Understanding Windows automatic updating

Applies to all editions of Windows Vista.

Here are answers to some common questions about updating Windows automatically.

	Why update Windows automatically?
	Because with automatic updating, you don't have to search for updates online or worry that critical fixes for Windows might be missing from your computer. Windows automatically checks for the latest updates for your computer. Depending on the Windows Update settings you choose, Windows can install updates automatically or just let you know they're available. For more information, see Turn automatic updating on or off.
	How do I start updating Windows automatically?
	If you haven't already, just turn on automatic updating. For more information, see Turn automatic updating on or off.
	How much does it cost to update Windows automatically?
	There is no charge to you for the Windows Update service. However, depending on how you are billed for your Internet connection, standard local and long distance phone charges and Internet service charges might apply for the time required to download an update.
	How long does it take to download an update?
	It depends on the type of Internet connection you have and the size and number of updates your computer needs. However, updates are automatically downloaded behind the scenes when you're online. They do not interfere with other downloads, and if you disconnect they will continue to download in the background the next time you go online.
	How does Windows determine which updates my computer needs?
	Windows Update contains software tools that detect information about your computer, such as the make and model and the version of Windows and other Microsoft software that your computer is running. Microsoft uses that information to install only the updates your computer needs. For more information, read the Windows Update privacy statement online.
	If I choose to update Windows automatically, do I still need to visit the Windows Update website?
	No. Windows will automatically install updates for your computer as they become available. Also, for this version of Windows, the website has been replaced by Windows Update in Control Panel. If you want to check for updates manually, follow these steps: 1. Open Windows Update by clicking the Start button , clicking All Programs, and then clicking Windows Update. 2. In the left pane, click Check for updates. To find out how to get updates for Windows and your other Microsoft programs such as Microsoft Office, go to the Microsoft Update website. If you're already using Microsoft Update to get updates for your computer, Windows Update in Control Panel will automatically open and display your update status.
	When are updates downloaded?
	Updates are downloaded behind the scenes when you're online. They do not interfere with other downloads. If you disconnect from the Internet before an update is fully downloaded, the download process will continue the next time you're online.
	When are updates installed?
	It depends on the automatic updating option you choose. If you choose the recommended option, updates are installed at 3:00 A.M. or on a schedule that you choose. If you turn off your computer before the scheduled time, you can install updates before shutting down. If your computer is in one of the power-saving states (Sleep or Hibernate) during a scheduled update, and if your computer is plugged in to a power source, Windows will wake your computer long enough to install new updates. If your computer is running on battery power, however, Windows will not install updates. Windows will try to install them instead at the next scheduled installation time. To schedule when Windows automatically installs updates: 1. Open Windows Update by clicking the Start button , clicking All Programs, and then clicking Windows Update. 2. In the left pane, click Change settings, and then make sure that the Install updates automatically (recommended) option is selected. 3. Choose the frequency and time of day when you want new updates to be installed, and then click OK. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
	Can I see which updates Windows has automatically installed?
	Yes. View the history in Windows Update in Control Panel, or go to Installed Updates: • Open Installed Updates by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Programs, and then, under Programs and Features, clicking View installed updates.
	Can I choose which updates Windows automatically installs?
	Yes. You can choose to install important updates only, or important and recommended updates. Optional updates are not installed automatically. Instead, you can choose to install them by reviewing available updates when you check for updates using Windows Update in Control Panel. For more information, see Turn automatic updating on or off and Change how Windows installs or notifies you about updates.
	Will I be notified if there's a problem and important updates have not been installed?
	Yes. Windows Update will notify you if security and other important updates cannot be installed. For more information, see Troubleshoot problems with installing updates.

Get security updates for Windows

Applies to all editions of Windows Vista.

Security updates for Windows can help protect against new and ongoing threats to your privacy and your computer. The best way to get security updates is to turn on Windows automatic updating and stay informed about security issues.

Turn on Windows automatic updating

When you turn on automatic updating, Windows can automatically install important updates (including security updates) and recommended updates for your computer as Microsoft releases them. For more information, see Turn automatic updating on or off and How can I tell if my computer is up to date?

Stay informed about the latest security issues

To learn about new security updates, find how-to articles and security tips, and get answers to security-related questions, go to the Microsoft Security at Home website for the free, monthly Security Newsletter for Home Users from Microsoft.

To learn how Microsoft monitors and responds to security issues, go to the Microsoft Security Response Center website. It offers tools such as an alert service, monthly webcast, blog, and Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds to help you stay current with security-related updates and information for Windows.

How can I tell if my computer is up to date?

