Windows Update

A critical service, Windows Update enables you to patch security holes in your installation of Windows XP or Vista.  Windows installations that are not kept up-to-date are one of the primary sources of network disruption, slowdown, and other problems.  See the instructions below to update your version of XP or Vista.

Windows Update for Windows XP

Note: You need a working Internet connection to perform the Windows Update.

If you aren't already running Windows Update regularly, the first thing you should do is a manual run:

• Click the Start button and choose All Programs.
• Click the Windows Update icon near the top of the list.

Internet Explorer will launch and load the Windows Update site.  If you cannot find the Windows Update icon, simply open Internet Explorer and enter the following address into the Address Bar: http://update.microsoft.com.

• If this is your first time running Windows Update, you may have to click Yes on a dialog box that pops up.
• Install any Active-X Controls as prompted.
• If you want to simply download and install critical updates on your computer, click the Express button.
• To review and install optional software and hardware updates, click Custom.

These optional updates are not considered necessary by Microsoft but often improve the performance and functionality of your computer.  If any optional updates are available, they will be listed in the left pane.

• In the left pane, click on the Software link.
• Scroll down and click the checkboxes for each update you would like to install.
• Repeat the previous two steps for the Hardware link.

To download and install selected updates:

• Click the Install Updates link in the left pane.
• Click the Install Updates button.
• A dialog box will display showing the download and installation progress.  This often takes several minutes.
• When the download and installation are complete, you may be prompted to restart your computer.  If so, click the Restart Now button.

Configuring Automatic Updates for Windows XP

Once you've done a manual update of your Windows XP software, you can configure Windows to check for updates automatically.  Windows will alert you when updates are available and ready to be installed.

Note: You must have Administrator rights on your Windows account in order to configure Windows Update.

To configure Automatic Updates:

• Click the Start button.
• Choose Start > Settings > Control Panel > System (or right click on My Computer and choose Properties). 

The System Properties control panel will display.

• Click on the Automatic Updates tab.

Make the appropriate changes. It is often convenient to set windows to download and install updates at a time when you won't be using your computer so a restart won't interfere with your work.

• Click the OK button to save your settings.

Windows Update for Windows Vista

Note: You will need a working Internet connection to perform Windows Update.

• Click Start > All Programs and then click Windows Update.
• In the left pane, click Check for updates.

It will take the application a few minutes to compile a list of necessary updates for your computer.  When the search is complete it will tell you how many updates are available.

• To download the high priority updates, click Install Updates when prompted.
• To view a list of all available updates (both high priority and optional) click View available updates.
• Decide which optional updates you want to download and install; check the boxes next to each one.
• Click Install.

The progress bar will show how far along the installation is. This process could take a while depending on the size and number of updates being installed.

Certain updates require that you restart your computer before they can be fully installed. If prompted to do so, click the Restart Now button.

Configuring Automatic Updates for Vista

Instead of having to manually search for and download updates, Windows Update can be configured to automatically download and install updates as they become available.  To configure Windows Update to automatically install updates, do the following:

• Open Windows Update.
• Click on Change Settings in the left pane.
• To have Windows automatically install updates click Install Updates Automatically (recommended).
• Choose the times you want updates to take place.  It is often convenient to set Windows to download and install updates at a time when you won't be using your computer; this way it won't interfere with your work.
• Click OK to save your settings.