Windows Update
This feature is included in the following editions of Windows Vista:
Windows Update is software designed to help keep your computer current and more secure by automatically downloading and installing the latest security and feature updates from Microsoft.
As a licensed user of Windows Vista, you are entitled to software updates to the operating system periodically released by Microsoft. These include upgrades to Windows Vista features, updates that improve reliability and performance, and updates that provide new protections against malware and other potentially unwanted software. Microsoft might also provide updates to software supplied by your computer manufacturer to improve performance or reliability of other software and hardware components on your PC.
Click to see new updates.
Windows Update determines which updates are applicable to your computer and can download and install them automatically to keep your computer up to date and more secure.
Advances in Windows Update
In Windows Vista, the capabilities of Windows Update make updating even easier and less disruptive.
Easier. In Windows Vista, Windows Update can automatically download and install both Important and Recommended updates. Previously, only updates classified as High Priority could be installed automatically, and you had to manually select and download other available updates.
Less disruptive. Updating occurs in the background, and flexible options are provided for completing the updating process. If an update requires a restart to complete installation, you can schedule this for a specific time when it won't disrupt your work. You can also postpone a previously scheduled restart until your current work is complete. And when a software update applies to a file in use, Windows Vista can save the application's data, close the application, update the file, and then restart the application.
Using Windows Update
To make sure your computer stays up to date, you should set up your system to install updates automatically. This helps ensure that both Important and Recommended updates are downloaded and installed in Windows Vista.
This option is provided during the initial setup of Windows Vista, or you can set it at any subsequent time.
If you want to take a more active role in managing the update process, Windows Vista includes a range of options that give you control over how you are notified about the availability of updates, as well as the option to review and approve updates before they are downloaded or installed.
Choose how Windows will install updates.
At any time, you can also proactively check to see if any updates are available for your PC. Using the Windows Update control panel, you can scan for updates, review details about each one, access your updating history, and manage your updating preferences.