Windows XP Updates

Windows updates keep your computer secure against threats that have been corrected by Microsoft, as well as correcting issues with the operating system.

1 Using Automatic Updates
2 Getting Updates Manually
3 Microsoft Updates
4 Do Not Ignore Updates
5 Windows Updates Categories

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Using Automatic Updates

The properties page for Automatic Updates

Windows has a feature called Automatic Updates, which allows you to setup your computer to automatically download and install updates as they are released.

The following instructions will assist you in configuring Automatic Updates to the recommended setting. The recommended setting will automatically download updates to your computer when they are released and install them.

To turn on Windows Automatic Updates, do the following:

Right-click on My Computer from either on your desktop or the Start menu.
Select Properties.
Select the Automatic Updates tab.
You will see four options. Select the Automatic (recommended) option.
Select Every day from the drop down menu.
Select a time other than the default time.
Click on Apply.
Click on OK.

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Getting Updates Manually

The Tools menu in Internet Explorer

To get updates for Windows XP without using Automatic Updates, do the following:

Open Internet Explorer.
From the Tools menu, select Windows Updates. This will take you to the Microsoft Windows Update site.

Another way to get updates is to do the following:

Open the Start menu.
Select All Programs.
At the top of the left-most column you will see an item titled Windows Update. Select it.

You will now be directed to the update site for Windows. If you need to see a larger image of the sample screen, click on it for a larger view.

If this is the first time going to the Windows Update page, such as after a reinstallation of Windows XP, you will be presented with a screen like the one below. This is an Internet Explorer security warning. Since it is from the Microsoft site, you'll want to click Install.
Once you've clicked through the security warning, you will be presented with a screen similar to that below. This will show up in the even that Microsoft has changed the way the updating site works. Click Install to have your computer update to the current Windows update software.
Next, you'll be presented with it a screen asking you to choose between either the Express install of Windows updates or the custom install. It is best to proceed with the Express install. Only choose Custom if you are sure of what you are trying to update.
A similar screen may be displayed as the one below if the components of the updating software have been changed. Click Download and Install Now.
After you click the button, you'll see a screen such as this. All there is to do while it is downloading and installing updates is to wait.
Once all the updates have been downloaded and installed, you'll see a screen like this one. Your best option here is to restart the computer now, as otherwise it will keep asking to restart every 5 to 10 minutes.
Repeat the steps listed for getting to the Windows Update site and once again select the Express option. Repeat this until there are no more updates left for you to download. If you use programs like Microsoft Office or other Microsoft products, be sure to see the next section.

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Microsoft Updates

In addition to the Windows Updates, there is an additional type of update available to you. If you are using any other Microsoft product, such as the Microsoft Office suite or the .NET suite, you can tie the updates for these Microsoft products into your automatic updates for Windows with a service called Microsoft Updates. Click here for more information.

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Do Not Ignore Updates

Don't ignore this message.

One of the most important things to remember is that if you don't setup automatic updates or you see a pop-up like the one to the right, be sure to follow its instructions, as it means that there is an update ready to be downloaded or installed for your computer. Not doing so may make your computer vulnerable to malware threats.

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Windows Updates Categories

There are different types of Windows Updates, and these are listed below.

Critical Update: A critical update is a broadly released fix for a specific problem that addresses a critical, non-security-related bug.
Additional Information: Critical updates are available for customers to download and are accompanied by a Microsoft Knowledge Base article.
Driver: A driver is a software component that is designed to support new hardware.
Hotfix: A hotfix is a single, cumulative package that includes one or more files that are used to address a problem in a product. Hotfixes address a specific customer situation and may not be distributed outside the customer organization. Installing a .NET Framework hotfix will uninstall previous related .NET Framework hotfixes.
Security Update: A security update is a broadly released fix for a product-specific, security-related vulnerability. Security vulnerabilities are rated based on their severity. The severity rating is indicated in the Microsoft security bulletin as critical, important, moderate, or low. Microsoft security updates are available for customers to download and are accompanied by two documents: a security bulletin and a Microsoft Knowledge Base article.
Service Pack: A service pack is a tested, cumulative set of all hotfixes, security updates, critical updates, and updates. Service packs may also contain additional fixes for problems that are found internally since the release of the product and a limited number of customer-requested design changes or features.
Software Update: A software update is any update, update rollup, service pack, feature pack, critical update, security update, or hotfix that is used to improve or to fix a software product that is released by Microsoft Corporation.
Update: An update is a broadly released fix for a specific problem. An update addresses a non-critical, non-security-related bug.