SUNY Potdam

It is critically important that Windows be updated to avoid spyware, trojans, and certain viruses.

The best option is to set your Windows Computer to automatically download the update and to notify you when any update is ready to install.

There are different recommended ways to setup Automatic Updates depending on what version of Windows you have. See below for instructions for various versions of Windows.

If you have Windows XP with Service Pack 2:

• From the Start menu choose Setting and then Control Panel. 
• In the Control Panels window that opens, double-click Automatic Updates (Note: If you're using Windows XP and do not see Automatic Updates as a choice, click on the words Switch to Classic View on the left side of the window first.)  

• The Automatic Updates control panel is shown above. You will want to choose Automatic (recommended). Beginning with Windows Service Pack 2 any new updates will be installed at the specified time or when you turn your computer off. This ensures that new updates are installed. When you turn your computer off and there is an update to install you'll note that Windows displays the following message which is very important that you follow: Your computer is being updated, do not turn off or restart your computer. It will turn off automatically. 
• Click Apply and then OK. You may close the Control Panel. 

If you have Windows XP with Service Pack 1, Windows 2000, or Windows NT:

• From the Start menu choose Setting and then Control Panel. 
• In the Control Panels window that opens, double-click Automatic Updates (Note: If you're using Windows XP and do not see Automatic Updates as a choice, click on the words Switch to Classic View on the left side of the window first.)  

• The Automatic Updates control panel is shown above. You will want to choose Download Updates for me, but let me choose when to install them. This is probably a better alternative than scheduling them to happen automatically because your computer must be turned on during the scheduled time. If you do choose this option, be sure it's a time when your computer will be on! 
• Click Apply and then OK. You may close the Control Panel. 

What Will Happen Now?

From time to time as updates are downloaded to your computer, you will get a notification in the System Tray (that's the part of your Start bar near the clock) that will say New Updates Are Ready To Install. Clicking on that notice will bring up a dialog box that will allow you to install the update. It's possible that some updates require you to reboot your computer after they have finished installing. Be prepared to save what you are working on and restart! Updates that require you to restart your computer do not take affect (and protect you!) until that time.

Again, it is critical that these notices are not dismissed and the updates are applied in a timely fashion to keep your computer up-to-date!

Appendix: How do I tell which version of Windows XP I have?

• From the Start menu choose Setting and then Control Panel. 
• In the Control Panels window that opens, double-click System (Note: If you're using Windows XP and do not see Automatic Updates as a choice, click on the words Switch to Classic View on the left side of the window first.)  
• Click on the General tab. You'll see the version of XP you have under the System: section as in the example below.