How to Enable Automatic Updates

Updating Windows 7 and Vista

1. 
   Click the Start menu at the bottom left of your computer screen. In Windows Vista and Windows 7 the word "Start" is not shown on the icon. Look for the four-colored Microsoft rectangles arranged in a square.
2. 
   Type the words "Windows update" into the Start menu search box.
3. 
   Click the Windows Update program, which will appear in the Start menu at the top of the list of programs.
4. 
   Click "Change settings" in the window that opens. ("Change settings" will appear in a pane on the left side of the window.)
5. Select one of the four options for automatic updates from the drop down menu.

   1. You can select, "Install updates automatically (recommended)." If you select automatic installment, Windows will download and install updates in the background while you work, then restart the computer automatically after a designated amount of time.
      
   2. If you select, "Download updates but let me choose whether to download and install them," the icon in the Start menu to the left of the icons you click to turn off or lock your computer will change to red when updates are ready to be installed. To install updates, click the red button. Your computer will shut down and install Windows updates next time you restart your computer.
      
   3. You can also choose, "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them." If you select this option, frequently check the Windows Update program via the Control Panel or the Start menu.
      
   4. There is also an option that says, "Never check for updates (not recommended)."
      
6. 
   Click "OK" after selecting the option you want to save the settings and close the window.