Applies to all editions of Windows Vista.

Your computer is up to date when you've installed the latest updates for Windows and your programs. To check for Windows updates, follow these steps:

	1. Open Windows Update by clicking the Start button , clicking All Programs, and then clicking Windows Update. 2. In the left pane, click Check for updates, and then wait while Windows looks for the latest updates for your computer. 3. If any updates are found, click Install updates. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

To check for updates for other software programs and devices, go to the publisher's or manufacturer's website.

To see how to get updates for Windows and other Microsoft programs at the same time, including updates for Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and more), go to the Microsoft Update website. If you're already using Microsoft Update, which works with Windows automatic updating, Windows Update in Control Panel will automatically open and display your update status. Some programs, such as antivirus or spyware monitoring programs, provide a link to check for updates from within the program. Some software publishers also offer subscription services and can notify you when new updates are available. It's a good idea to check for updates for your security-related programs first, and then for the programs or devices you use most often.

Turn automatic updating on or off

Applies to all editions of Windows Vista.

To have Windows install important updates as they become available, turn on automatic updating. Important updates provide significant benefits, such as improved security and reliability. You can also set Windows to automatically install recommended updates, which can address non-critical problems and help enhance your computing experience. Optional updates are not downloaded or installed automatically. To learn more about the types of updates that Microsoft publishes, see this Knowledge Base article on the Microsoft Help and Support website.

1. Open Windows Update by clicking the Start button , clicking All Programs, and then clicking Windows Update. 2. In the left pane, click Change settings. 3. Choose the option that you want. 4. Under Recommended updates, select the Include recommended updates when downloading, installing, or notifying me about updates check box, and then click OK. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

How To install Updates for windows VISTA.

Using Windows Update in Windows Vista

Windows Update can be set up to automatically download and install both Important updates and Recommended updates in Windows Vista. This is the simplest way to make sure your PC stays up to date—just set it up and forget it.

Note: To help prevent unexpected changes in how your PC works, Microsoft may sometimes ask you to accept an update before it's installed, even if you have automatic settings selected.

Choose how Windows will install updates

Turning on Windows Update is simple. As you set up your new PC, you'll be asked if you want to "Help protect Windows automatically." Just select one of the green shield options (see screen shot below) and Windows Update will check for, download, and install new updates for your PC.

Microsoft recommends the first option "Use recommended settings" so that you automatically receive all Important and Recommended updates. Microsoft also recommends that you turn on other features such as the Internet Explorer Phishing Filter to help protect your PC and personal information.

The second option "Install important updates only" will check for, download, and automatically install only Important updates.

You can also change the automatic update settings anytime with the Windows Update control panel. And you can review and install Optional updates from the panel.

To do change the automatic update settings

1. Open Windows Update (click the Start button, click All Programs, and then click Windows Update).
2. Select Change Settings and choose how you want Windows to install updates.

Switching from Windows Update to Microsoft Update

Do you have other Microsoft products besides Windows? Microsoft Update helps you update Windows and many other Microsoft programs that you've installed, such as Microsoft Office, all in one place.

To turn on Microsoft Update in Windows Vista

1. Open Windows Update (click the Start button, click All Programs, and then click Windows Update).
2. Click the Get updates for more products button. (Note: If this button does not appear, it's likely you've already enabled Microsoft Update. This may happen when you installed other software programs like Microsoft Office 2007. In this case, the phrase "You receive updates: For Windows and other products from Microsoft Update" should appear near the bottom of the window.)
3. Follow the instructions to use Microsoft Update. Windows Update will begin to scan your PC for available updates for Windows and other Microsoft products if you have automatic updating turned on.

Installing optional updates and drivers

To install Optional updates, just select them from the list of updates that Windows finds for your PC. Optional updates are not installed automatically.

To install Optional updates

1. Open Windows Update (click the Start button, click All Programs, and then click Windows Update).
2. In the left pane, click Check for updates, and then wait while Windows looks for the latest updates for your PC.
   
3. If any updates are found, click View available updates.
   
4. Select the Optional updates that you want, and then click Install. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Note: If you are offered an Optional update that you don't want to install, you can simply right click and select Hide update and it will not appear on the list the next time you use the update service. If you discover that you do want it, simply select Restore Hidden Updates.

Ho To Install High Priority (Critical) Updates For Windows XP.

Microsoft periodically releases critical and security updates to its operating systems, such as Windows XP, and its Internet Explorer web browser. We recommend that you scan for these High Priority - Critical updates and install them as soon as you see the alert.
You can manually scan for and install High Priority (e.g. Critical) Updates for your computer by following these steps.

