Using classic Outlook for Windows in business environments
..... for trying to help a retired senior with this process! As, you know,
Just for the record, I'm also a retired senior not that it matters any. As a comparison, "guys" are supposed to know about everything "car" related. Suffice it to say, in that regard my major achievement was/is the rank of "major clutz extraordinare" when it came to "fixing" anything, that's why mechanics were created- it's all relative <g>
But on a serious note - answers to your questions
#1 - Re: the update
Since you're not sure of what has been installed, would first do the Windows update and then do the stand-alone package. It won't hurt anything to do both, If the update is already installed after the Windows Update, the worst that's going to happen is that you'll get an error message to that effect.
#2 - Re: registry backup
What I'm about to say may be considered heresy by somebut I wouldn't be all that concerned about it if you use the <Easy Fix> method which is what I would recommend