Help keep your computer's defenses current with Microsoft Update

Hardly a day goes by without a new story about spam, viruses, spyware, and other hazards of using the Internet. Spammers and malicious hackers work relentlessly to defy computer defenses, expecting that some people haven't applied the latest security fixes.

You can help thwart them by keeping your computer's safety net current, and Microsoft has a new service to help: Microsoft Update.

On This Page

	What is Microsoft Update?
	Keep up-to-date effortlessly using Automatic Updates
	How to sign up for Microsoft Update
	What else you can do to protect your PC

What is Microsoft Update?

Microsoft Update is a new service that offers the same downloads available from Windows Update—plus the latest updates for Microsoft Office and other Microsoft programs. It can help keep your computer more secure and performing at its best.

A key feature is Windows Automatic Update, which automatically installs high priority updates that are critical to the security and reliability of your computer—for example, repairs for security gaps in your system, boosters for system reliability, or the latest protection against spam for those who use Microsoft Outlook. Without these security patches (as they're also known), your computer is more vulnerable to attack from cyber crooks and malicious software (or malware).

Tip: Visit the Microsoft Update Web site to get other optional software updates to help keep your computer running smoothly or simply make using it more fun—for example, the latest versions of Windows Media Player or Windows MovieMaker.

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Keep up-to-date effortlessly using Automatic Updates

The most reliable way to get Microsoft Update is to have the updates delivered automatically to your computer using Windows Automatic Updates. You'll be able to turn Automatic Updates on when you sign up for Microsoft Update.

Windows will then analyze the Microsoft software installed on your PC for any high priority updates it requires—both current and past—and will download and install them automatically. Thereafter, when you connect to the Internet, Windows repeats this process for any new high priority updates. (Note that, if you've already been using Automatic Updates, Microsoft Update will continue to operate it as you've set it up.)

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How to sign up for Microsoft Update

There are two stages to this process which you'll follow in the steps below.

1.	When you're connected to the Internet, go to http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate or click Microsoft Update from any Microsoft.com site. (If you've already signed up, you'll skip straight to Step 7.)
2.	Click Start Now, and then click Continue.
3.	Follow the directions on your screen to install this ActiveX control.
4.	Click Install. Depending on how your system is set up, you may need to repeat steps 3 and 4 once more. This is all part of setting up the Microsoft Update program to work with your computer.
5.	If you've been using Automatic Updates, you'll skip to Step 6. If you have not been using the Automatic Updates service, click: • Turn it on now to sign up, and follow the directions on your screen. • Change setting to turn on Automatic Updates. Follow the directions on your screen.
6.	Now that you have set up the Microsoft Update program and turned on Automatic Updates, click Check for Updates.
7.	Click to choose either Express or Custom installation. • Express finds high-priority updates for your computer which you install with one click. • Custom finds both high-priority and optional updates (listed at the left of your screen). You individually review and select the updates you want to install. A Get answers to questions you have about Microsoft Update. B Another opportunity to sign up for Automatic Updates.
8.	Microsoft Update scans your system for the updates it needs. Follow the directions on your screen to download and install them.

Tip: Find out how to keep earlier versions of Windows (Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows 98, Windows 95, and Windows NT) and Office versions before Office 2000 up-to-date.

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What else you can do to protect your PC

Using Microsoft Update with Automatic Updates is a strong first line of defense against security threats. You can also improve your computer's security by using a firewall and maintaining a current antivirus software subscription. Find out how to do these and address other security essentials of protecting your PC. You might also consider a review of articles that explain other specific ways you can help protect your PC against online dangers, including viruses and spyware.

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