5.  MAKING SURE THAT YOUR AUTOMATIC WINDOWS UPDATES IS       ACTIVATED

Microsoft is made aware of security flaws in their system from time to time and eventually comes up with a fix called a ‘patch’.  While some of their patches in the past have caused some temporary computer glitches until they released a ‘patch for the patch’, it is still important that you download and install their ‘critical updates’.  Once you go through the setup steps, the program automatically scans your computer and compares your status with Microsoft’s file list.  It then ‘downloads’ the necessary files to your computer and gives you a yellow shield alert in your taskbar (on the bottom near the time) telling you that there are downloads available to install.  The user then simply clicks on the shield and then clicks on the ‘Express’ button In the update window.  The patch will be downloaded and automatically installed in your computer and you will be notified when the update is completed.  In some instances it will prompt you to restart the computer.  To check that this function is active on your computer, click on Start>Control Panel>Windows Updates and make sure ‘Automatic’ is selected’

 

So, how do we get to their update web site in the first place?....  Click on Start>Programs>Windows Update.  In some cases, when you click on Start you will find Windows Update in the Start Menu pop up. You will be taken to the Update site and the program will start to analyze your computer to see if you have the latest software.  If you do, then you will click on ‘Express’ on the web page.  If it finds you do not have the latest software, it will offer to install it.  At this point, you will probably get a gold bar just under the top menu bar... When clicked and download is selected, this will install an ‘active X’ program on your computer and the updated software will be downloaded and installed.  

 

If you have Microsoft Office on your computer (Word, Excel, etc.) then you should take advantage of the Microsoft Update.  This is similar to the Windows Update but it goes further and checks for Office updates as well as the standard Windows update.  (I believe this is geared for Windows XP users).  Simply click on the ‘Install Now’ link for Microsoft Update found on the Windows Update page.  Once installed,  Microsoft will automatically extend your computer search to include the Office updates.

 

Updates are not a daily event... You may go for a month or two before receiving an update notice.

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