How to Change the Automatic Updates Setting in Windows XP

Microsoft Windows XP has many security features including the automatic Windows update function. This feature will keep your computer up to date with the very latest security and performance updates from Microsoft. By enabling the Windows update feature, your operating system will be more secure. On many computers, this feature is turned off by default.

To enable the automatic Windows update feature, click on the start button, and then on the right side of the menu you will see the words control panel. Click on control panel and a window will appear. On the bottom right hand corner of that window you will see the words security center. Click on the security center icon to bring up the Windows security center main window. You may need to scroll the window down to the bottom to see where the window displays the icons and words for managing security options. Click on automatic updates on the very bottom of the window.

Another window will come up on your screen. There are four main options in this window. The first turns off automatic updates altogether. Most likely, this option is already checked. The second option notifies you of any new updates that are made available from Microsoft. The third option automatically downloads all available updates from Microsoft but allows you to choose when to install them. The fourth option automatically downloads and installs all available updates at a time and day of your choosing.

If you leave your computer on all night, then the best option is to choose the automatic setting. It will be the first option in the window. To select this option click on the circle beside the automatic setting. Then click on the first box underneath that option. This box will allow you to either have your computer automatically download and install updates everyday at the time you select or only on certain days of the week. To always be up to date, choose every day. Or you can choose any of the seven days of the week. To choose an option first click on the box and then click on the option you want. Then click on the box to the right that will drop down a list so you can choose what time to update. You can choose any time of the day in hourly increments. Click on the time you want your computer to update. It is important to make sure that your computer is on at the day and time you have selected to make sure your computer receives all of the updates made available from Microsoft. Click the apply button and then click ok to save your new settings.

The other recommended choice is for if you do not leave your computer on constantly. This option will automatically download all available updates automatically and give you the option of when to install them. All available updates will download in the background while you use your computer. To choose this option, click on the circle beside the setting that says, "Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them." Then click the apply button to save your new settings and then click ok to close the window.

If you would prefer have more control over your updates, you can choose the option that notifies you of any new updates for Windows from Microsoft but allows you to choose which ones to download and when to download them. This option also allows you to choose when to install the updates. To select this option, click the circle beside the setting that says, "Notify me but don't automatically download or install them." Then click the apply button to save your new settings and then click ok to close the window.