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Critical Updates for Microsoft Windows

Last Update: 11/6/07

These instructions apply to personal computers only. Computers on the UCCS domain are already set to download the updates automatically. When notified that the downloads are ready to install, please install them as soon as possible to prevent computer vulnerabilities.

It is necessary to install all critical updates to your Windows system at least monthly. Microsoft updates their software constantly to correct problems. If you're using Windows 2000 or XP, you can configure your computer to download all critical updates automatically. Do the updates manually first and then configure to do it automatically (both instructions below).

Manual Updates

1. Click on the Start button (usually at the bottom left hand corner of the screen) and choose Windows Update. (If you don't have Windows Update on your Start menu, start Internet Explorer and select Windows Update under the Tools menu or go to the following webpage: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.) The website is a little different depending on the version of Windows.

Note: If asked to install Active-X, click the bar under the toolbars and select Install. (Other websites might ask you to install Active-X. Do NOT install it unless you trust the website completely!)

2. At the web page, click on the Express button.

3. If critical updates are listed, click the Install Updates button. Agree to terms, if asked.

4. Some updates cannot be installed until other updates are installed. Therefore rerun Windows Updates until it states there are no more critical updates to install.

5. Note: You may have to restart your computer after the updates are installed. Choose an appropriate time to do Windows Update when you aren't working on a project that cannot be saved and interrupted.

Automatic Updates for Windows 2000 and XP only.

6. Right-click on My Computer and select Manage. (For Windows XP, click the Start button to see My Computer.)

Screen Capture
7. Click "Services and Applications" on the left side of the window. Then double-click Services on the right side.
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8. Click "Automatic Updates" on the right side of the window. Then click the Start link in the middle.

9. After the service starts, close the window.

10. Each time you boot up your computer, Windows will check Microsoft for critical updates. If any exist, they will download automatically. You will get a pop-up saying you have updates to install. Click the icon in the lower right of your screen to open a window. Click the Install button. After the update installs, you may be prompted to restart your computer.

Should you have trouble updating Windows, please call the Help Desk at 262-3536. We will do our best to help you find out what is wrong. Failure to update your computer may lead to a computer failure.