Why is updating important?

What is an update?

Microsoft provides important updates, including security updates and other important updates, which can help protect computers from new viruses and other security threats spread through the Internet or the network. Other updates include enhancements, such as upgrades and tools that can help your computer run more smoothly. What are the different types of Microsoft software updates?

How to keep the computer up to date?

Turn on automatic updates: Get high-priority updates, including security and other important updates, and automatically transfer them to your computer and install them according to the schedule you set. Turn on the system, click the automatic update tab to turn on automatic update, and then select Settings. (If you are running Windows 2000, click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Automatic Update. )

Visit the Windows Update website (/): Visit here regularly to get high-priority optional updates for your computer.

Why use automatic updates?

Turning on automatic updates is the easiest way to help protect your computer. It can protect your computer from new and uninterrupted attacks. After automatic update is turned on, Windows will regularly check the Windows Update website to get the important updates your computer needs. These updates may include security updates, critical updates, and service packs. Windows will download updates in the background when you are online. Updates will not interfere with other downloads or interrupt your work.

Windows will automatically install important updates for you, but in some cases, you need to accept the End User License Agreement (EULA) or restart your computer to complete this process. Updates are installed according to the schedule you set, so you don't have to search the Windows Update website to find new updates, and you don't have to worry about missing important updates. You can also set up automatic updates to notify you when there are updates, so that you can download and install them yourself.

How does automatic update work?

How to download updates?

After connecting to the Internet, Windows will send data about how your computer is set up to the Windows Update website so that the service can determine what updates your computer needs. Windows will not send the user's name, address, e-mail address or any identification or contact information. If there are updates, they will be downloaded in the background when you are online, and will not interfere with other downloads or interrupt your work.

If you have a broadband connection, you can download updates at any time even if you are not currently using the Internet. If you are using a dial-up connection, updates will only be downloaded when you are connected to the Internet. If you disconnect from the Internet before the update download is completed, the download process will continue the next time you connect to the Internet.

Please note that you can only help protect your computer after installing the update. In addition, if you don't use the automatic (recommended) setting, Windows will only remind you to update when you log in as a member of the Administrators group. (Only administrators can add and remove programs, including updates. ) In order to inform you, the Windows Update icon will be displayed in the notification area to remind you that you can download new updates.

How to install important updates?

How to install the update depends on the automatic update setting you choose. If you use the automatic (recommended) setting, the update will be installed at 3 am. However, you can change the time or frequency of scheduled updates to meet your specific needs. If the computer is turned off during the scheduled update, the update will be installed the next time you start the computer.

In some cases, the update will require you to accept the End User License Agreement (EULA). If so, Windows will inform you. If the update requires you to restart your computer before installation, Windows will notify you to restart your computer to maintain security. Be sure to save your work frequently and remind other users to save your work, especially before the scheduled installation begins.

Please note that if you don't use the automatic (recommended) setting, Windows will only notify you of relevant updates when you log in as a member of the Administrators group. (Only administrators can add and remove programs, including updates. ) to inform you that the Windows Update icon will be displayed in the notification area and remind you that you can install new updates.

You don't have to connect to the Internet to install updates.

Is the automatic update the same as the update obtained from the Windows Update website?

Yes However, automatic updates only provide the latest important updates, which helps protect your computer from viruses and other security threats. These updates may include security updates, critical updates and service packs, and should be installed immediately after release. Visit the Windows Update website (/) regularly to download and install other types of updates, such as upgrades and tools to help improve computer performance.

How long does it take to download or install updates?

It depends on your Internet connection type and the size and quantity of updates downloaded or installed. Hover the mouse over the Windows Update icon displayed in the notification area to view the download progress. Please note that the update will be downloaded in the background without interrupting your work. When installing the update, click the Windows Update icon to view the details of the installation process. If there are a large number of updates, and the download process is expected to take a long time (due to slow connection or infrequent use of the Internet), Windows will also notify the updates that have been successfully downloaded at least every other day.

Do I need to restart my computer?

Not necessarily. Some updates cannot be installed or take effect until you restart your computer. For these updates, Windows will notify you to restart your computer to maintain security. If you are the administrator of the computer, you can delay the restart; Otherwise, Windows will send a warning and then restart your computer for you. Make sure you have saved your work, and remind other users to save your work, especially before the scheduled installation begins.

Do I need to accept the End User License Agreement (EULA)?

Sometimes. Some updates require you to accept the EULA before installing the update. These updates cannot be installed automatically, so a reminder and a Windows Update icon will be displayed in the notification area to inform you that these updates can be installed. Click the icon to view and accept these updated EULA, and then install them.

How do I know which updates have been installed?

To view the list of updates installed on your computer, please visit the Windows Update website (/). In the left pane, under More Options, click View Installation History. On Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2), with Service Pack 1 (SP 1). In Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or x64-based Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP operating system version, you can also open Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel and select the Show Updates check box.

How to ensure that installing updates is safe?

Windows uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to encrypt system information and updates transmitted between the computer and the Windows Update website. Every file downloaded with automatic update has a Microsoft digital signature. Digital signature aims to ensure the authenticity and integrity of the signed file. Automatic update does not install files that do not contain the correct digital signature.

How much does it cost to use automatic update?

This service is free. Microsoft will provide updates for free, which is a maintenance and support service for Windows users. No matter what tasks you perform on your computer, Microsoft is committed to helping protect the computing environment. Depending on the Internet connection, standard local and long-distance telephone charges and Internet service charges may be charged.

What information will be sent to Microsoft during the update process?

In order to provide you with the best possible service, Windows Update will collect some system configuration data to provide you with updates suitable for your computer. This information includes:

Computer brand and model

Windows version number

Internet Explorer version number

Version numbers of other Microsoft software with available updates.

Plug-and-play ID number of hardware device

Regional and language settings

Globally unique identifier (GUID)

Product ID and product key

BIOS name, revision number and revision date

Microsoft is committed to helping protect your privacy. Windows Update does not collect users' names, addresses, e-mail addresses or any other form of personally identifiable information. When you connect to the Windows Update site, your Internet Protocol (IP) address will be recorded, but this address is only used to generate comprehensive statistics. For more information about how to protect this information, see the Windows Update Privacy Statement. The Windows Update website (/) always retains this privacy statement.