This article describes the Microsoft Windows Critical Update Notification utility (version 4.0) that is available from the Windows Update Web site for Windows 98-based and Windows 98 Second Edition-based computers.

Note that previous versions of the Critical Update Notification utility were available for Windows 2000-based computers. Automatic Updating is now available for Windows 200-based computers, Windows Millennium Edition-based and Windows XP-based computers. For additional information about Automatic Updating in Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, click the following link:

For additional information about Automatic Updating in Microsoft Windows 2000 and Microsoft Windows XP, click the following link:

After you install the Windows Critical Update Notification utility on a computer that is running Windows 98 or Windows 98 Second Edition, by default, this tool checks for an Internet connection every 5 minutes. Note that no connection is made to the Windows Update Web site during this time. Windows Critical Update Notification is checking for the existence of a connection to the Internet. If a connection to the Internet exists, Windows Critical Update Notification connects to the Windows Update Web site, and if updates are found, you receive the following message:

If a connection to the Internet is not found after the first hour of checking, Windows Critical Update Notification only checks for an Internet connection once every 60 minutes.

If the check for Critical Updates is successful, Windows Critical Update Notification does not check for an Internet connection for the next 24 hours. For example, if Windows Critical Update Notification checks for critical updates but there are none available (a "silent check") or it checks and you view critical updates, Windows Critical Update Notification does not check for an Internet connection for the next 24 hours. If an error occurs during the "Check for updates" procedure, Windows Critical Update Notification follows the same pattern of checking for an Internet connection again every 5 minutes for the first hour, and so on until it is successful.

NOTE: A problem in the preceding situation may not be obvious. For example, a problem during this procedure can occur because of line noise that may be encountered during the connection or something else that may be beyond your control. Also, if you choose the Notify me later option or click the X to close the dialog box, Windows Critical Update Notification does not check for an Internet connection for 24 hours.

If the Windows Critical Update Notification dialog box is displayed but is left open and you do not take any action, a connection is not made to the Windows Update Web site and checks for an Internet connection are not made until you choose one of the following actions in the dialog box:

You can install Windows Critical Update Notification by using the Windows Update Web Site:

You can remove Windows Critical Update Notification by using Add/Remove Programs:

Question: Is Windows Critical Update Notification reset if I restart my computer?
Answer: No, if the Windows Critical Update Notification utility is on a 24 hour timeout, it is not reset when you shut down or restart your computer. This is because the Windows Critical Update Notification utility maintains a time record in the registry that you cannot change without modifying your Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) system clock. Unless you alter the time in the BIOS, the 24 hour timestamp remains in effect until it expires.

Question: Can I change the scheduled behavior of Windows Critical Update Notification?
Answer: No, if the scheduled task is modified, the tool reverts to the default settings the next time Windows Critical Update Notification runs. Note that this behavior is by design to ensure that you are notified of updates in a timely manner.