>I'm working on a project where the client will want to make future updates available to users from the web. With the way the software will be distributed initially, I should be able to count on the fact that all necessary runtime files have already been loaded on the users machine, & I'm thinking future updates via download should be a no brainer. Is there anything else I need to consider now, to make future download releases/updates simple?

I don't think you can count on the fact. Look at the current state of our runtime or VB's for that matter. But other than that I would make it as Simple for the user as possible. Click from app that connects, checks, and updates as needed. PIA on you end but, Hey that what you get the big bucks for. :)

Jeff