1. An intelligent network-connected thermostat for controlling an operation of an HVAC system in a smart home environment, the thermostat comprising: a communications component for communicating with at least one server that is located remotely from the thermostat; HVAC control circuitry operable to actuate one or more elements of the HVAC system; a storage element for storing computer software operable to control one or more functions of the thermostat; and a processor operable to cause the thermostat to perform operations including: receiving a criticality indicator indicating whether a software update to the computer software stored in the storage element is critical or not; downloading the software update from a software update server via the communications component; determining whether an initial installation of the thermostat is currently taking place; installing the software update prior to a completion of the initial installation of the thermostat if the criticality indicator indicates that the software update is critical; and delaying, if the criticality indicator indicates that the software update is not critical, installation of the software update until after the initial installation of the thermostat in the physical structure is complete.