Tornado PC Repairs

To keep your PC up to date with the latest drivers and other system updates, you once had to go online and look for the updates appropriate for your PC – Not any more.

Windows includes a free, built-in service called Windows Update. This service helps you keep your PC more secure and reliable as well as compatible with devices.

Windows Update provides new features that may enhance your Windows experience. You can set Windows Update to automatically download and install essential updates or you can review the updates before they’re installed. The service is as automatic as you’d like it to be.

An up-to-date PC gives you the best possible experience, and helps you keep your PC more secure, reliable, compatible with devices, and able to run new features that may enhance your experience. With Windows Update, you can easily get what your PC needs, such as:

• The latest security updates to protect against malware and other potentially unwanted software
• Updates that improve reliability and performance
• Upgrades to Windows features
• Drivers from Microsoft partners

While Windows Update needs to check your PC to determine which updates it needs, it does not collect your personal information. Windows Update simply checks to see what software and hardware is installed, so it knows what updates you need.

Using Windows Update with automatic updating is a good first line of defence against security threats, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle.We strongly recommend that you improve your PC’s security by using a firewall and maintaining antivirus and antispyware software as well.

Turning on Windows Update is simple. As you set up your new PC, you’ll be asked if you want to “Help protect Windows automatically.” Just select one of the green shield options (see screen shot below) and Windows Update will check for, download, and install new updates for your PC.

Microsoft recommends the first option “Use recommended settings” so that you automatically receive all Important and Recommended updates. Microsoft also recommends that you turn on other features such as the Internet Explorer Phishing Filter to help protect your PC and personal information.

How To switch on Updates in Windows Vista

The second option “Install important updates only” will check for, download, and automatically install only Important updates.

You can also change the automatic update settings anytime with the Windows Update control panel. And you can review and install Optional updates from the panel.

To do change the automatic update settings

1. Open Windows Update (click the Start button, click All Programs, and then click Windows Update).
2. Select Change Settings and choose how you want Windows to install updates.

Switching from Windows Update to Microsoft Update

Do you have other Microsoft products besides Windows? Microsoft Update helps you update Windows and many other Microsoft programs that you’ve installed, such as Microsoft Office, all in one place.

To turn on Microsoft Update in Windows Vista

1. Open Windows Update (click the Start button, click All Programs, and then click Windows Update).
2. Click the Get updates for more products button. (Note: If this button does not appear, it’s likely you’ve already enabled Microsoft Update. This may happen when you installed other software programs like Microsoft Office 2007. In this case, the phrase “You receive updates: For Windows and other products from Microsoft Update” should appear near the bottom of the window.)
3. Follow the instructions to use Microsoft Update. Windows Update will begin to scan your PC for available updates for Windows and other Microsoft products if you have automatic updating turned on.

Installing optional updates and drivers

To install Optional updates, just select them from the list of updates that Windows finds for your PC. Optional updates are not installed automatically.

To install Optional updates

1. Open Windows Update (click the Start button, click All Programs, and then click Windows Update).
2. In the left pane, click Check for updates, and then wait while Windows looks for the latest updates for your PC.
   
3. If any updates are found, click View available updates.
   
4. Select the Optional updates that you want, and then click Install. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Note: If you are offered an Optional update that you don’t want to install, you can simply right click and select Hide update and it will not appear on the list the next time you use the update service. If you discover that you do want it, simply select Restore Hidden Updates.

How To switch on Updates in Windows XP

The Windows Update service provides a single location for all the updates for your Windows XP–based PC. And by turning on the Automatic Updates feature, you can make sure your PC has High-priority updates including security and reliability updates, drivers, service packs, and feature updates. Automatic Updates routinely checks for the latest High-priority updates for your PC and then downloads and installs them for you automatically.

Note: The Automatic Updates feature will only check for High-priority updates. Automatic Updates will not download and install Optional updates. You will need to return to the Windows Update site regularly to select and install Optional updates.

If you don’t have Automatic Updates turned on, Microsoft recommends you turn it on when you visit the Windows Update site.

To turn on Automatic Updates in Windows XP (SP2)

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Automatic Updates.
3. Choose Automatic (recommended).

Note: You can also turn on Automatic Updates from the Windows Update website.

To update your PC now

1. Go to the Windows Update website.
2. Then, do one of the following:
   • Click Express to check for High-priority updates. Windows Update will check for High-priority updates for your PC and display them for your review. Select the updates you want, and then click Install Updates.
     
     
   • Click Custom to check for Optional updates. Windows Update will check for the latest updates for your PC.
     

Note: If you click Custom, High-priority updates will be presented for your review. Select Optional updates from the left side of the web page by type: “Software, Optional” or “Hardware, Optional. “

Remember to check the Windows Update website regularly for Optional updates as they are not offered through Automatic Updates.

Using Microsoft Update via Windows Update

Do you have other Microsoft products besides Windows? Turning on Microsoft Update helps you keep Windows and many other Microsoft programs, such as Microsoft Office, updated all in one place. If you’ve been using Windows Update with Automatic Updates turned on, Windows Update will continue to check for and install High-priority updates for your Windows XP –based PC.

Note: The first time you visit Microsoft Update, you will need to install the updating software on your PC.

To use Microsoft Update

1. Connect to the Internet and go to the Microsoft Update website or click Microsoft Update on any Microsoft.com site. (If you’ve already turned it on you’ll skip straight to Step 7 .)
   
2. Click Start Now, and then click Continue.
   
3. Automatic Updates is turned off by default. To turn on Automatic Updates, click Turn it on now.
   
4. Select when you want the new updates installed. Click OK. Automatic Updates are now turned on.
   
5. Click Check for Updates.
6. Now that you have set up the Microsoft Update service and turned on Automatic Updates, click Check for Updates.
7. Click either Express or Custom installation.A. Get answers to questions you have about Microsoft Update.
   B. Another opportunity to sign up for Automatic Updates.
   • Express finds High-priority updates for your PC, which you install with one click.
   • Custom finds both High-priority and Optional. You individually review and select the updates you want to install.
8. Microsoft Update scans your PC to identify which updates your PC needs. Follow the directions on the screen to download and install them.