Updating Microsoft Windows
Why Update Windows
Microsoft is the world's largest software company, and often it ships products to meet deadlines rather than fully testing them. So all too often, Windows comes with a few bugs, or more than a few bugs, and hackers, web pages, spyware and viruses take advantage of them to change or delete files, gather your personal information or just crash your PC. Microsoft figures these bugs out after a few months, and releases a patch, an upgrade or a service pack to fix the problem.
Computers that are not updated are wide-open targets for hackers. It is critical that your computer be updated in order to safeguard against these possible attacks. Even dial-up home users are at risk, especially if your credit card number, address, social security number or even your name are on your computer. A skilled hacker can use bits and pieces of information to steal your identity, or some are just whiny nerds that like the power that comes with being able to crash someone else's computer.
Microsoft being the largest company has the problem here--when there is a bug in Windows, it affects practically everyone. This is why it is essential that you download the latest updates for Windows. If you're on dial-up, it might take a while, but stay connected overnight to do it.
Things to Know About Updating Windows
Depending on your version of Windows, this will determine what updates you will download. Microsoft is slowly phasing out support for Windows 95, so in the next few months or years, Windows 95 users may no longer be able to download updates. If this is the case, then update now or upgrade to Windows 98.
Windows 98 and Windows ME users will likely need to download several critical updates if they have never updated before, but none of them will be overly huge. Windows XP users, on the other hand, have dozens of critical updates, two massive service packs and several other "recommended" updates that will increase security and reliability on their systems.
Updating Windows requires an Internet connection, a considerable amount of time and a fair level of interaction, so set aside a large block of time when no one needs the computer and someone can check on it every so often to ensure it is still downloading, doesn't need to be restarted and has no dialog boxes pending.
How to Update Windows
There are two ways to update Windows, automatically and manually. Choose automatic updates if you have a broadband connection or leave your dial-up connection connected long periods of time. This is the easiest and fastest way to update Windows, requires little interaction and leaves little room for error. Windows 98 and up supports this feature. When set to automatic update, Windows will search for updates from the web site and then download them quietly in the background, then install them, only bugging you for a restart when complete. Options range from notification before download and install, notification before install and no notification at all. Automatic updating is usually under Control Panel. On Windows XP it is under Control Panel->System->Automatic Updates, or in Service Pack 2 it is under Control Panel->Windows Security Center->Automatic Updates. Windows 98 users can download a patch that will enable notification of automatic updates.
Manual updating is recommended for people who want control over how Windows updates itself and want to know what updates are installed. To manually update your computer, simply navigate to http://www.windowsupdate.com/ and follow the instructions. The site is largely automatic--it will detect your version of Windows, rummage through your hard drive looking for updates it needs and then return the results to you. Normally the most critical of updates will be automatically selected for you. Occasionally, you will come across an update that must be installed by itself, but this is no problem, and most other updates can be installed together. Select the updates you want and then click "Install Now." Windows Update will advise you on license agreements, and then you must accept it to download the updates.
Now comes the long part--waiting. Downloading will take some time depending on how fast your connection is, and then installation will take another portion of time, depending on your computer speed. Microsoft will give you estimates on how long these processes will take, but these are usually overestimates on broadband and underestimates on dial-up, so only use them as general guidelines. Once the installation is complete, you will probably have to restart your computer.
Once you have restarted your computer, you are not done. Return to the update site, as most computers require several updates, and repeat the process until zero new updates are detected. Optional updates are up to you, but I recommend installing most of them (except things like the Hebrew language pack, unless you're Hebrew). Only install driver updates if your version is older than the one Microsoft offers you.
Congratulations! Your computer is more secure now. Just remember to update Windows regularly, and for technology's sake use a virus scanner!