How to Update Microsoft Windows Computer

How to Update Microsoft Windows Computer

  

Since the introduction of Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft has greatly improved the way users can update their computer. Below are steps on how to perform these updates, as well as additional recommendations to help update your computer.

Microsoft Windows Update

If you are running Microsoft Windows 98 or later, at least some updates should be available for your computer. In most cases, automatic updates and the latest drivers are available online. To update your software through Windows, follow the steps below.

Note: Users on a corporate network or running an illegal copy of Microsoft Windows may be unable to perform Microsoft Updates. If you are on a corporate network, contact your administrator if you are concerned about updating your computer. If you are running an illegal copy of Microsoft Windows, we recommend you purchase a valid copy of Microsoft Windows to download updates.

Windows 10

Windows Update is automatically turned on in Windows 10 and cannot be turned off for home users. Only enterprise users (Windows 10 for business) can delay the installation of Windows updates.

Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1

1.    Open the Control Panel.

2.    If using Small icons view, click on the Windows Update option. If using the Category view, click on the System and Security option, then click on the Windows Update option.

3.    Windows Update will check for any available updates for your computer. If any updates are found, you should be able to view the available updates. It is highly recommended that you first install all important updates and service packs that are available. In some cases, you may only be able to do a few important updates or service pack updates each time, if some updates are dependent on other updates being installed first.

Windows XP and earlier

1.    Visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.
* For this page to work, you must view it in Internet Explorer.

2.    On the Microsoft Windows Update page, select the option Scan for updates. If prompted to install a plug-in, click Yes. Not installing this plug-in will prevent you from scanning for updates.

3.    Because this feature must query your computer, Microsoft will gather information from your computer allowing the software to know what it needs to update. There are several urban legends about Microsoft attempting to inspect your computer for illegal software, install unwanted the programs, and steal your private information. None of the practices are true. Unless otherwise stated in Microsoft's Privacy statement, Microsoft collects information from your computer during this process. Collected information includes:

1.    your operating system version

2.    your product key

3.    what version of Internet Explorer you are using

4.    version numbers of any other programs you have installed which Microsoft provides updates for

5.    ID numbers of the hardware devices installed in your computer

6.    your region and language settings

4.    After Windows Update has completed scanning, you should be able to view the available updates for your computer. It is highly recommended that you first install all critical updates and service packs that are available. In some cases, you may only be able to do a few critical updates or service pack updates each time.

5.    Although Microsoft does provide some driver updates for hardware devices, it is important to realize that they will not have all the latest drivers. You may want to consider updating the drivers directly from your computer manufacturer. See the computer drivers page for a listing of computer hardware manufacturers and a link to their drivers page.

Note: Whenever you are prompted to reboot the computer, reboot the computer. Rebooting is an important step and in some cases may be required several times before you have installed all the Windows updates available. After the computer has rebooted, make sure to visit the Windows update page again to make sure all the files you need are downloaded.

Microsoft Windows XP and later users

Users of Microsoft Windows XP and later versions can have Microsoft Windows automatically update their computer.