Windows Update

Windows Update

Running Windows Update (or more recently 'Microsoft Update') to receive 'Critical Updates' at least once a month will assure that your PC stays up to date. Among these updates are fixes to the most recently discovered security flaws in Microsoft products including most versions of the Windows operating system. These updates will help protect your PC from Internet exploits and some virus threats.

Currently, Windows Update is not (fully) supported by Windows 95, 98, 98 SE, NT 4, or XP pre-Service Pack 2. Users of these versions of Windows on the ESF Campus are strongly encouraged to upgrade to Windows 2000/XPsp2 or better. For information on purchasing upgrades to Microsoft Windows products on the ESF Campus, please click here.

To get to Windows Update on the Web:

Go to the Start Menu and select 'Windows Update' or 'Microsoft Update.' Depending on your version of Windows, you may need to go to 'All Programs' under the Start Menu to see options for Windows or Microsoft Update.

If Windows Update is not an option under the Start Menu (or Start Menu --> All Programs):

Start Internet Explorer, go to the Tools menu option and select 'Windows Update.'

Once you have arrived at the Windows Update page, select either the 'Express' or 'Custom' button near the middle of the page to scan for updates.

At some point in this process, you may be asked to update your Windows Update software. Please do so if asked.

By default if you choose the Express option above, all the critical updates are selected for you. Depending on the version of Windows or Microsoft update your PC has, you may need to select a 'Review and install updates' link to proceed.

NOTE: Some updates may need to be installed individually. If you have not run Window Update in more than a few months (or ever) you will need to run it several times to obtain all of the latest updates. It is a good policy to keep running it until all of the critical updates have been installed as a minimum.

NOTE: The Windows Update process may take up to 30 minutes (depending on Machine type and processor speed) if it has been a long time since it was last run.

Click here to go to Windows Update NOW.


	Windows Update Demo: Click here to view a demonstration of a typical 'Critical Updates,' Windows Update session. This Demo requires the Flash Plug-in to play. If you do not have it, you will be prompted to have it automatically installed. If you are not asked to install the necessary software, and can still not see the video, click here and then click 'Install now' to manually start installation.


	Automatic Updates Automatic update is a version of Windows update. If you ever see the 'earth and flag' icon (see below) in your PC's system tray (next to the clock), just double-click on it and follow the instructions to install any waiting updates.