Installing Critical Fixes

Microsoft continues to issue updates to Windows, fixing problems and vulnerabilities as they're discovered. To keep your computer running smoothly and to avoid new types of attacks, it's important that you install any critical updates that Microsoft issues as soon as they're available. Fortunately, the Windows Update feature does most of the work for you.

Configure Your Downloading

Click the Start button, choose Control Panel from the Start menu, click Check For Updates in the Security section to display the Windows Update window, and review the status of your updates. If you're not signed up to receive updates for all the Microsoft products installed on your computer, click the Get Updates For More Products button, and sign up.

If the computer hasn't checked for updates recently and isn't set for automatic updating, click Change Settings.

Specify the way you want to receive updates, if at all.

Select these check boxes if you want to include recommended updates as well as critical fixes in the downloads, and if you want to receive updates for other Microsoft products.

Click OK when you've finished.

If you chose to be notified when updates have been downloaded or are available for download, click the message or the download icon in the notification area of the taskbar to install your updates.