Microsoft Windows Updates

Microsoft has to work aggressively putting out updates to maintain the security of its products it sells such as Windows 7 or Office 2010. Hackers seem to enjoy finding ways to compromise Windows Operating System Code and its threads and processes to gain Administrative access to the computer or entire network. I can't really stress the need to stay on top of this and keep your computer up to date on its patches.

One of the many and easier ways to get to the Windows Update website is to open Internet Explorer and select Tools from the top menu items. There will be a drop down menu with Windows Update as a possible selection - click on Windows Updates. If you have not been to the website anytime recently, you may get hit with an Active X popup that you will need to clear away to move forward. Try right clicking the top toolbar that says "To help protect your security, Internet Explorer has restricted this file from showing active content that could access your computer. Click here for more options..." and select Run add-on, Install Active X control, or Allow Blocked Content depending on your browser level and other factors. If a secondary box pops up, simply select OK or Run and then you should be able to move on to the Updates.

Once that is complete, you should see the Windows Update Install page asking you if you want an Express or Custom install. Express is generally all you need to select to get all the latest and greatest updates to keep your computer safe and secure.

Windows then goes out to 'find the latest updates' that are not already installed on your computer. Once that process is finished, you will see the list of updates Windows recommends to install, so select the Install button at the top to download and install these security updates.

It's also not completely uncommon to have to 'Agree' to the terms security agreement or what not before certain updates will install. Select Yes or I Accept to move on with the installation. Once the files have downloaded and installed, you will be prompted to reboot your computer for the updates to take effect. You've just updated and secured your computer!

Now that is the manual way. You can set your system to check for updates automatically and even install them for you. Here is a link to Microsoft's website detailing how to enable Automatic Updates.