Product Support

Checking and Installing Windows Updates

Windows XP

Install Updates Manually

  1. Open Internet Explorer.

  2. Select Tools >> (Microsoft) Windows Update.

    • If Windows Update has not been run previously, a pop-up will open asking to install the Windows Update software >> click Install.

  3. ​Click Custom.

  4. The High Priority Updates will display if there are any available to install.

    • If the available updates are not already selected, click Select All.

  5. Under Select by Type: 

    • Click Software, Optional from the side menu >> click the checkbox for each optional update in the list.

    • Click Hardware, Optional form the side menu >> click the checkbox for each optional update in the list. 

  6. Click Install Updates from the side menu >> Install Updates.

  7. The Installing Updates pop-up will display the status.

  8. Once the updates are complete, click Restart Now.

  9. Confirm that all updates have been completed by following steps 1-3.

    • If additional updates are displayed, continue these steps until no updates are available. 

Set Up Automatic Updates

  1. To open Windows Update, click Start >> Control Panel.

  2. Click Automatic Updates.

  3. On the Automatic Updates pop-up, select Automatic (recommended).

    • From the drop-down menus, select Every day and a time for the updates to install. 

  4. Click Apply >> OK.

Windows Vista/7

Install Updates Manually

  1. Open Windows Update by clicking Start >> (All) Programs.

    • For Windows Classic View, click Start >> Windows Update.

  2. Click Windows Updates.

  3. On the side menu, click Check for Updates.

  4.  If there are available updates to install, the Windows Update Message will display >> select an available update link.

  5. Click each item on the side menu and confirm that all updates have been selected.

  6. If the available updates are not already selected, click the checkbox next to Name to select all updates within that category.

  7. Click OK.

  8. Click Install Updates.

  9. Once the updates are complete, click Restart Now to restart the computer.

  10. Confirm that all updates have been completed by following steps 1-2.

    • If additional updates are displayed, continue these steps until no updates are available. 

Set Up Automatic Install

  1. Open Windows Update by clicking the Start button >> (All) Programs.

    • For Windows Classic View, click the Start button >> Windows Update.

  2. Click Windows Updates.

  3. On the side menu, click Change Settings.

  4. Under Important updates, select Install updates Automatically (recommended) from the drop down menu. 

    • Next to Install new updates, select Every day and a time for the updates to install. 

  5. Under Recommended updates, select Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates >> click OK.

Windows 8

Install Updates Manually

  1. To open Windows Update, hover over the bottom left hand corner of the screen until the Start menu appears >> right-click on the Start menu >> click System.

  2. Click Windows Update.

  3. Click Check for Updates.

  4. The Windows Update Message will display available updates to install.

    • Click an available update link.

  5. Click each item on the left side menu and confirm that all updates have been marked with a checkbox. 

  6. If the available updates are not already selected, click the checkbox next to Name to select all updates within that category >> click Install.

  7. Once the updates are complete, click Restart Now to restart the computer.

  8. Confirm that all updates have been completed by following steps 1-4.

    • If additional updates are displayed, continue these steps until no updates are available. 

Set Up Automatic Install

  1. To open Windows Update, hover over the bottom left hand corner of the screen until the Start menu appears >> right-click on the Start menu >> click System.

  2. Click Windows Update.

  3. Click Change Settings.

  4. Select Install updates automatically >> under Recommended updates, check Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates >> click OK.