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A recent report from Microsoft serves as a reminder of how important Windows updates can be.

The report, titled “Microsoft Security Intelligence Report, Volume 12,” details how computers with Windows Vista Service Pack 1 are more likely to be infected with viruses than other versions of Windows, even more than Windows XP Service Pack 3. Unknown to most Windows users, the currency of a versions’ “Service Pack” level can be more important than whether they are using the latest version of the operating system, itself.

There are three versions of Microsoft’s Windows operating system that can be considered safe for normal consumers to use: Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. However, no version is safe unless it has been updated to the latest Service Pack level. For Windows XP, that level is Service Pack 3 (SP3). For Vista, it’s Service Pack 2 (SP2) and for Windows 7, Service Pack 1 (SP1).

Service Packs are part of the Windows Update process. If you’ve been paying attention over the years, you know there have been many hundreds of updates, fixes and “patches” (just like patching holes in a leaky boat) released for all versions of Windows. As the number of updates increases and becomes more unwieldy, Microsoft bundles all the currently-released updates into one, giant update and calls it a Service Pack.

As a version of Windows sees more use over time, more Service Packs become available for that particular version. That is why there are three Service Packs available for Windows XP and only one for Windows 7; Windows 7 hasn’t been around as long as XP. The longer you use your computer, you, as a responsible computer user, are expected to update your computer to its latest Service Pack level, because Microsoft will not support the old levels forever.

SP1 for Windows Vista, the subject of Microsoft’s previously-mentioned report, was released in February, 2008. SP2 for Vista was released in April, 2009. Microsoft stopped supporting SP1 in July, 2011, two years after people should have updated to SP2. This meant that slackers still using SP1 would get no more updates, patches or security fixes. This situation continues today, and explains why a computer running Windows XP with SP3 is more secure than one running Vista SP1. SP3 is the latest service pack for XP, while SP1 is not the latest pack for Vista.

If all this talk of updates and Service Packs makes your head hurt, you are not alone. I know people who are actually filled with anger and hate over the situation. I used to get pretty peeved about it, too, but not any more. I have come to realize that getting emotional over computer updates is counterproductive. Far better to roll with the punches, update my computer and be happy than waste energy being upset over something I can’t change.

To find out the Service Pack level of your version of Windows, go to Control Panel and click System. Depending on how your computer is configured, you may or may not need to click System and Security. Somewhere in the System area you will find out what version of Windows you are using and what Service Pack is installed. If your computer is not using the latest Service Pack, invest the required time to get it, and be happy.