These steps are written for computers with Windows XP :

How to install High Priority (Critical) Updates Automatically :

1. Your EN computer has been configured to automatically download High Priority - Critical updates when they are available.
2. You will see an alert pop up in your notification area (lower right corner of screen). The icon should appear appear as an upright Shield. See below. Notice the difference between the High Priority shield on the left and the Symantec AntiVirus shield on the right.
   
   
   
   
3. If you place the mouse over the icon, you will see a message similar to the one below.
   
   

1. Click on the upright Shield.
   
   Note: You will see two choice at this screen: Express Install (Recommended) & Custom Install (Advanced).
   
   
   
   Note: If you click Custom Install (Advanced), you see a list of the updates to be installed. you can then select which updates to install.
   
   
2. Normally, you will click on the Express Install (Recommended) button. Then click Install and install all High-priority updates required for your computer.
   
   Please DO NOT delay applying these High Priority updates.

How to Verify that High Priority (Critical) Updates have been applied

If your computer is set to download and install updates automatically, you may never see the upright Shield or the World. You can easily check to see if updates have been applied for you. Open Internet Explorer. From the Tools menu choose Windows Update. After the Windows Update page loads, click the View Installation History link on the left. This will display the list of updates and the date applied.

How to install High Priority (Critical) Updates Manually

Depending on the version of the 'update' website you visit, you may be prompted to click either a link or a button in Step 3 below. Choose the one that matches your screen. Open Internet Explorer. From the Tools menu choose Windows Update. Microsoft Update site: Click Express. Windows Update site: Click Express Install (Recommended): High Priority Updates for Your Computer. Note: After starting the scan and waiting for several seconds, you may see the message: Software Upgrade for Some Windows Components Required . If you see this, click Download and Install Now. This will download and install the Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool. When finished, click Close. Click Continue to re-start the scanning process. If any items are found and you are using the Microsoft Update site, click Review and install updates and then click Install Updates. If any items are found and you are using Windows Update site: Click Install. If High-priority items are NOT found, close the browser window. Wait while the updates are downloaded and installed. If you are asked to Restart the computer, please do so. Once the computer restarts, repeat Steps 1 - 7 until all the High Priority (e.g. Critical) Updates are applied. When this happens, you won't find any listed in Step 4.

How to Update to Microsoft Update

The Microsoft Update Web site provides updates for Microsoft operating systems and programs. Microsoft Update is an optional service that you can use to update both Microsoft Windows operating systems and other Microsoft products. In contrast, when you use Microsoft Windows Update, you access only updates for Microsoft Windows operating systems. These steps will show you how to enable Microsoft Update. ICT recommends a switch to Microsoft Update since it combines the search for both Windows and Office updates into one. The new system is named "Microsoft Update," and it requires installation of Active-X software. Visit the following Microsoft Web site: http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate Note: If you don't see the 'Start Now" button as indicated in Step 2, but instead see a "Welcome to Microsoft Update" screen as well Express and Custom buttons, STOP. The computer is already using the Microsoft Update Web site. Click Start Now. On the Review the license agreement page, click Continue. Note: The Information Bar is displayed when potentially dangerous actions on a Web page have been blocked. The Information Bar appears between the toolbar and the content window in Internet Explorer. When you reach this point, you should see a warning message about needing to install an ActiveX control. Click the message in the Information Bar that says This site might require the following ActiveX control: 'Microsoft Update' from Microsoft Corporation'. Click here to install... and select Install ActiveX Control.... You will see a dialog box prompting you to install Microsoft Update. Click Install. When it finishes, the Microsoft Update Web site displays the current Automatic Updates configuration. If it is set to be Automatic Updates: ON, you will see a Check for Updates button. If it is OFF, you will see a Change Setting button, click Change setting, and then set the schedule to download and install updates. Click Check for Updates. If additional software is needed for the Microsoft Update site, you will be prompted to install the latest version of some Windows components. Click Download and Install Now. Wait while this software is installed. Click Close. Click Continue. The site will now start "Checking for the latest updates for your computer...". Note You may see items listed from both Windows and Office. See below. If any items are found, click Review and install updates and then click Install Updates. When you go to the Tools menu and select Windows Update you will be taken to the Microsoft Update website. The "Custom" button from Microsoft Update is may be used to if needed to reinstall a failed High Priority download. The "Software, Optional" and "Hardware, Optional" listed by this process are roughly the same as the "Optional Updates or "Recommended Updates" from the old Update processes. For more information on Microsoft Update, visit Microsoft's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Page.