Keep Your Computer Up To Date

Windows Updates.  Ever heard of them?  This is a very simple task to perform, but often gets overlooked.  Microsoft releases updates on a regular basis to prevent attacks and keep your computer running smoothly.
First, you want to check and make sure your computer is set to update automatically.  You'll also need to be connected to the internet.

Windows Vista and Windows 7

• Go to the Start menu.
• Click All Programs and then Windows Update
• In the window that opens, click Change settings and ensure it is set to Install updates automatically (recommended) or Automatic (recommended).
• Choose the time to Install new updates.  Remember, your computer must be turned on and connected to the internet.  Also, if you have dial-up service it could take several hours to download updates.
• There may be other options depending on your version of Windows.  Be sure to read the screen and check the appropriate boxes for your preferences. 

Windows XP

• Go to the Start menu.
• Right click My Computer and click Properties.
• In the dialog box that opens, select the Automatic Updates tab.
• Select the box for Automatic (recommended) and choose the time of day.

There could be times when you need to update manually.

Windows Vista and Windows 7

• Go to the Start menu.
• Click All Programs and then Windows Update.
• Be sure to read the options listed here.  Once again it could look different depending on your version of Windows and how up to date it is.
• If it says Updates are available for your computer, click important update is available.
• Select the updates you want (probably all of them) and click OK.
• Click Install Updates.
• You may also click optional updates are available, but this is, of course, optional.

Windows XP

• Go to the Start menu.
• Click All Programs and then Windows Update.
• This will open Internet Explorer and take you to the Microsoft update page.  
• Make sure to read the screen.  If your computer has never been to this site, it will first take you through a verification and preliminary install before it actually starts downloading updates.
• Follow the instructions to complete the updates.

Many updates require a system restart to complete the process.  If you are installing updates manually, after the computer comes back up, repeat the update process.  You may have to do this several times in order to bring your computer up to date.