That's why I only install the "hotf*ckses" when absolutely necessary - like the Blaster patch.
Here's what I install when I format a new computer (after changing almost ALL of Windows' default settings, like Sys Restore, the view setup, disabling auto-update, changing to Silver look, etc.):
- WinRAR
- IE 6 SP1 (if Windows XP isn't SP1 prepatched)
- DirectX 9.0b
- Blaster patch (Google for "Blaster", open the Symantec Blaster alert page, find that link to the MS security bulletin, and download the patch as a standalone)
- Google Toolbar
- Acrobat 5 reader (
http://www.oldversion.com - 6 is bloatware)
- Winamp 2.91 if on an older computer, Winamp 5 if a new computer
I haven't had any problems with not updating yet. Just never install SP1 unless your windows install was pre-patched for SP1. A post-install SP1 upgrade is horribly laggy and you'll never see good speed again. XP runs just great on my 380MHz K6-2 w/160MB RAM... in fact, that's what I'm on now. And having none of those pointless paranoia-patches installed leaves a lot of free RAM (yes, patches end up taking extra RAM too!) for me to run Photoshop 7 flawlessly on here, while browsing the Net and running Winamp.