What is Windows Update and how do I use it to update my Windows installation?

Note: To ensure that no critical updates are missed, UITS recommends that you configure your Windows computer to use the Automatic Updates feature; see What is the Windows Automatic Updates feature and how do I use it? At Indiana University, you can use the IU Microsoft Update Service; see What is the IU Microsoft Update Service?

In Windows 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP, and Vista, Windows Update is a service that Microsoft provides to distribute system component updates, service packs (SPs), security fixes, free upgrades, and hardware driver updates. In Windows Vista, Windows Update is a program which runs from your hard drive. In previous versions of Windows, Windows Update is accessed via the Windows Update site.

When you access Windows Update site, your computer is scanned to determine what updates you need. You can then choose which updates to install and how to install them. To help you choose your updates, they are categorized as follows:

• High priority: These are critical updates that you should install as soon as they are available, before you install any other updates.
• Software (optional): These are noncritical updates for Windows programs.
• Hardware (optional): These are noncritical driver updates for Windows hardware devices.

When using Windows Update:

• You must be connected to the Internet.
• For versions of Windows prior to Vista, You must use Internet Explorer as your web browser.
• The updates can be large, and may take several hours to download over a dial-up connection.
• In Windows NT, 2000, XP, and Vista you must be logged in with administrative rights.

  Note: At Indiana University, the University Information Security Office (UISO) recommends that you normally refrain from running your Windows computer as an administrator. For more, see What is the principle of least privilege?

You can access Windows Update via the following methods:

• Going directly to the Windows Update URL: Start Internet Explorer and go to: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
• From the Windows Start menu: From the Start menu, select Windows Update. If your Internet connection is working, this should start your web browser and bring up the Microsoft Windows Update page, or start the Windows Update program in Vista.
  
  
• Using Internet Explorer's Tools menu: Start Internet Explorer, and from the Tools menu, select Windows Update.

Once Windows Update is open, select either Express (returns only critical updates) or Custom (returns both critical and optional updates from which you can choose) to see what updates are available for your computer.

Also see:

• For Windows, how can I get software updates and patches?
• What is Windows XP?