Microsoft continues to improve Windows Vista with new features or security fixes, known as updates. Windows Update allows you to keep your computer up-to-date with the latest system software and security updates over the Internet. You can choose to have Windows regularly check for critical updates and download them in the background (which doesn’t interfere with other downloads), or you can manually select the ones you want to install using the Windows Update Web site. Automatic updates occur at scheduled times or by notification acceptance. If you’re busy, you can ignore/hide the update to install it later. The Windows Update Web site displays express (only high priority) and custom (high priority, software, and hardware) installation update options. High priority updates are critical for your system to run properly, while software and hardware updates are optional. Windows Update confidentially scans your computer for updates that need to be installed.
Update Windows Automatically
Click the Start button, point to All Programs, and then click Windows Update.
In the left pane, click Change settings.
Important:
If you’re part of a network, options are grayed out.
Click the automatic update option you want to use:
Install updates automatically (recommended), then specify a time.
Download updates, but let me choose whether to install them.
Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them.
Wait for the updates to be downloaded from the Web and installed on your computer.
If prompted, click OK to restart your computer.
Click the Close button.
Did You Know?
You can View update history. Click the Start button, point to All Programs, click Windows Update, and then click View update history in the left pane to view the installed updates. When you’re done, click OK, and then click the Close button.
You can install updates when not available or resume after an interruption. If your computer is turned off or in hibernate or standby mode during a scheduled update, updates are installed the next time you start your computer. If you lose an Internet connection during a download, Windows Update resumes where it left off.