Using Windows Update
Windows Update is the online extension of Windows. Use Windows Update to download items such as security fixes, critical updates, the latest Help files, drivers, and Internet products. New content is added to the site regularly, so you can always get the most recent updates and fixes to protect your computer and keep it running smoothly.
Windows Update scans your computer and provides you with a tailored selection of updates that apply only to the items on your computer.
Any update that Microsoft considers critical to the operation of your operating system, programs, or hardware is classified as a "critical update" and is automatically selected for you to install. Critical updates are provided to help resolve known issues and protect your computer from known security vulnerabilities.
Follow a simple, three-step process to get the updates you need to keep your computer up-to-date:
1. | Open Windows Update in Help and Support Center. |
2. | Click Scan for updates. |
3. | As you browse through the available updates in each category, click Add to select the update of your choice and add it to the collection of updates you want to install. You can also read a full description of each item by clicking the Read more link. |
4. | When you have selected all the updates you want, click Review and install updates, and then click Install Now. |
Windows Update Privacy Statement
To provide you with the appropriate list of updates, Windows Update must collect a certain amount of information from your computer. This information includes:
| • | Operating-system version number |
| • | Internet Explorer version number |
| • | Version numbers of other software |
| • | Plug and Play ID numbers of hardware devices |
Windows Update is committed to protecting your privacy and does not collect your name, address, e-mail address, or any other form of personally identifiable information. The information collected is used only for the period of time that you are visiting the site, and is not saved.
To provide you with the best possible service, Windows Update also tracks and records whether the download and installation of specific updates succeeded or failed. Windows Update records the ID of the item that you attempted to download and install, and information about your operating system version and Internet Explorer version. Although this information is stored, it cannot be associated with anything that is unique or personally identifiable about you or your computer.
Important
| • | In Windows XP Home Edition, you must be logged on as a computer administrator to install components or modify Automatic Updates settings. In Windows XP Professional, you must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings might also prevent you from completing this procedure. |
| • | Some updates might require that you restart your computer. Save your work and close any open programs before beginning the installation process. |
Keeping Windows up-to-date automatically
