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Windows Update icon Windows Update for Windows 98/Me

Contents

  1. Running and Installing Windows Updates
  2. Configuring the Windows Critical Update Notification
  3. Critical Update Notification

1. Running and Installing Windows Updates

Note: You must have internet connection in order to run Windows Updates. If you connect via modem, downloading the updates may take a very long time.

  1. Print out this page before continuing with the instructions below.
  2. If you need to log into your computer, then log in as you would normally.
  3. If your computer has any type of anti-virus program installed, close that program now.
    • If you have McAfee VirusScan, right-click on the shield icon VirusScan shield icon in the system tray at the lower-right corner of your screen and select Exit. Note: You will need to restart your computer after each time you run Windows Updates; VirusScan will be re-enabled upon restart.
  4. Close all open applications.
  5. Click on the Start button and then select Programs > Internet Explorer.
  6. In the Internet Explorer window, go to the Tools menu and select Windows Updates.
  7. If you are running Windows Update for the first time, when you enter Windows Update you will see a window entitled "Security Warning." It will ask you if you want to run and install Windows Updates. Do NOT check the box for Always trust content from Microsoft Corporation. Click Yes. During this time you may receive additional security warnings. To continue, click Yes.
  8. You may be prompted to update some files on your computer before you can use Windows Updates. Click Yes. In the window asking to restart your computer, click Restart and start these instructions again starting at step 2.
  9. In the Internet Explorer window, click the link: Scan for updates.
  10. Windows will scan for available updates for your computer.
  11. If you receive the following error message which forces Internet Explorer to close:

    Windows Update scan error message

    Check the box for Restart Microsoft Internet Explorer and click Don't Send. When Internet Explorer restarts, go to the following link in order to access Windows Updates: http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp?page=productupdates&sec=criticalupdates. Bookmark this page for easy referral when running future Windows Updates. Skip to step 13 after the page has finished loading.
  12. When the scanning is completed, under the Pick updates to install section on the left side of the Windows Update page, click on the Critical Updates and Service Packs link.
  13. If the right side of the page says: Windows Update did not find any critical updates for your computer, you have completed the installation of all critical Window Updates for your computer. Continue to the next section on Configuring the Windows Critical Update Notification.
  14. If there are critical updates to install, click on the link for Review and install updates to install the necessary updates and proceed to the next step.

    Windows Update sample page

  15. Next, you will be given a list of updates you may chose to install. You can read a full description of each item by clicking the item's Read more... link. The listed updates may include exclusive items that must be installed separately from other updates.
  16. If Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2 and Internet Tools is listed, click on this item's Remove button to remove it from the list of updates.
  17. To begin installing the updates, click Install Now.
  18. If you receive any errors about not being able to access the Windows Update site or have error downloading the updates from this point on, click here for directions for installing the latest version of Internet Explorer before repeating these directions for Windows Updates. Your computer may require a more up-to-date version of IE in order to run Windows Updates correctly.
  19. If the list of updates includes exclusive items that must be installed separately from other updates, a Microsoft Internet Explorer window will appear asking if you wish to install the exclusive update. Click OK.
  20. A window entitled "Microsoft Windows Update - Web Page Dialog" will appear. It will ask you if you want to accept the terms of the licensing agreement. Click Accept.
  21. A download window for the update will appear. After the download is finished, it will automatically install itself.
  22. If you are downloading the Windows Update for Internet Explorer and Internet Tools, a setup window will appear. Select I accept the agreement and click Next. In the next setup window, select Install Now - Typical set of components and click Next.
  23. Next, you will be asked to restart your computer to complete installation. Click OK to restart.
  24. There may be more critical updates that need to be installed after your computer restarts. After restarting, repeat the instructions in this section starting at step 2 for Running and Installing Windows Updates. You will know you have completed the installation of all critical Windows Update items when you see the results listed in step 13 in this section.
  25. Proceed to Configuring the Windows Critical Update Notification.

If you have any questions or problems, you can post to the Computing Questions conference on FirstClass at any time. For further assistance, faculty and staff members may call the Helpdesk at x3333, and students may contact their RCCs via the Student Computing Help Form.

2. Configuring the Windows Critical Update Notification

Once you have finished Running and Installing Windows Updates, you may configure the Windows Critical Update Notification. Windows Critical Update Notification automatically checks for new critical updates and notifies you when you need to install the updates on your computer.

  1. Double-click on the Task Scheduler icon Task Scheduler in the lower right corner of your screen.
  2. In the Scheduled Tasks window, double-click on Windows Critical Update Notification.
  3. Click on the Schedule tab.

    Windows Critical Update Notification

  4. In the drop-down menu under Schedule Task:, select Daily. In the drop-down menu under Start time:, set a start time (Note: Choose a time when the computer will be powered on and when you have time to install the update).
  5. In the Schedule Task Daily section, set it to Every 1 day.
  6. Click Apply and then OK.
  7. Close the Scheduled Tasks window.
  8. Proceed to the next section on Critical Update Notification for more information on what to do when the the Critical Update Notification window appears to notify you about new critical updates.

3. Critical Update Notification

Whenever there are new critical Windows Updates available, your computer will notify you at the pre-scheduled time with the following notification.

Critical Update Notification window

Whenever the Microsoft Critical Update Notification appears, you may read about the latest updates by clicking the View Critical Updates button. You may need to restart your computer after installation is complete, so remember to save your work. If you are not ready to install the updates when the notification appears, click on Notify Me Later and the notification will reappear in 24 hours.

When you are ready to install the updates, after clicking on the View Critical Updates button, click on the Install button in the Critical Update window. After installation is complete, if you are asked to restart your computer, click Yes.

If you have any questions or problems, you can post to the Computing Questions conference on FirstClass at any time. For further assistance, faculty and staff members may call the Helpdesk at x3333, and students may contact their RCCs via the Student Computing Help Form.

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