Windows Automatic Updates
Contents:Summary
What are Automatic Updates?
What do I need to do?
How can I manually change the configuration of Automatic Updates?
Summary
OMT has tried to configure every Windows 2000 computer to use Automatic Updates. If you are unsure about which version of Windows you are running, see the information below. We have used the basic configuration which requires everyone to install the updates themselves. We think this gives people the flexibility to continue working until a convenient time.
If you would like to opt into a higher level of protection, OMT can configure your computer to actually download and install the updates on a fixed schedule. Please submit a Helpdesk Request on the Museum Intranet to take advantage of this feature.
What Are Automatic Updates?
The Automatic Update Service is part of Microsoft Windows that can be configured to check the Microsoft web site for critical software updates. These updates are usually related to the security of your computer, and fix bugs that would allow malicious software from doing "bad things" to your computer and the computers around you. If your computer connects to any network or the Internet, it should receive these updates to protect your computer (and your important data!).
What Do I Need To Do?
When important updates are available for your computer, this icon will appear in your Windows System Tray:
It is important that you install the updates as soon as possible. Click on the icon to start downloading the updates. After a few minutes, click on it again to start installing the updates.
Here is a typical sequence of screens you will see after clicking on the Automatic Update icon in your system tray:
How Can I Manually Enable or Change the Configuration of Automatic Updates?
Start the Automatic Updates tool through Start -> Control Panel. Set the options the way that you want them. OMT has chosen to configure computers with the first option, which does not automatically install the updates but only notifies the computer operator that updates are available. This configuration would look something like this:
Check the Enable Automatic Updates check box, and then click Apply. Click Ok.
The Automatic Updates Service may wait up to 24 hours before displaying the icon in the system tray. If you want to make sure your computer is up-to-date, please visit the Windows Update web site to download and install the patches manually (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com).