| Microsoft continues to improve Windows XP with new features or bug fixes. Windows Update allows you to keep your computer up-to-date with the latest software releases over the Internet. You can choose to have Windows check for new updates, or you can manually select the ones you want to install. Windows Update scans your computer for any software components or fixes that need to be installed. You can select automatic update options in System properties in the Control Panel or use the Windows Update web site to manually update your computer. The Windows Update web site displays updates in three categories: Critical Updates, Windows XP, and Driver Updates. Each category name includes a number indicating the number of updates in the category. Critical updates and driver updates are important to install for your system to run properly, while Windows XP updates are optional. Update Windows Automatically -
| | Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel. | -
| | Double-click the System icon in Classic view. | -
| | Click the Automatic Updates tab. | -
| | Select the Keep My Computer Up To Date check box. | -
| | Click the automatic update option you want to use: | -
Notify me before you download and install updates. -
Download updates and notify me before you install. -
Automatically download and install updates at a certain time. -
Did You Know? You can use the Automatic Updates Setup Wizard . Click the Stay Current With Automatic Updates message when it appears in the notification area, and then follow the wizard instruction. | Update Windows Manually -
Click the Start button, point to All Programs, and then click Windows Update. Windows connects to the Internet. -
| | Click Scan For Updates, and then wait for the update scan to complete. | -
| | If prompted to install Windows Update software, click Yes. | -
| | Click an update category. | -
| | Click Add next to the updates you want to install or click Remove next to the updates you do not want to install (critical updates are automatically added to the installation update). | -
| | To review the updates you want to install, click Review And Install Updates. | -
| | Click Install Now, and then click Accept to accept the license agreement if necessary. | -
| | Wait for the updates to be downloaded from the Web and installed on your computer. | -
| | If prompted, click OK to restart your computer. | -
Did You Know? You can turn off automatic updates . In the Control Panel, double-click the System icon, click the Automatic Updates tab, clear the Keep My Computer Up To Date check box, and then click OK. | |