So if I like my WIN 8.1, I don't actually NEED the periodic 8.1 updates they send me?
“So if I like my WIN 8.1, I don’t actually NEED the periodic 8.1 updates they send me?”
Well, that depends on how you define “need”. You don’t “need” them for your computer to continue to function as it has in the past, no. However, as new bugs or hackable exploits are discovered, you would “need” those updates turned on in order to get them patched.
Without updates turned on, you’ll probably be fine, but there is a chance you could fall prey to some bug or security hole that other users would be protected against.