MEMBERS

NMVFC PC Help Center

WINDOWS UPDATE

Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) both are subject to frequency security patches and service pack updates from Microsoft. These updates are free and require very little effort to install.  It is highly recommended that you install these updates and in many cases, it is required for software to work properly.

Open Internet Explorer.  Under the Tools menu, you will see the Windows Update selection.  This will bring to you the Windows Update website.  You can also go there manually by typing in http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.

Once arriving at the Windows Update website, you will see a link that says “Check For Updates”.  If you have a very old operating system, it may ask you if it is OK to install the latest Windows Update software. This is OK and it is required to proceed any further.

It will then present you with a list on the left of consisting of critical updates and regular updates.  Go through each list and select the updates to install.  Some updates (IE6, Service Packs, DirectX 9, Media Player) have to be installed individually.  All the others can be grouped and installed in one shot.

Very often, installing one group of updates will make a whole new set of updates become available to install, especially if you haven’t done an update for a long time.  So make sure to rescan for updates after each round of updates to make sure you’ve got everything up to the latest.

Special note regarding Service Pack 2 for Windows XP:
Service Pack 2 for Windows XP provides lots of new features and security enhancements. However, if you use and kind of specialized software on your PC, check with that software manufacturer to make sure it is compatible with SP-2.

BACK TO THE MAIN PC HELP PAGE