Southern Iowa's Leading Office Outfitters

                      • Home • Up • News • Services • Downloads • Tech Tips •             

Update Your PC

 

Home
Up
Protect your PC
Security Alerts
What's New
Service Call
Promotions
F.A.Q
Terms of Sale
Contact Us
About Baileys
Careers
 

 

Updating your Microsoft software

Copy write Microsoft Corp.
 
**
Related Links
•Windows Update
•Office Update
**
 
Man looking at computer monitor

Windows Update is an online service that you can use to download free updates to Microsoft software. Read on to learn how you can download free updates from Windows Update. We'll also tell you about Windows Automatic Updates, which automatically downloads updates for you. (Not available for all versions of Windows.)

What does Windows Update do?

Windows Update is an online section of the Microsoft Web site that offers the latest updates for Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer, and other Microsoft software programs. Check out Windows Update periodically and follow these steps to help keep your computer current—and safe.

1.When you are connected to the Internet, click Start. Point to All Programs, and then click Windows Update. (If you are using an older version of Windows, these directions may be slightly different, or the Windows Update service may not be available.)
2.You can use Windows Update to download both critical security updates and optional updates that aren't as critical.

If you're in a hurry, click Express Install (Recommended).

If you're interested in browsing all of the updates available (including critical and security updates), click Custom Install.

Note  If you haven't been to Windows Update in a while, you may be asked to download the newest version.

3.Windows Update will scan your computer and give you a list of recommended updates. Remember, this is for certain Microsoft products only. (Microsoft does not collect any information that could be used to identify you during this process.)

Tip

Tip  To get updates for Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Office programs, be sure to use Office Update.

4.Browse through the list of updates and click the box next to the ones you want to install. If you've chosen Custom Install, you should always include all critical updates. For a full description of any item, click Read more.
5.When you've chosen all the updates you want, click Go to install updates, and then click Install.
 

How to activate Windows Automatic Updates

If you're the sort of person who's unlikely to visit Windows Update regularly, you can opt to get automatic updates from Microsoft so you don't have to remember to check for critical updates that help to keep your computer secure. If you're running Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), the Automatic Updates feature is probably already turned on. You can check by visiting the Windows Update Web site.

Note  Microsoft does not offer the Automatic Updates service for Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT.

1.Click your version of Windows below and follow the instructions for how to turn on Automatic Updates:
•Windows XP Home and XP Pro 
•Windows Me
•Windows 2000 
Tip

Tip  If you don't know what version of Windows you're using, use our directions to check your computer.

2.Each time there's a new update, a balloon will pop up in the lower right corner of your screen to alert you.

Click the balloon to start the process of installing the latest critical updates for your computer to help protect it from viruses.


New updates alert balloon

 

Update your computer today, sleep better tonight

Using Windows Update or Windows Automatic Updates is one of the first lines of defense against security issues. You can continue to improve your computer's security by using a firewall and maintaining a current antivirus software subscription.


 

 

[ Back ] [ Home ] [ Up ] [ Next ]

Send mail to Webmaster with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2006 Bailey Office Equipment
Last modified: 07/21/08