Set your Windows Computer for Automatic Update
Windows Vista
- Click Start and then go to Control Panel -> System and Maintenance -> Windows Update
- Use the Windows Update window to review your settings.
The instructions below are adapted from Microsoft's web page at http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
Windows XP
- Click Start and then go to Control Panel -> Automatic Updates
- Select a setting. Microsoft recommends selecting Automatically download the updates, and install them on the schedule that I specify and setting a daily update.
- Click OK. You're all set now to receive future critical updates.
- You should now go right away to the Windows Update web site at windowsupdate.microsoft.com and install any critical updates that your computer requires.
- Automatic Updates will take care of future critical updates, but you should still visit the Windows Update site on a regular basis so you can get high priority and optional updates for your computer.
Windows 2000 Instructions
- Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
- Double click Automatic Updates.
- Click the Automatic Updates tab, and then select Keep my computer up to date.
- Select a setting. Microsoft recommends selecting Automatically download the updates, and install them on the schedule that I specify and setting a daily schedule.
- Click OK. You're all set now to receive future critical updates.
- You should now go right away to the Windows Update web site at windowsupdate.microsoft.com and install any critical updates that your computer requires.
- Automatic Updates will take care of future critical updates, but you should still visit the Windows Update site on a regular basis so you can get high priority and optional updates for your computer.

