14 April 2003

Updating Windows

You can update Windows XP manually by choosing Start, All Programs, Windows Update. In Windows 98, Me, and 2000, this option is listed at the top of the Start menu.

Windows XP and 2000 offer an Automatic Updates feature to ensure that you always have the latest Windows fixes. In Windows XP, you can turn Automatic Updates on from the System Properties dialog box. Open the Control Panel and choose System. Next, choose the Automatic Updates tab; turn the feature on, if necessary, by clicking the check box “Keep my computer up to date” at the top. Choose one of the options for how you want to handle updates. For Windows 2000, you set options by going to Control Panel, Automatic Updates.

If you want a lot of control over what's being installed (or don't want to be a guinea pig for brand-new updates), choose the option to have the system notify you before downloading updates and again before installing them. This lets you review what updates are available and decide whether to download and install them on a case-by-case basis. However, remember, it's a good idea to install security updates as soon as they are available.

You can manually select and download the updates by visiting Microsoft’s Windows Update Page. Windows Update scans your computer and provides you with a selection of updates tailored for you. You can choose which updates to download and install.