[TheRealDunkirk]

> As a Windows developer and somebody who actually likes using Windows, I'm still shocked by how pathetic Windows Update is.

Heh. My workstation in my cubicle at the office is getting a hard drive replacement right now because some update left it stuck at startup, saying "Windows is configuring things. Please do not turn off your computer." (Or something to that effect.) I get it; if it takes longer than 15 minutes to fix, core IT is going to re-image the drive, but now I have to reinstall Visual Studio and SQL Server, and patch, and patch, and patch. And always be afraid that it will just happen again some day.

[dragonwriter]

Seems to me that while the Windows Update hanging is a problem there, at least as big of a problem is that your "core IT" is only keeping base images of systems rather than images of complete-and-current builds with applications and current patches.

[TheRealDunkirk]

Your IT/PC guys keep images with Visual Studio and SQL Server? Yes, please. It was a major hassle getting approved for the PARTIAL-admin account just to so I could install those things.

[dragonwriter]

> Your IT/PC guys keep images with Visual Studio and SQL Server?

Well, I've known of shops where IT keeps complete role-specific (e.g., developer, etc.) or even individual-computer images rather than just generic base images. Or at least have IT track software installed per-user and handle rebuilds even if they use a generic base image. Where I work they don't, unfortunately, but I would never not call that out as a problem.

Common practices and good practices are often not the same thing.

[egeozcan]

Just a suggestion: Using Virtual Machines is a good idea for your development environment. You can backup regularly and experiment freely.

[TheRealDunkirk]

And this would be where I would put my extra Windows licenses, or MSDN account, IF I HAD ANY. </dramatic cat stare>