An Update or Upgrade To My Software Is Available
Don't Automatically Install Every Update On Day 1
When Adobe, or Microsoft notifies you there is an update available, don't automatically click to install. Are you having problems? If not, it wouldn't hurt to wait until the problems have been reported and resolved. "If it ain't broke, it don't need fixing." Those people with arrows sticking out of their backs? They were called pioneers. I have practically always installed any update to a software package that comes down the pike. I mean, after all, they wouldn't have released the update if it didn't make everything work better, right? After a disaster or two, I have become a bit reticent about that strategy. If you want to hear horror stories about this, just look around.
Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to do a little poking around using Google before you take the leap.
Any Problems Reported
A good practice might be to Google the update (Be sure to use exact nomenclature described in the update). Look for comments that show in the search results. In particular, pay attention if you see the word "problem", After you have searched Google, then go to the vendors support site. If they have a blog, by all means check it out. People who have been burned aren't reluctant to cry out. Also, if they have a forum. Log in there and look for installation problems or hangups, any thing that would not be welcome news if it happened to you.
Can You Afford To Do Without Your Computer A Few Days?
If you cannot afford to do without your computer for a few days, then don't update either your hardware. Remember Murphy's Law..If anything can go wrong, it will and at the worst possible time. Also, remember, Murphy was an optimist!
After you have done all of the research and decided the upgrade is a good thing, then hold off until a time where you can do without your PC a few days.