18 October 2003

Windows 98 Updates

Users of Windows XP and 2000 have a feature that automatically updates their Windows installation. Windows 98 and Me users can easily manually update their systems.

On the Start menu, click the Windows Update icon. It will take you to Microsoft’s Windows' Update Page http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp. The page includes new releases, upgrades, and critical updates to the Windows software.

When you visit the Product Updates section of Windows Update, you'll be offered the option of having a program automatically check your computer to see which system components are installed and whether new components, upgrades, or enhancements specific to your computer are available. Downloading whatever is recommended will ensure that your system stays completely up-to-date.

Windows Update also offers Critical Update Notification, an automatic service that will notify you whenever a critical update to Windows 98 is available. If an update is available, you will receive a message when you log on to the Internet. The message gives you the option to download the update immediately, or postpone until a time more convenient for you. Downloading critical updates keeps your computer up-to-date and protected from potential security issues.

Follow these steps if you do not have the Start Menu Link for Windows Update.

1. Click on Start, Settings, Task Bar & Start Menu.
2. Click the Start Menu Programs tab, click Add, and then click Browse.
3. Locate the Wupdmgr.exe file, click it, and then click Open. You can find this file in the \Windows folder (usually on the C drive). If you cannot locate the file, you may have to reinstall it. For information about how to do so, see the "Reinstall the Wupdmgr.exe File" section later in this Tutor Tip.
4. Click Next.
5. Click the Start Menu folder, and then click Next.
6. Change the name of the shortcut from "Wupdmgr.exe" to Windows Update, and then click Finish.
7. Click Start, and then click Windows Update.

Reinstall the Wupdmgr.exe File
If you can’t locate the Wupdmgr.exe file, it can be reinstalled following these steps:

1. Insert the Windows 98 CD into the CD-ROM drive.
2. If a list of Windows 98 options appears automatically, select Browse this CD. If this list does not appear, double-click the My Computer icon, and then double-click your CD-ROM drive to display the list of options.
3. Double-click the Win98 folder.
4. Locate the Win98_43.cab file, and then double-click it.
5. Right-click the Wupdmgr.exe file, and then click Extract.
6. When prompted to select the location where you want to save this file, select the Windows folder, and then click OK.
7. Click Start, and then click Windows Update.