Use updating services from Microsoft to keep your computer current

Microsoft Update is a Web site that offers the same downloads available from Windows Update—plus the latest updates for Microsoft Office and other Microsoft programs.

When you visit Microsoft Update, it scans your computer and gives you a list of updates, which you then decide whether to download and install.

High priority updates are critical to the security and reliability of your computer—for example, repairs for security gaps in your computer, boosters for system reliability, or the latest protection against spam for those who use Microsoft Outlook.

Keep current effortlessly using Automatic Updates

The most reliable way to get updates from Microsoft is to have the updates delivered automatically to your computer using Automatic Updates.

Once you determine how often and what time of day or night you want Automatic Updates to connect to the Internet and scan your computer for updates, Automatic Updates automatically keeps your computer current.

Instead of giving you a list of updates for your computer, Automatic Updates can download and install them at your convenience.

If you don't have Automatic Updates turned on, you can turn it on when you visit Microsoft Update.

Note: If you already use Automatic Updates, when you sign up for Microsoft Update, Automatic Updates 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 that you'll follow in these steps.

1.	When you're connected to the Internet, go to http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate or click Microsoft Update on 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 the screen to install this ActiveX control.
4.	Click Install. Depending on how your computer is set up, you might 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, go 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 the screen. • Change setting to turn on Automatic Updates. Follow the directions on the 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 the 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 computer for the updates it needs. Follow the directions on the 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 and antispyware software subscription. Find out how to do these and address other security essentials of protecting your PC.

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