About Windows Update
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
Windows Update is an online extension of Windows. Currently, Windows Update
consists of two areas: the Product Updates catalog and the Support Information
area. Use the navigation bar on the left side of your screen to browse these
areas.
About Support Information
Support Information is the Windows Update information center. Here, you can get
help using Windows Update by reading our Frequently Asked Questions and Known
Issues pages, or contacting Microsoft Support.
Contents
About Product Updates
About Support Information
For corporate IT managers only
The Product Updates area is a catalog of fixes, updates, and enhancements to
Windows and many programs that work with Windows. The catalog allows you to
"shop" for components that will make your computer work better.
Browse through the catalog, select as many components as you would like, and
download and install them straight from the Web to your computer. (If you've
never downloaded something from the Web before, you'll want to read the
"What do I need to do?" section below.) If you would like, the catalog
can determine which updates and enhancements will work specifically with your
computer, based on the software you already have installed.
When you first come to the Product Updates page, Windows Update scans your
system to see what you have installed and gives you a list of suggested
components. This scan is done on your computer to ensure the safety and
privacy of your system information. None of this information is sent to
Microsoft or over the Internet. This system check assures that you will get
the most up-to-date and accurate versions of anything you choose to download
from the site. Additionally, you won't waste time downloading components you
have already installed.
When the list of components appears on the page, you can browse it, decide which
components you want, and download them right to your computer. A few things to
note:
-
Be sure to download any Critical Updates recommended for your system.
Critical Updates will fix known problems (such as security issues) specific
to your computer.
-
The following icons give you at-a-glance information:
Cool!: Fun updates that we really like.
New this Month: This month's new selections.
Best for Advanced Users: Components designed for more advanced computer
users.
Updated this Month: New versions of components that have previously been on
Windows Update.
Product Updates makes it easy to download updates and enhancements to the
software on your computer.
-
First, browse the catalog.
-
When you decide you want a certain component, click the box next to it. A
check mark appears in the box. Before you choose to download a component,
click the "Read this first" link for important information,
including:
-
A more detailed description of the component
-
How to begin using the component
-
Instructions for uninstalling
-
Support policy
-
If you decide you don't want a product you've already selected, just click
the box again to remove the check mark.
-
When you have selected all the components you want, click the Download
button.
-
A page appears. Make sure that all the components you want are in the list.
To make a change, click the Back button.
-
Click the Start Download button. All the components you selected will
be downloaded, then installed. Some components may ask you for additional
information during installation.
When you see the Installation Complete message, you're done! Some
components may require you to shut down and restart your computer after
installation of all components is complete.
Most components can be uninstalled right from Product Updates page. To
uninstall:
-
Go to the Product Updates page. When the dialog box appears, click Yes.
-
When the Product Updates page appears, click the Show Installed Updates
button at the top of the page.
-
Click the Uninstall button to the right of the component you want to
uninstall.
You can now download device drivers from the Product Updates catalog.
A device driver is a program that controls a piece of hardware (such as a
printer, monitor, disk drive, or video card) that is attached to your computer.
Many device drivers come installed with Windows, but in some cases (for example,
when you buy a new piece of hardware) you may need a driver that was not
available when you installed Windows. To keep up with the newest hardware, we
are constantly adding new drivers to the Product Updates site.