Article ID : S500006322 / Last Modified : 11/04/2018Print

How to activate automatic Windows update in Windows® XP?

    Regarding automatic Windows update in Windows® XP.

    Windows® XP obtains the latest components of Windows automatically and updates the system to the latest version transparently to users. Namely, users do not need to search for important updates and information by themselves as Windows is able to obtain them by itself. Windows identifies updates applicable to the computer and notifies users whenever new updates become available. It is advised to use automatic update as this can minimise the damages caused by the recent popular virus worm attacks.

    Please follow the steps below to set the automatic update function:
    Note: Ensure the computer is connected to the Internet before proceeding.
    1. Click Start, right-click My Computer and click Properties.
    2. Click Automatic Updates and select the Keep my coimputer up to date option.
    3. Select any 3 of the setting options available to download the Windows updates. (Please below for more details)
    4. Click Apply and click OK.

    * Setting options
    Notify me before downloading any updates and notify me again when they are ready to be installed
    When Windows finds updates that apply to the computer, an icon appears in the taskbar with a message that updates are ready to be downloaded. After clicking the icon (or its message), the specific updates to be downloaded can selected. Windows then downloads the selected updates in the background. When the download is completed, the icon appears in the taskbar again, this time to notify that updates for the computer are ready to be installed. The specific updates to be installed on the computer can then be selected.

    Automatically download updates and notify me when they are ready to be installed
    Windows finds updates that apply to the computer and download these updates in the background (user is not notified or interrupted during this process). After the download is completed, an icon appears in the taskbar with a message that updates for the computer are ready to be installed. To view and install the available updates, click the icon or its message. Then, select the specific updates to be installed on the computer.

    Automatically download the updates, and install them on the schedule that I specify
    The download for updates can be scheduled only to be performed at a specific time interval. Similarily, when the download is completed, an icon appears in the taskbar to notify that the updates for the computer are ready to be installed.