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Windows update

What is Windows Update?

Windows update itself is a website where users download updates for many Microsoft Windows-related products. Updates from Windows Update can include those for Windows itself, Office, and sometimes hardware drivers. These updates are primarily security and bug-related fixes, although they occasionally contain new features.

The service is version 6 of Windows Update. As of July 2006, Windows Update is the default update service for users of Windows XP and older operating systems.

Why should this be done?

Windows Updates, in conjunction with regular Spyware and Virus scans, keep your computer running as safely and swiftly as possible. At times, holes are found within a Windows system, and Windows Update will patch those holes and protect your computer.

How do I do this?

Note: Windows Update must be run from Internet Explorer.

1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Under Tools, select Windows Update.
   • In Internet Explorer 6, the Tools menu is located along the top taskbar.
   • In Internet Explorer 7, the Tools menu is located towards the right side of the window, on the taskbar under the search field.
3. Click on the button that says Express right next to "Get high-priority updates (recommended)"
4. Click on the button that says Install Updates. This should install any updates that you might be missing.

Concordia Issued Laptops

Concordia Issued Laptops should be automatically set up to receive these updates. You can tell if your computer is ready to install something by the small yellow shield that appears in the taskbar telling you that there is an update. If that shows up, please follow the steps to update your computer. This will save time in the future.

Also, often when shutting down your computer, an update will show up and instead of saying "Shut Down Computer", it will say "Install Updates and Shut Down Computer." If you see this, again, please follow the steps and update the computer. It shouldn't take more than five minutes and it will save time in the future. Make sure that you do not unplug the power cord during this time.

How do I check to see which updates I have already installed?

1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Under Tools, select Windows Update.
   • In Internet Explorer 6, the Tools menu is located along the top taskbar.
   • In Internet Explorer 7, the Tools menu is located towards the right side of the window, on the taskbar under the search field.
3. Click on Review your update history.

This will give you a list of all of the updates that you have on your computer. If there is a certain update that you are looking for that you do not see on the list, you can check for it by going to:

1. Windows Update Home which is on the left pane of the window.
2. Click on either the
   • Express button in the center of the screen
   • Or the Custom button in the center of the screen.

By doing this, you can see what you still have to update. Click on which updates you want and install them by clicking on Install Updates directly above the list.

Automatic Updates

You can set your computer to automatically search for updates and install them. To do this,

1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Under Tools, select Windows Update.
   • In Internet Explorer 6, the Tools menu is located along the top taskbar.
   • In Internet Explorer 7, the Tools menu is located towards the right side of the window, on the taskbar under the search field.

On the right side of the window, there is a small square that says Automatic Updates: Turned ___. Click on Pick a time to install updates. In the box that pops up, you can choose an interval and time that the computer will automatically check for updates and install them.

Note: Make sure to choose a time that your computer is typically turned on, remembering that we highly recommend shutting your computer down every night as you sleep.

• This page was last modified 19:28, 16 February 2007.
• This page has been accessed 619 times.