Windows Update for Windows Vista

If you have not set strong passwords on all of the user accounts on your Windows Vista computer, follow the documentation for Windows Passwords before continuing with these instructions.

• Follow the directions below for Running and Installing Windows Updates.
• Then configure the automatic download and installation notification of future Windows Updates by following the directions for Configuring Automatic Updates.

I. Running and Installing Windows Updates

Note: Your computer must be connected to the Internet in order to run Windows Updates. If you connect via modem, downloading the updates may take a very long time.

1. Print this page and follow its instructions starting at this point.
2. Log in to your computer as an Administrator.
   • If you are using a faculty or staff college-owned computer, log in as you would normally.
   • If you are using a personally-owned computer, log into your computer using your Administrator account (or the first account that was set up on your computer which has Computer Administrator privileges).
3. Close all open applications.
4. Go to the Start Menu and select Internet Explorer.
5. In the Internet Explorer window, go to the Tools menu and select Windows Updates.
6. If you see a window entitled Security Warning appear as the Windows Update site loads, do NOT check the box for Always trust content from Microsoft Corporation and click Yes. Click Install on the web page.
7. In the left pane, click Check for updates, and then wait while Windows looks for the latest updates for your computer.



8. If any updates are found, click Install updates. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or confirmation.

Note: To install optional updates, you need to review and then select them from the list of updates that Windows finds for your computer. Optional updates are not installed automatically. To do so, on the left pane, click Check for updates. If any updates are found, click View available updates.  Select optional updates that you want, and click Install. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.


9.  After Windows Vista is finished updating, save any open files, then click on the Restart now button to restart your computer.

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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II. Configuring Automatic Updates

Once you have finished Running and Installing Windows Updates, you can configure Automatic Updates to automatically download and install updates at a particular time of day. Note: If you have already set up Automatic Updates on your computer or do not wish to change the default setting of downloading and installing updates at 3 AM, skip to the instructions on what to do When new Windows Updates are available.

1. If you are not logged into your computer, log in now.
   • If you are using a faculty or staff college-owned computer, log in as you would normally.
   • If you are using a personally-owned computer, log into your computer using your Administrator account (or the first account that was set up on your computer which has Computer administrator privileges).
2. Go to the Start Menu and click on the Internet Explorer. On the Tools Bar, click on Windows Updates. On the left hand panel, click on Change Settings. Choose the option that you want:



3. The Automatic option should be selected. Change the time at which the updates download and install by clicking on the drop-down menu for the indicated time.
4. Click OK.

• Doug Chudzik
• Information Services
• Last Modified: June 18, 2007