What's an update number?
Published: February 20, 2007
The KB number that you see on Microsoft Update, Windows Update, or in the latest security bulletin on the Security Updates page corresponds to the Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) article ID number.
The Microsoft Knowledge Base is a database of technical articles about Microsoft products and technologies. These articles range from "how to" articles that describe how to complete a specific task to "bug" articles that document known issues with Microsoft products.
When you know what the update number is, it is easier for you to manage, track, and learn more about the updates that you need for your computer. You can use the number to check whether you have the necessary update to help protect against a worm or virus.
On the Microsoft Update Web site. When you scan your computer for available updates, the Microsoft Update Web site often displays a number along with the title of the update, for example, "Update for Windows Media Player 9 Series (KB837272)." The KB number is included in the security bulletins as the update number to help you identify the corresponding update on the Microsoft Update Web site.
On your own computer. If you have Automatic Updates enabled, you may not be aware of all the software updates that are being installed on your computer. Each update that is installed can be found by checking the Currently installed programs list.
To see the updates for Windows that are installed on your computer:
1. |
Click Start.
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2. |
Click Control Panel.
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3. | Click Add or Remove Programs.
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4. |
Select Change or Remove Programs and make sure the Show updates box is checked.
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The name of each of update on your computer includes the KB number (the numbers may be preceded by the letters KB or Q). If the update number on the security bulletin matches the number listed on your computer, then you already have the update you need for that bulletin.
