WINDOWS 2000 instuctions
Updating Microsoft Windows
WINDOWS XP

Instructions provided by Microsoft.com

The Microsoft Windows® XP operating system includes the Automatic Updates feature, which can automatically download the latest Microsoft security updates while your computer is on and connected to the Internet.

To use Automatic Updates to download and install any future critical security updates from Microsoft:

Click Start, and then click Control Panel.


Click Performance and Maintenance.

If the Performance and Maintenance category isn't visible, click Switch to Category View on the upper left of the window.

Click System to open the System Properties dialog box. You'll see a screen like the one below.

On the Automatic Updates tab, check the box next to Keep my computer up to date.

Choose a setting. We strongly recommend choosing Automatically download the updates, and install them on the schedule that I specify.

If you choose the option to automatically download and install updates, select a day and time when your computer will be turned on, so the installation process can be finished.

Note: We recommend a daily update. Of course, your computer will need to be turned on to perform updates.


Choose Automatically download the updates and install them on a schedule that I specify

If you set up Automatic Updates to notify you, or if your machine was off at the scheduled installation time, you will see a notification balloon like the one below. Click the notification balloon to review and install the updates.

Click the balloon to install new updates

Using Windows Update

Here's how you can bring your computer up to date now. You can also use these instructions to keep up with the latest non-critical updates:

Go to the Windows Update Web site at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.

On the Windows Update site, click Scan for Updates. Windows Update will scan your computer and give you a pre-selected list of critical updates, including service packs.


Click Scan for updates

Note: To reduce download times, run Windows Update when you will not be using your computer for other Internet-related tasks.

In the Pick updates to install list on the left side of your screen, click Critical Updates and Service Packs. Windows Update will create a list of the updates appropriate for your computer. (Critical updates will be selected for download automatically.)

Click Review and install updates. Select the updates to install, including any service packs and the critical updates pre-selected for you, and then click Install Now. You may need to restart your computer after installing the updates.

Click Review and install updates


Note: Be sure to go back to Windows Update after rebooting to check for any additional updates. You may need to do this several times.

Important note for Microsoft Office users. You should also visit the Office Update site to install the latest security releases.

Applying security patches and updates has always been a good practice. Lately, it has become a critical necessity. The Windows operating system (especially Windows 2000 and XP), and Microsoft Outlook are the most commonly attacked softwares on the Internet. Virus and worm programmers have capitalized on Microsoft's domination of the market by targeting its products. Microsoft has trouble anticipating the security flaws in its software, often discovering the loopholes only after a major attack has been launched.

The newest computers in the district (those installed within the last couple of years) are typically configured to automatically check for and install updates. Still, it is important for you, as users, to assist in the maintenance of these systems by periodically (every couple of weeks, at the very worst) checking for updates.