STS: Student Technology Services

If you are using Windows Vista, please see the Windows Update - Vista page by clicking here.

Windows XP updates can be downloaded from http://update.microsoft.com. This guide can be used to assist you with downloading and installing them if necessary.

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 XP.

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. Open up Internet Explorer (Note: Windows Update will not work with alternate web browsers such as Firefox or Opera). Navigate to the web address windowsupdate.microsoft.com. When you first open up the site, it may ask you to install software. When the Security Warning window pops up, click on install.

Fig. 2: Security Warning pop-up window

When the software finishes installing the Welcome to Windows Update main page will come up. If this is your first time using Windows Update the main page may look something like the figure below. Notice the option to install Microsoft Update. This option will add support for Microsoft Office. 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

Should you choose to disable Microsoft Updates later, (1) click on Change Settings, (2) put a check next to Disable Microsoft Updates..., and (3) click on Apply Changes Now. Disabling Microsoft Updates only means you will not receive updates for Microsoft products such as Office, not Microsoft Windows updates.

Fig. 3a: Disable Microsoft Update

Once you install Microsoft Update you will be directed to the Welcome to Microsoft Update main page. Click on the Express button. If the Microsoft Update page says that you do not have automatic updates installed (highlighted in red on the right side of the page), click here to turn on Automatic Updates in Windows XP..

Fig. 4: Windows Update main page.

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

Fig. 5: Windows Update Searching for Updates

When this finishes it will give you a list of the updates that you will need to install. Click on the Install Updates button to proceed with the installation.

Fig. 6: List of updates to install

A new window will pop up showing the progress of the installation and download.

Fig. 7: Progress of installation and download

After all updates finish installing, a page will come up allowing you to review the updates that have been installed. It will also show 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. 8: Updates summary page

Some updates may require you to restart your computer after they install. If this is the case, another window will pop up asking you to reboot your computer. It is highly recommened that you restart your computer at this time. Just click the "Restart Now" button to restart.

If you have any questions about using Windows or Microsoft updates, please call the STS Hotline at (202) 994-7041 during business hours.