How To's: Windows Update

Introduction

This document outlines how to perform a Windows Update on your Microsoft Windows PC. Microsoft's Windows Update is a relatively easy way for securing you computer. Without updates, simply attaching the computer to the network or visiting a malicious web site could allow third parties to take control of your computer, your accounts, and your files. Two steps of updating Windows are by either using Automatic Updates or update Windows from the website.

The method to perform updates are as follows:

• Updates by enabling automatic updates:
  
  Windows Update can be set up to automatically download and install both important updates and recommended updates in Windows. This is the simplest way to make sure your PC stays up to date, just set it up and forget it.

• To Turn On Automatic Updates on Windows Vista:
  
  
  • Open Windows Update (click the Start button, click All Programs, and then click Windows Update)
    
    
  • Select Change Settings and choose Install Updates Automatically (Recommended)
    
    
    
    
  • Change the time of update if necessary
    
    
• To turn on Automatic Updates in Windows XP (SP2):
  
  
  • Click Start, then click on Control Pane
    
    
  • Click Automatic Updates
    
    
  • Choose Automatic (Recommended)
    
    
    
    
  • Change the time of update if necessary

• Updating Windows from the website
  
  
  • Start Internet Explorer
    
    
  • Browse to http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/
    *The website will check to see if you have the latest version of the Windows Update program on your computer.
    
    
  • Choose Express to check for High-priority updates. Windows Update will check for High-priority updates for your PC and display them for your review. Select the updates you want, and then click Install Updates
    
    
    
    
  • After applying any critical updates you must revisit Windows Update web site until you are told there are no more critical updates needed. Otherwise, you will still be vulnerable. Some updates can only be applied after earlier ones are applied.

References:

• http://www.mcg.edu/itss/help/security/windowsupdate.htm
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/windowsupdate/learn/windowsvista.mspx
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/windowsupdate/learn/windowsxp.mspx