I would (1) Install I.E.8, restart the PC and then (2) install SP2.  Silverlight is an optional install but it won't hurt anything to install it.  Some web content requires Silverlight.  After everything is installed you will probably get more updates, which will then make you current with the Microsoft updates. Everything you posted is nice, but it would require hours of research to try and find out what everything is.  
I have been hesitant to upgrade to IE8 & SP2 but now realize that I have to eventualy and it's been long enough since their initial release -- but I want to run a few things past experienced Dell owners before I do. Since IE8 showed up on the Windows Update list on 5/7/09, I've ignored it (not hidden it), turned off automatic installs (to avoid WU installing IE8) and not installed any updates save Windows Defender definition updates (but nothing new showed up in the WU list anyway -- only SP2 when IE8 is hidden -- until 6/9/09).  These are the most recent updates via WU that have been installed on my system (ignoring Windows Defender Definition updates): 6/4/09 Update for Windows Vista (KB955430)*5/13/09 Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - May 2009 (KB890830)*5/13/09 Update for Windows Mail Junk E-mail Filter [May 2009] (KB905866)*4/14/09 Security Update for Windows Vista (KB960803)  4/14/09 Security Update for Windows Vista (KB952004) 4/14/09 Update for Windows Mail Junk E-mail Filter [April 2009] (KB905866) 4/14/09 Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - April 2009 (KB890830) 4/14/09 Security Update for Windows Vista (KB956572) 4/14/09 Security Update for Windows Vista (KB959426) 4/14/09 Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Vista (KB963027)  *Strange thing about the first three updates is that I had turned off automatic installs to avoid WU installing IE8.  I didn't install them manually, but yet they show up in "update history."  Are some updates just too important that they'll get installed immediately regardless of user setting or what?   On 6/9/09, I received 10 new Windows Updates, including what appears to be a new update for IE8 (23.5 MB as opposed 15.6 MB for the earlier version). Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Vista (KB969897)Internet Explorer 8 for Windows VistaSecurity Update for Windows Vista (KB961501)Security Update for Windows Vista (KB968537)Security Update for Windows Vista (KB970238)Update Rollup for ActiveX Killbits for Windows Vista (KB969898)Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - June 2009 (KB890830)Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista (KB967632)Update for Windows Mail Junk E-mail Filter [June 2009] (KB905866)Security Update for Microsoft Works 8 (KB967043) My concern is that I may have strayed from MS's timed upgrades for IE & Vista.  I had avoided IE8 and thus not been allowed (by WU) to update to Vista SP2.  Would this cause problems for subsequent updates? In what order should I install IE8 & SP2?  Do I install all the latest Windows Updates before I install IE8 & SP2 or just the one update for IE7 then install IE8, SP2 and then the rest of the updates?   Should I install IE8 & SP2 via Windows Update or the stand alone versions? Also, should I install MS Silverlight?  It's been on my Windows Update list as optional since 2/25/09.  I have not installed it since I'm always wary of optional MS software.  But now it seems that I may need it for when I upgrade to IE8. I need advice on how to proceed from here to insure a smooth and successfull installation of all the necessary & useful updates, IE8 and Vista SP2 to end up with a stable (and hopefully) faster/improved system. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.
Neep help with Windows Update, IE8, and Vista SP2.