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Windows Update for Windows XP

To run Windows Updates on your computer, please 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.

For a quick Flash animation guide to using Windows Updates in Windows XP, please click here.

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.
  3. Close all open applications.
  4. Launch Internet Explorer from the Start Menu or Desktop.
  5. In Internet Explorer, go to Tools > 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. Click the link for Express Install. Windows will scan for available updates for your computer.
  8. If the High Priority Updates section lists - No updates available, continue to the next section on Configuring Automatic Updates.
  9. If your computer needs to install Windows XP Service Pack 2, you should make sure you have backed up all of your personal files before continuing to install this service pack.
    1. Click Install.
    2. A Welcome to Windows XP Service Pack 2 Setup Wizard will soon appear. Click Next.
    3. Select I agree and click Next.
    4. Click Next.
    5. Windows Update will proceed to inspect your configuration, archive your old system files, and continue the download and install of the Service Pack. This process will take some time.
    6. When installation is complete, click Finish. Your computer will restart.
    7. Upon restarting, a Help protect your PC screen may appear. Select Help protect my PC by turning on Automatic Updates now and then click the Next button at the lower right corner of the screen.

      8. Help Protect your PC screen

    8. Log into your computer with the same account.
    9. A Security Center window may appear. If it doesn't automatically appear, go to Start > Control Panel and double-click on Security Center.
    10. Click on the Windows Firewall link near the bottom of the window.
    11. Click on the Advanced tab.
    12. In the ICMP section, click on the Settings button.

      13. Windows Firewall window - Advanced tab

    13. Check the box for Allow incoming echo requests and click OK.

    14. Click OK.
    15. Close the Security Center window.
    16. There may be more critical or high priority updates that need to be installed. Repeat instructions starting from step 4 above to launch Internet Explorer.
  10. If any High Priority Updates are listed, click Install.

    11. Windows Update Express Install page

  11. A window titled Installing Updates will appear.
  12. When installation is complete, click Restart Now.

    13. Click Restart Now

  13. There may be more critical or high priority updates that need to be installed after your computer restarts. 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 outlined in step 8 in this section. After you have installed all of the high priority updates, continue to the next section on Configuring Automatic Updates.

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 Windows XP 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 Control Panel.
  3. Double-click on Automatic Updates.

    4. Automatic Updates window

  4. 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.
  5. Click OK.
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