How to Set Up Automatic Windows Updates in Windows 7

If your Windows 7 computer is not currently set up to update itself automatically, consider turning on automatic Windows updates. Doing so ensures that your computer is always patched with the latest security fixes, device drivers, and enhancements from Microsoft. Updating Windows is easy to do. If for any reason the automatic Windows updates don't go as expected, it's also easy to roll your system back to its pre-update condition.

Why Updating Windows 7 is Important

Microsoft regularly issues new updates to all of its operating systems. These updates range from fixing minor bugs and adding new features to adding support for new hardware devices and patching major security vulnerabilities. By keeping your Windows 7 computer patched with the latest updates, your computer will be less vulnerable to attacks and ready for the latest plug and play devices. While you could update Windows manually, setting up automatic Windows updates is easy - even if you do not know how to update Windows. Once set up, you don't need to worry about this computer maintenance task.

How to Turn on Updates in Windows 7:

Click the Start button and click on Control Panel. Find the Windows Update icon and click it. Alternately, you can click Start and then type the word "update" into the Search box. Windows 7 will then present you with a clickable link labeled "Windows Update." Once in the Windows Update screen, click on "Change settings" in the left pane. Now, choose either "Install updates automatically" (this enables automatic Windows updates) or "Download updates but let me choose whether to install them." Pick a time to install new updates and then select the two following options: recommended updates and Microsoft update. Use your own best judgment as far as the other two options. Click OK to confirm your choices.

What to Expect After Updating Windows 7

Once your computer is set to update Windows 7 automatically, you won't need to do anything other than reboot your computer if prompted. Depending when the updates are set to install, you may be prompted with a message to reboot your computer or postpone the restart by several hours. If your computer is updating Windows when you're not around, Windows will save your currently opened documents (if supported), close your programs, and reboot after a preset amount of time. If the update was successful, your computer is ready to be used as normal. Should the update adversely affect operations, you can use System Restore to rollback your system to its previous state.

By enabling automatic Windows updates, you do not need to remember to check for updates periodically, or even know how to update Windows for that matter. Simply follow these steps once and let your Windows 7 computer take care of this task automatically.