Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates (824684)

MORE INFORMATION

• Connector
  
  Definition: A connector is a software component that is designed to support connections between software.
• Critical Update
  
  Definition: A critical update is a broadly released fix for a specific problem that addresses a critical, non-security-related bug.
  
  Additional Information: Critical updates are available for customers to download and are accompanied by a Microsoft Knowledge Base article.
• Development Kit
  
  Definition: A development kit is software that is designed to help developers to write new programs. Development kits typically include a visual builder, an editor, and a compiler.
• Driver
  
  Definition: A driver is a software component that is designed to support new hardware.
• Feature Pack
  
  Definition: A feature pack is new product functionality that is first distributed outside the context of a product release and that is typically included in the next full product release.
• Guidance
  
  Definition: Guidance includes scripts, sample code, and technical documentation that is designed to help deploy and use a product or a technology.
• Hotfix
  
  Definition: A hotfix is a single, cumulative package that includes one or more files that are used to address a problem in a product. Hotfixes address a specific customer situation and may not be distributed outside the customer organization.
  
  Additional Information: Hotfixes are distributed by Microsoft Product Support Services. Customers may not redistribute hotfixes without written, legal consent from Microsoft.
• Security Update
  
  Definition: A security update is a broadly released fix for a product-specific, security-related vulnerability. Security vulnerabilities are rated based on their severity. The severity rating is indicated in the Microsoft security bulletin as critical, important, moderate, or low.
  
  Additional Information: Microsoft security updates are available for customers to download and are accompanied by two documents: a security bulletin and a Microsoft Knowledge Base article. For more information about the format of Microsoft Knowledge Base articles for Microsoft security updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  824689 Description of the format of Microsoft Knowledge Base articles for Microsoft security updates

• Service Pack
  
  Definition: A service pack is a tested, cumulative set of all hotfixes, security updates, critical updates, and updates. Service packs may also contain additional fixes for problems that are found internally since the release of the product and a limited number of customer-requested design changes or features.
  
  Additional Information: Microsoft service packs are available for download and are accompanied by Microsoft Knowledge Base articles.
• Software Update
  
  Definition: A software update is any update, update rollup, service pack, feature pack, critical update, security update, or hotfix that is used to improve or to fix a software product that is released by Microsoft Corporation.
  
  Additional Information: A Microsoft software update is accompanied by a Microsoft Knowledge Base article.
• Tool
  
  Definition: A tool is a utility or a feature that helps to complete a task or a set of tasks.
• Update
  
  Definition: An update is a broadly released fix for a specific problem. An update addresses a non-critical, non-security-related bug.
  
  Additional Information: Microsoft updates are available for customers to download and are accompanied by a Microsoft Knowledge Base article.
• Update Rollup
  
  Definition: An update rollup is a tested, cumulative set of hotfixes, security updates, critical updates, and updates that are packaged together for easy deployment. A rollup generally targets a specific area, such as security, or a component of a product, such as Internet Information Services (IIS).
  
  Additional Information: Microsoft update rollups are available for customers to download and are accompanied by a Microsoft Knowledge Base article.
• Upgrade
  
  Definition: An upgrade is a software package that replaces an installed version of a product with a newer version of the same product. The upgrade process typically leaves existing customer data and preferences intact while replacing the existing software with the newer version.