Description of the Automatic Updates Feature in Windows
This article is from Microsoft published here for your
convenience.
SUMMARY
This article describes the Automatic Updates feature in
Microsoft Windows 2000 and Microsoft Windows XP. For additional
information about Automatic Updates in Microsoft Windows
Millennium Edition, click the following link:
Description of Automatic Updates in Windows Millennium Edition (Me)
Note Automatic Updates is not available for
Microsoft Windows 98-based computers or Microsoft Windows NT
4.0-based computers, but a Critical Update Notification utility
is available from the Windows Update Web site to notify you when
critical updates are available for download on these platforms.
For additional information about the Critical Update
Notification utility, click the following link:
Description of the Windows Critical Update Notification Utility
The Critical Update Notification utility was previously
available for Windows 2000, but it has been replaced by the new
Automatic Updates feature.
MORE INFORMATION
The Automatic Updates feature is included with Windows XP, but a
new Automatic Updates feature is available for both Windows XP
and Windows 2000 Service Pack 2 (SP2) or later that you can use
to specify the schedule that Windows follows to install updates
on your computer. For additional information about how to
install the new Automatic Updates feature and configure
automatic updating by using the Windows XP or Windows 2000 user
interface, click the following links:
HOW TO: Configure Automatic Updating in Windows XP
HOW TO: Configure and Use Automatic Updates in Windows 2000
For additional information about how to configure Automatic
Updates by using Group Policy or registry settings, click the
following link:
How to Configure Automatic Updates by Using Group Policy or Registry Settings
For additional information about how to schedule Automatic
Updates, click the following link:
HOW TO: Schedule Automatic Updates in Windows XP and Windows 2000
With the Automatic Updates feature, Windows can keep your
computer up to date automatically with the latest updates and
enhancements. You no longer have to search for critical updates
and information; Windows delivers them directly to your
computer. Windows recognizes when you are online and uses your
Internet connection to search for downloads from the Windows
Update Web site. An icon appears in the notification area each
time new updates are available.
You can specify how and when you want Windows to update your computer. For example, you can set up Windows to automatically download and install updates on a schedule that you specify. Or you can have Windows notify you whenever it finds updates available for your computer; it will then download the updates in the background. This permits you to continue working uninterrupted. After the download is complete, an icon appears in the notification area with a message that the updates are ready to be installed. When you click the icon or message, you can install the new updates in a few simple steps. If you do not install a specific update that has been downloaded, Windows deletes its files from your computer. If you change your mind later, you can download it again by restoring declined updates.
Notes
You can specify how and when you want Windows to update your computer. For example, you can set up Windows to automatically download and install updates on a schedule that you specify. Or you can have Windows notify you whenever it finds updates available for your computer; it will then download the updates in the background. This permits you to continue working uninterrupted. After the download is complete, an icon appears in the notification area with a message that the updates are ready to be installed. When you click the icon or message, you can install the new updates in a few simple steps. If you do not install a specific update that has been downloaded, Windows deletes its files from your computer. If you change your mind later, you can download it again by restoring declined updates.
Notes
- To modify Automatic Updates settings, you must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may also prevent you from completing this procedure.
- Windows may prompt you to restart your computer after certain components are installed. Restart your computer when prompted; otherwise, your computer may not work correctly.
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You can always install specific updates from the Windows Update Web site. To do this, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
- The Windows Update Catalog is available for advanced users and administrators who want to download updates to install later or install on one or more computers that run Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 across a home or corporate network. For additional information about how to download updates from the Windows Update Catalog, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
- For information about how to troubleshoot Windows Update issues, visit the following Microsoft Windows Update Web site: