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Division of Information Technology
PO Box 1510
Pembroke, NC 28372

Help Desk
Phone: 910.521.6260
Fax: 910.775.4337
Email: helpdesk@uncp.edu Location: D.F. Lowry Building, Room 110

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Phone: 910.775.4355
Fax: 910.775.4333
Email: doit@uncp.edu Location: Carter Hall

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Updating the Windows Vista, XP and 2000 Operating Systems

It is important that you download and install the critical updates that Microsoft has released for the Windows operating system. In particular, these updates close security vulnerabilities that can allow a malicious user to access your system.

Users of all supported versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system can visit Microsoft's Windows Update Web site (update.microsoft.com). That Web site should automatically take you to the correct set of updates for your computer's version of the Windows operating system and, after you set things up as shown below, the correct updates for other Microsoft software installed on your computer. (Note: You must use Internet Explorer to visit the Windows Update site.)

Microsoft never sends patches by e-mail. Beware of e-mail claiming to be from Microsoft with attached Windows patches. Microsoft does provide an alert service informing subscribers when security updates are released. However, that service refers users to the standard Microsoft update procedures.

The directions below show you how to do this for the Windows XP operating system, using the Windows Update selection from your computer's Start menu.

Downloading Critical Updates Manually

  1. In order for Windows Update to function properly, your computer's date needs to be set correctly. Before running Windows Update for the first time, check your computer's date setting to be sure it's accurate.

    Go to the Date and Time Properties window. You can get there by right-clicking on the clock in your computer's toolbar and then selecting Adjust Date/Time. You can also get there by selecting Date and Time from the Control Panel.

    Date and Time

    Set the date and time if necessary. Then click OK.

  2. Click on your computer's Start button.

  3. Select Windows Update. You will usually find it either on the Start menu or on the Start menu's listing of All Programs. If you don't see it in either place, open Internet Explorer, then from the Tools menu, select Windows Update.

  4. You may be prompted with a Security Warning. If so, select Yes.


    Warning


    This will start Internet Explorer and go to the Windows Update site.

    Note: If you prefer, you can use Internet Explorer to go directly to the Windows Update site (windowsupdate.microsoft.com) instead of using the Windows Update selection on the Start menu.

  5. If this is the first time you have gone to the Windows Update site, Microsoft's Web site will check your system for a valid license for the Windows operating system.


    WIndows Validation


    Click Continue.


    Validating Computer


    Click Continue.

    If the site senses that your copy of Windows XP is not valid, you will not be able to install any Windows updates manually. Follow the instructions from the Microsoft Web site to validate your copy of the operating system or to acquire a licensed copy.

    If your software's license validates properly, you'll see a Web page like the one below.

    Click Continue.

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Installing Microsoft Update

You can now get updates for Windows, Office and other Microsoft applications all in one place: the Microsoft Update feature on the Windows Update Web site. If you select this once, you will always get the latest updates to all your computer's Microsoft applications automtatically.

  1. On the Windows Update page, shown below,

    window update

    click the Go button next to New! Get Microsoft Update today!

  2. Click the Start Now button on the next screen.

    Update today

    If prompted to review a license agreement for the updates, do so, then select Continue or Accept.

  3. If you are using a new computer or one on which you have not installed Microsoft ActiveX control, you may see a screen like the one below:

    ActiveX

    If so, follow the directions on the screen.

  4. After Microsoft Update is set up you'll see a Web page like the one below:

    Check for Update

    Select Check for Updates.

  5. Next, you'll see the Welcome to Microsoft Update Web page.

    Express

    Select Express to check for all high-priority Microsoft updates.

  6. Select Install Updates from the next Web page.

    results

    If prompted to review a license agreement for the updates, do so, then select Accept.

  7. While the critical updates are downloaded and installed, a screen showing the status of the installation will be displayed.

    Status

  8. Upon completion, you will be prompted to restart your system. Select Restart Now.

    Restart Now

  9. Your system will reboot with the critical updates installed. You should repeat these steps until all critical updates are installed. When you see the message No high-priority updates for your computer are available, all critical updates have been installed.

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Configuring Automatic Updates

  1. In order to keep your system protected on an ongoing basis, you should activate Automatic Updates. To do this, right-click My Computer (on your computer's desktop or on the Start menu), then select Properties.

  2. Select the Automatic Updates tab.

    Automatic Updates

    Make certain that Automatic (recommended) is selected. Set the frequency to Every day and the time to an hour when your computer is usually turned on. (If your computer is turned off at that time, the system will check for updates the next time it is turned on.)

  3. Click OK when you are finished.

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Updated: Thursday, May 26, 2011

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