Automatic Updates

Automatic Updates

In Windows XP and on computers running Windows 2000 with Service Pack 3, you can take advantage of Automatic Updates to apply security updates. In Windows XP, Automatic Updates is configured in the property pages of the Control Panel s System applet. On Windows 2000 based computers, the application of Service Pack 3 adds the Automatic Updates applet to the Control Panel, as shown in Figure 23-2.

Figure 23-2. Scheduling the download and application of Windows updates by using Automatic Updates

The Automatic Updates application simplifies the maintenance of Windows 2000 and Windows XP updates by connecting to the Windows Update site and determining whether your computer requires any updates. Specifically, you can configure the following options:

• Enable or disable Automatic Updates. You can choose whether to keep your computer s updates current by using Automatic Updates.

• Define how Automatic Updates are applied.

  You can choose from three options:

  • Notify Me Before Downloading Any Updates And Notify Me Again Before Installing Them On My Computer

    Notifies you before downloading an update application. This option allows you to choose when to download updates as well as which updates to apply once the downloads are complete.

  • Download The Updates Automatically And Notify Me When They Are Ready To Be Installed

    Automatically downloads required updates as background tasks. When updates are downloaded, you are notified that they are ready to be installed. This provides you with the opportunity to review updates and choose which ones to apply.

  • Automatically Download The Updates And Install Them On The Schedule That I Specify

    Automates the download and application of updates. Updates are installed based on the schedule configured in the Automatic Updates applet.

As with all Windows updates, the computer might require a restart to finish the update application. If you are currently logged on to the computer, you will be notified of the pending restart and provided with the option of delaying the restart.