Windows Update

What is Windows Update

Nothing is perfect, and this rule holds on for Software too. Microsoft Windows is the Operating System that most users will use daily at home, school or in the office. For most users, Microsoft will come pre installed when you purchase your PC. How long was your PC on the shelf?

Microsoft release updates for their Operating Systems frequently. These updates come under 3 categories:

• Critical Updates - These mostly address security problems within the Operating System, such as the latest known exploits. They may also address updates that Microsoft want you to get.
• Windows [Version] - These are feature enhancement or bug fixes for Microsoft components, such as .NET or Windows Media Player.
• Driver Updates - These are driver updates for your hardware released by hardware manufacturers.

The most important are the first set, the Critical Updates, named Critical for a reason; and if your pc has been on the shelf a long time, your new PC is actually out of date. As an example of what Critical Updates do, you will have heard of MSBlaster and Sasser worms. Critical Updates addressed the problems of these worms at least half a month before they were exploited! Those who updated would have been safe, those that didn't got infected, that's what makes these critical.

How to get to Windows Update

There are two simple ways to perform Windows Update in Internet Explorer.
Firstly, use the Tools, Windows Update option. This will take you to the Windows Update main page.
Secondly, use the Windows Update URL: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

It's worth noting now when Microsoft release their latest Updates.
Not long ago, Microsoft decided to release most of their updates together on the second Tuesday of every month. So expect this time to be busy, as many around the world try to login to update their home/business PCs.
More important updates will be released as they are made, so this is not an excuse to not check updates for a long period.

Scanning for Updates - It's Automatic!

All you have to do once the Windows Update home page is loaded is click the scan for updates button! The system knows and detects what you have previously downloaded, and only lists those it finds that you haven't downloaded.
This may take a bit of time, in which Internet Explorer appears to stop responding; just give it a few minutes time to scan.

Selecting and Performing the Updates

After the scan is complete, you will see something like to the left.
The top 3 options are the three categories of updates as in the introduction given on this webpage. The Critical Updates and Service Packs will all be chosen for update automatically.
You now have two options, you can accept all the Critical Updates and perform the update or you can choose which updates you want and which you dont. I highly recommend you accept its decision and perform the updates. To do this, simply click the link "Review and install updates". The number in the ( ) is the number of updates it has found for you, in my case, 11. This is big for me because this is the first time i've used this PC for a while.
You are now presented with a list of the updates, their code, and a brief description. If for some reason you feel the need to delete any, you can click the "remove" button. Once your happy, click the "Install Now" button.

Sit Back and Relax

The whole process of downloading and installing is automated, you do not need to do anything until it's completed. When it's completed, it will most probably ask for you to restart your PC.
If you are on a fast connection, feel free to continue doing other things at the same time, but remember you may have to restart, so save all your work. On a slow connection, don't forget while you're doing other things the download progress will slow down considerably.
Once the download has completed, it will proceed to automatically install the components at which time you will most likely have to restart your computer.

Windows [Version] Updates

Where I say [Version] i mean your version, such as XP, 2000 or 98.
There may be specific updates available for your platform, such as a new version of media player, or an update to other components. Simply select the Windows X option and choose which updates you want or don't want. When you've selected, click "Review and Install" updates, and the process as above will start.

Driver Updates

These updates offer new driver releases for your hardware. This could be new drivers for your sound card, modem, video card etc... I have one issue with these updates, they will scan the chips used in your hardware, and list updates that match the chip. Many manufacturers use the same chips and add their own enhancements, this MAY lead to problems.
In my opinion, you should download the drivers direct from the manufacturer rather than from Windows Update.

That's It!

If you've done your critical updates, and any Windows Enhancements you've chosen, step 1 has been completed! Your system is more secure than it was, time to move on! Remember this step should be repeated at least monthly, shortly after the second Tuesday of every month!

Problems & Advanced Options

There are a few alternative ways to handle Windows Updates. These should only be used when you cannot access the normal download mechanism, or you have a reason, such as the need to install an update over several computers, or want to back up the update files.
The first is to download from the update catalog, the second is to download from the Microsoft Download Center.
These are for advanced users because there is no automation, you have to know and understand which updates you need, and for the correct version of your Operating System. You also need to know in some instances what past updates you've installed, including Service Packs.

Windows Update Catalog

Firstly, you need to go to the Windows Update website to do this.
Secondly, you need to select the "Other Options, Personal Windows Update" option.
Thirdly, you need to tick the box by "Display the link to the Windows Update Catalog under See Also".
Lastly, click Save Settings.

Now under "See Also" you will have a Windows Update Catalog option. Click it.
You are now able to "Find Updates for Microsoft Operating Systems". Select your version, choose your language, then click "Search".
You will now be presented with a list of categories, click the category to see the updates.
Add the udpates you require, then click "Go to Download Basket".
From the Download Basket page, you simply enter the directory to save the files to, then click "Download Now". You will now have a hard copy of all the files, you must run them to install them, it's not automatic.

Microsoft Download Center

Microsoft Download Center can be located at: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads. From here, you can select your product, and click "search".
A list of all downloads will be available.
This is a good option if Windows Update fails for you, and you know what you're doing. Not only this, but the Microsoft Technical Bulletins often provide direct links into the download center for updates.
Links are also provided into the Microsoft Download Center from the "read more..." links that proceed the brief description in the Windows Update list!