So, I primarily use my Nook for reading library books. I have very few times to need to have any kind of WiFi connection and I normally leave it in airplane mode to conserve the battery and simply recharge from the wall plug when needed.

Today I bought a book and when I downloaded it, the Nook starts an automatic update and completely wiped out all my content. Turns out I had missed three major updates and when I hooked it back on, I crashed my ereader.

Good news is that I was able to retrieve all my B&N purchases and the majority of my sideloads. There are a couple of files I couldn't get to reload from my desktop into ADE. What was odd is that ADE was wiped clean as well. The only things on there were my downloaded library books. I think I have found most of my files and got them reloaded.

But, word to the wise- once a month or so, make sure you go hook into  the WiFi and go to "My B&N library" and go to "Checking for new content" and go get a cup of coffee or something to give it a chance to do any updates. I was only going to "check new content" when I bought something instead of looking for regular updates and I really gave myself a mess today.

See, I don't have that problem because I am on facebook and there are several groups on fb that let you know about free ebooks available for the Nook on a daily basis. So, just about every day, I am adding new content to my Nook, either free or at reduced prices. And that keeps it updated.

YAY! A problem  that my compulsive bargain-hunting & shopping solves! Yipee!

While your charging it you should leave it on & on the wifi mode so it Can update. 

For the Touch, you can manually install an update without the wifi, currently 1.0.1.

Instructions Here. Under "Get Version 1.0.1 Today".

Basically, connect it up, then download the update, drag and drop to the Nook and restart. Mine wasn't updating on it's own after I purchased it, but this was easy to do myself.