Microsoft Update and other services: Frequently asked questions

If you use Windows XP, Windows 2000 Service Pack (SP3) or later, or Windows Millennium Edition (Me): Automatic Updates delivers updates to your computer automatically, so that's the easiest and most reliable way to make sure that you get new security updates as soon as they become available.

If you use Windows 2000 SP2 or earlier, Windows 98, Windows 95, or Windows NT Workstation 4: You can go to Windows Update for the latest security updates. (Make sure to return regularly.)

Tip: If you don't know what version of Windows you have, you can find out by visiting the Security Essentials page.

Automatic Updates is the easiest, most reliable way to help protect your computer from the latest Internet threats by delivering security updates right to your computer automatically.

When your computer is connected to the Internet, the Automatic Updates service analyzes the Microsoft software installed on your PC and checks for any high-priority updates you need—both current and past. It then downloads the updates for you and installs them at the time you choose. (This usually happens in the background so it doesn't interfere with your use of the computer.) Whenever you reconnect your computer to the Internet, Windows repeats this process.

If you use Windows XP or Windows 2000 Service Pack (SP3) or later: Visit Microsoft Update and look for the Automatic Updates box on the right side of the screen. Click the button that says Turn on Automatic Updates. If Automatic Updates is already turned on you, can adjust your settings by clicking Pick a time to install updates.

If you use Windows Millennium Edition (Me): Visit Security Essentials for Windows Me.

When you set up Automatic Updates, we strongly recommend that you set it to be as automatic as possible, directing Windows to download updates and install them on a schedule you specify. This gives you the greatest assurance that security updates are installed on your computer as soon as they're available.

If you use Windows 2000 SP2 or earlier, Windows 98, Windows 95, or Windows NT Workstation 4: You can go to Windows Update for the latest security updates. (Make sure to return regularly.)

Tip: If you don't know what version of Windows you have, you can find out by visiting the Security Essentials page.

First, you can control when Automatic Updates does its work. For example, you can leave your computer on and connected to the Internet, and schedule updates for very early morning or another time you're unlikely to be using it. That said, Automatic Updates usually doesn't slow your computer because it works in the background. (This does mean, however, that a large download could take a long time to complete.)

If you use Windows XP or Windows 2000 Service Pack (SP3) or later: Visit Microsoft Update and look for the Automatic Updates box on the right side of the screen. Click Pick a time to install updates.

To turn off Automatic Updates, click More Options and then click Turn off Automatic Updates. We do not recommended doing this.

If you use Windows Millennium Edition (Me): Visit Security Essentials for Windows Me.

All of these are Microsoft services designed to improve the security and reliability of your computer. Each is used to keep different versions of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office up to date.

Microsoft Update is a Web site that helps you keep both Windows and Office current.

Windows Update is a Web site that helps you keep Microsoft Windows 2000 SP2 or earlier, Windows Me, Windows 98, Windows 95, and Windows NT Workstation 4.0 current. (It also supports the versions of Windows that Microsoft Update does.)

Automatic Updates is a tool that automatically delivers the latest high-priority updates to your computer for both Microsoft Update and Windows Update.

Office Update is a Web site that helps you keep all the programs in the Microsoft Office suite up to date. If you use Office 2003 or Office XP, you get these updates as part of the Microsoft Update service.

Tip: You can read more in-depth comparisons with details about each update on the Automatic Update Services page.

Microsoft Update offers an efficient, easy way to keep Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, and other Microsoft programs current. When you visit the Microsoft Update Web site, it analyzes your system for what it needs and tailors its recommendations to the Microsoft software installed on your PC. These include:

Microsoft Update supports Microsoft Windows XP, Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 (SP3) or later, and Windows Server 2003. It provides updates for Microsoft Office XP, Office 2003, Microsoft SQL Server, and Microsoft Exchange Server. Updates for more Microsoft programs will be added in the future.

Tip: For more information, read a comprehensive list of questions and answers about Microsoft Update.

No, it helps you keep certain versions of Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, and other Microsoft software current.

Go to Help keep your computer's defenses current with Microsoft Update, and follow the directions in "How to sign up for Microsoft Update." If your computer is using a version of Windows that Microsoft Update doesn't support, it will redirect you to the correct page.

Windows Update offers an easy, efficient way to keep Microsoft Windows current. When you visit the Windows Update Web site, it analyzes your system, tailoring its recommendations to the Microsoft software installed on your PC. These include:

Windows Update supports the versions of Windows that Microsoft Update does, as well as Windows 2000 Service Pack 2 (SP2) or earlier, Windows Me, Windows 98, and Windows 95. (Windows Update also supports Windows NT Server 4.0. and Windows NT Workstation 4.0.)

Go to Windows Update, and follow the directions on the screen. (If your computer uses Windows XP, Windows 2000 SP3 or later, or Windows Me, clicking this link will take you to Microsoft Update, which combines Windows Update and Office Update.)

Office Update offers an easy, efficient way to improve the stability and security of all the programs in the Microsoft Office suite—for example Word, Excel, and Outlook. When you visit the Office Update Web site, it analyzes your computer for what it needs, and tailors its recommendations to your version of Office—Office 2000, Office XP, and Office 2003. If you use Office 2003 or Office XP, you get these updates through Microsoft Update.

Click the following link that corresponds to your version of Microsoft Office, and then follow the directions given:

Tip: If you don't know what version of Office you are using, from the Help menu of any program, choose About <program name>. The top line will tell you which version of Office you are using.

High-priority updates are critical to the security of your computer—for example, fixes that help protect against security threats—or boost its reliability. Without these security updates, your computer may be more vulnerable to attack from cyber crooks and malicious software.

Optional updates help keep your computer running smoothly or simply make using it more fun with, for example, the latest versions of Windows Media Player or Windows MovieMaker. You can get these updates only by clicking the Custom button in Microsoft or Windows Update.

Hardware updates are not critical to your computer's security or performance but they can improve how some devices work.

Yes, because they are two completely different Microsoft programs. However, if you're using a version of Windows that Microsoft Update supports, Microsoft Update will help you bring Microsoft Office up to date as well.

If you log off of the Internet or shut down your computer during a download, the download will be suspended, but resumed the next time your computer is online.

A service pack is an update to software that addresses certain known vulnerabilities and delivers product enhancements—for example, Windows XP with SP2. So, when you use Microsoft Update or Windows Update, after it scans your system, it may recommend that you install a service pack if the analysis reveals that your computer needs it.

To tailor updates for your system's needs, the information Microsoft uses includes the following:

Windows also records your Internet Protocol (IP) address when you connect to the Update site, but this address is only used for aggregating statistics.

To learn more about your privacy in this process, read the full Windows Update or Microsoft Update privacy statement. If you have any further questions about how Microsoft update services protect your privacy, please send e-mail to privhelp@microsoft.com.