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Windows Updates
One of the most important articles on our site - learn what
Windows updates are and how to apply them. It's easier than you
think.
Background
Windows Updates are software patches
(little programs) that are released from Microsoft on an (almost)
monthly basis. New releases typically come out the second Tuesday of
every month.
These patches fix problems with Windows, make
your computer more stable, but most commonly address security
issues.
When a security hole is found in Microsoft Windows,
malicious people can sometimes exploit the vulnerability. It can be
done in person, via email or over the Internet.
This means
someone could retrieve information from your computer, install
software or take control of your computer (depending on the severity
of the security hole).
To help prevent this, you should
regularly install the Windows patches released from Microsoft.
Update Now!
Fortunately, this process is very easy to do.
Simply visit Microsoft's Windows Update at least once a month.
When visiting this website, you may be prompted to install
additional software to continue. Verify that the software has
Microsoft as the publisher, then proceed with the installation. You
also may get a message stating that you must download and install
newer software.
Eventually you will have 2 buttons -
"Express" and "Custom". Press the "Express". You will get a progress
bar that says "Checking for the latest updates for your computer..."
This progress bar may take a while.
Eventually the web page
will return another button called "Install Updates". Choose this
button then follow the instructions on completing the installation.
This process will take some time depending on the amount of
updates as well as the speed of your computer and Internet
connection.
When the updates are finished, you may be asked
to restart. Do so, then return to Microsoft's Windows Update and
continue this process until the web page says there are no more
critical updates.
Automate Your Updates
Depending on your
version of Windows, you may be able to automate Windows Updates.
This is highly recommended.
To see if automatic updates are
possible and enabled: Click on Start, then "Control Panel." (Some
versions of Windows would require you to click on Start, then
"Settings", then "Control Panel".
Once the Control Panel has
opened, look for automatic updates. If you do not see it, your
version of Windows does not support automatic updates.
Double-click on "Automatic Updates". This will open the Automatic
Updates window. Make the sure first selection is chosen, "Automatic
(recommended)". We recommend "Every day" and "3:00 AM". Click OK to
close the Automatic Updates window and close the Control Panel.
Your computer is now set to automatically update itself. It
certainly does not hurt to try a manual update every now and then by
visiting Microsoft's Windows Update. Update now if you haven't done
so lately!
Updates For Your Business
If your business has
multiple computers, Microsoft has a free product available called
Windows Software Update Services (WSUS).
It is software you
install onto your server that allows you to run your own Windows
Update Server in-house. This reduces the amount of bandwidth used by
updates, but mainly gives you great control over updates well as
good reporting. Visiting the WSUS website for more information.
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