STS: Student Technology Services

If your computer gives you a message that looks like this:

Fig. 1: Windows warning message

Then you will need to turn on automatic updates. Click here for instructions on Enabling Automatic Updates on Windows Vista.

After turning on Automatic Updates, you will need to update Windows manually to ensure that your computer's operating system is fully up to date.

Click on the Start Button, then All Programs. Find Windows Update in the list and click on it.

Fig. 2: Start Menu > All Programs

The Windows Update window will come up. If this is your first time using Windows Update the window may look something like the figure below. Notice the option to Get updates for more products. This option will add support for Microsoft Office updates. Since Microsoft Office can also be susceptible to malicious software it is advisable that you select this option. This will keep both Windows and Office patched and up-to-date.

Fig. 3: Microsoft Update

After selecting Get updates for more products your will be taken to a web page. This page is the Terms of Use. You must accept the Terms of Use and select install.

Fig. 3a Excepting Terms of use and installing.

Once you install Microsoft Update you will return to the Windows Update window.

Windows Update will begin to scan your computer and look for updates that you'll need to install.

Fig. 4: Windows Update Searching for Updates

When this finishes it will tell you how many updates that you will need to install. Click on the Install Updates button to proceed with the installation.

Fig. 5: Updates to install

You will be given the progress of the Downloads and Install process.

Fig. 6: Progress of download and installation

After all updates finish installing, you will see a mesage that updates were successfully installed. It will also advise you of any updates that have failed to install or that have not been installed. If there are any updates that fall into these categories, then go back and repeat the Microsoft Update process again.

Fig. 7: Updates summary page

Some updates may require you to restart your computer after they install. It is highly recommened that you restart your computer at this time. Just click the "Restart Now" button to restart.