Configure Automatic Updates in Windows

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Configure Automatic Updates in Windows

In this tutorial: How to configure Windows Update and enable Microsoft Update for patching and updating all Microsoft programs in Windows XP, Vista or 7

Last modified: 2011-12-30 13:02:56 EET

All versions of Windows ship with Automatic Updates (aka Windows Update) enabled by default. In Windows XP, it is accessible via Tools or Safety menu of Internet Explorer; in Windows Vista and 7, Automatic Updates is located in Control Panel.

Windows Update automatically patches security holes (if set to do so) and therefore enhances your computer's security. It is strongly recommended to keep the feature turned on to stay safe online.
Non-Microsoft programs can be kept up-to-date with Secunia PSI.

You should ensure you have enough free disk space before installing updates - at least 1 gigabyte of available space is recommended. For Windows Service Packs, even more free space might be required.

If Windows Update constantly displays errors before or after checking for or installing updates, read the Repair Windows Update article for easy troubleshooting.

If Automatic Updates/Windows Update has been turned off for some reason and you would like to apply updates now, make sure you perform a full scan with products like avast! Free Antivirus or Microsoft Security Essentials first. Also scan for other malware with Spybot Search & Destroy and Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware to be sure that your PC is not infected.
Having a complete backup of your computer is also a good idea in case something goes really wrong.

Accessing Windows Update configuration

In Windows XP, you can launch Windows Update by opening Start menu and clicking Control Panel.
Windows XP, Start menu. Click Control Panel to access Windows Update settings.

If Control Panel is in Classic Mode, double-click Automatic Updates.
Windows XP, Control Panel in Classic Mode. Double-click Automatic Updates to configure Windows Update.

If Control Panel is in Category View, open Security Center and then click Automatic Updates.
Windows XP, Control Panel in Category View. Click Security Center to see Automatic Updates.

In Windows Vista and 7, click Start button or press Ctrl+Esc on your keyboard and type the word update into Start menu Search box. Then click Windows Update.
Windows 7, to access Windows Update, type "update" into Start menu Search box and click Windows Update.

If there are updates available, Windows Update icon will be displayed in Taskbar Notification Area. Click it to open Windows Update in Windows Vista or 7. In Windows XP, this will not open configuration options, though.

Scheduling Windows Update and enabling updates for all Microsoft products

Automatic Updates/Windows Update is now open. First let's select a good time for Automatic Updates.

While Microsoft publishes security and stability updates on second Tuesday of each month, there are times when patches for critical vulnerabilities are released outside the schedule. That's why you should set your computer to look for available updates every day.

In Windows XP, make sure you have the Automatic (recommended) option selected. Then select Every day and set the time when your PC is most probably turned on in the Automatically download recommended updates for my computer and install them combo boxes.
Click OK to close the window and apply changes.
Windows XP, Automatic Updates. Select Automatic (recommended). Then set frequency to Every day and select a time for automatic patching of Windows.

In Windows Vista and 7, click the Change settings link on the left:
Windows Vista, Control Panel, System and Security, Windows Update. Click Change settings in the left part of the window.

In the Choose how Windows can install updates window, make sure Install updates automatically (recommended) is selected. Then select Every day and set the time when your computer is most probably turned on in the Install new updates combo boxes.
Next, ensure that both Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates and Allow all users to install updates on this computer boxes are checked.
Finally, click OK. Do not close the Windows Update window yet!

In case you have already enabled Microsoft Update, there are two more combo boxes available - Give me updates for Microsoft products and check for new optional Microsoft software when I update Windows and Show me detailed notifications when new Microsoft software is available. Make sure both of the options are turned on. You can skip the rest of the article then.

Windows Vista, Windows Update settings. Select a time when your computer is most probably turned on. This ensures that automatic updates are received ASAP.

Enabling Microsoft Update in Windows

Microsoft Update is like an add-on to Windows Update/Automatic Updates - it enables updating other Microsoft software such as Microsoft Office products, and installing free software such as Microsoft Security Essentials or Windows Live suites.

Click here to show or hide instructions for turning on Microsoft Update in Windows XP

Launch Windows Update by opening Start menu and clicking Windows Update on top of All Programs menu. You can also open Safety menu in Internet Explorer 8 (Tools menu in Internet Explorer 6 and 7) and click Windows Update.

Windows Update will check its version and Automatic Updates settings on your PC first. This might take several minutes if you run it the first time.

After the checks are complete, click Go in the Get Microsoft Update today! section.

Click Start Now on the Microsoft Update introductory page.

Ah, the license agreements! To put it short: as with any other product, you are responsible for everything and there is no way that the product creator is responsible for something.
Click Continue.

Next, Microsoft Update software will be downloaded (this might take a few minutes on slower connections) and a yellow Notification Bar appears. Click the bar and select Install ActiveX Control in the menu to allow installation of Microsoft Update.

Next, Internet Explorer pops up its own Security Warning. As long as Publisher is Microsoft, it is safe to click Install here.

After a short while, the setup is complete and you can click Check for Updates.

Microsoft Update is now available in Start menu, All Programs. Also, the Windows Update command in Internet Explorer now automatically leads to Microsoft Update.

Click here to show or hide instructions for turning on Microsoft Update in Windows Vista and 7

If you have not yet enabled Microsoft Update, there is a link titled "Get updates for other Microsoft products". Click the Find out more link:

If Windows Vista or 7 has already received and installed an update to Automatic Updates mechanisms, you will just see the following dialog.
Click the Yes, tell me about new software (recommended) button:

Then click Continue or Yes in User Account Control prompt and Microsoft Update is ready to rock.

In case your Windows has not received the update, Internet Explorer will open. Check the I agree to the Terms of Use for Microsoft Update box and then click the Install button.