XP: Change Windows Automatic Update Settings

Contributed by davak May 9, 2004  
Tagged: Windows

As the worms are coming out faster and faster after security exploits are found, the automatic update is being reconsidered by a lot of users. This explains how to change your automatic update settings.

Previously a lot of users turned off windows Automatic Updates. Users typically like to be in control of what and when their computer downloads and installs programs–even from microsoft.

I mean, who wants a lot of sudden online lag because windows is trying to install the lastest and greatest security patch?

Now that people are writing worms to exploit new windows security holes quicker and quicker, many people are considering using automatic updates again. Here is a refresher on how to adjust your settings:

1. Open your Control Panel
2. Select the Automatic Updates tab
3. Click the checkbox: Keep my computer up to date…
4. Select the settings option that you desire.
5. Click OK

Power users and modem users will probably want to select the notify me option for bandwidth reasons. If you are setting up your parents’ computer, you probably want to have the updates automatically download and installed while they sleep.