How-to Do a manual Windows Update

We have now answered the questions:

What is windows update?

How do you set automatic windows updates for Vista, Windows 7, or automatic windows updates for XP

If you noticed in our What is Windows update lesson I showed you a pictured of the task bar that at times gives you a notification to check your windows updates.


In today’s How-To Guide for the Computer Beginner we will cover

How-to Manually check a windows update

If you have set your computer up for the automatic updates as we did in the past lesson your computer could be:

1. Telling you that you have some optional updates to look at.
2. The updates became available recently, and your scheduled update has not occurred since the availably.

I would say those are most common.

We would want to double click on the icon in our task bar that appeared in your notification area – as pictured above.

In this example, I have both important updates and optional updates.

How-To allow Windows Updates to run automatically in Windows XP

In Windows XP you can configure your windows update to be done automatically.  In a past lesson we explained What is a Windows Update?

Today’s How-To Guide For the Computer Beginner we will learn:
How-To allow Windows XP Updates to run automatically.

Windows Updates For Windows XP

In Windows XP we want to click on our start button, and in the search box type in ‘windows update’. 


We are going to make sure your computer settings are set to do the windows updates automatically.

Look to the left hand side of this new window, and we want to click on ‘settings’.
Once you open t

How-To allow Windows Updates to run automatically in Vista or Windows 7

In Windows Vista or Windows Seven (7) you can configure your windows update to be done automatically.  In a past lesson we explained What is a Windows Update?

Today’s How-To Guide For the Computer Beginner we will learn:
How-To allow Windows Updates to run automatically.

Updates For Windows

In Windows Vista or Windows 7 we want to click on our start button, and in the search box type in ‘windows update’.  You will see at the top of the start menu the option for Windows update as seen below, and we want to click on windows update to open a new screen

Once the new window appears it will note the windows updates that are available for your computer.  We are going to make sure your computer settings are set to do the windows updates automatically.

Look to the left hand side of this new window, and we want to click on ‘change settings’.

What is a Windows Update?

With every version of Windows that I can remember you were always given messages about ‘windows updates’.  I was asked some rather conflicting questions about windows updates, and so as you might have guessed today’s

How To Guide for the computer beginner is

What is Windows Update?

Microsoft provides windows updates, and you normally see these on your right side of the task bar in the notification area.

If you hoover over the icon that the mouse pictures are showing it will give you a message that there is a windows update available.

There are different types of updates.  Updates are classified as Important, Recommended, Optional, and Featured.

Important Updates (or Critical updates) are updates that they ask you do download right away.  They are normally have security issues involved with them.  They are to help keep your privacy, security, and vulnerability to crooks a minimum.    It could be that Microsoft found a hole they want to patch up, or found that hackers found a way to penetrate the windows system. 

Recommended Updates are updates to various components of the operating system that should be installed for proper functionality.

Optional Updates, are new features, updates, or Ultimate Extras that are not necessary to install for proper functionality of the operating system or applications.  In the last windows update that I did for example, they mentioned my printer software had an update to download.

Featured you don’t really see anymore, but if you ever do they will give you a description of the update.  You will be able to decided if it is something that your computer will find beneficial.   In other words, its little extras if you want them.

What is a Computer Application? Application Software?

In the past I did an article about the differences between Hardware and Software.    Then I wrote about what is a computer process. 

 

I have noticed that I come across questions that get a bit more technical in nature.  I decided I would try to explain in laymen terms today one of the more technical terms you may have heard about.

 

Today’s How-To Guide for the Computer Beginner is:  What is a computer application?  What is application software?

 

I think the best way to explain it is to introduced first what we call:

How do I find out what version of windows I have?

From time to time you will need to know what version of windows operating system you are presently running.

 

With the newer operating systems you also need to know if you are a 32 bit or a 64 bit operating system.

 

Today’s How-To Guide for the Computer Beginner is about versions of windows.  In particular what version of windows do I have?

 

I have to admit I get more questions like these that we will answer as well

 

64 bit vs 32 bit
32 bit or 64 bit
is my system 32 or 64 bit

 

We will start with the older versions of Windows, and then move into Vista and Windows 7.

 

What Version of Windows do I have?

This is a very easy process I promise!!

Find 'My Computer' on your desktop

 

 

 

Right Click on “My Computer”.  You will be given some options, and we are looking for ‘properties’

 

 

Click on Properties

 

 

If you look at this XP Windows menu, we will look under the GENERAL tab at the top. 

 

Versions of Windows older than XP follow these same directions.

This version of windows is noted

 

Windows Version:

Microsoft Windows XP

Home Edition

Version 2002

Service Pack 2

 

If you are having a hard time finding the MY COMPUTER icon we can go at this a different way.

 

First we must click on your start button

 

and find the MY COMPUTER (right side of this screen shot)

Again you must Right click on MY COMPUTER, and look for Properties, and click on that.

The system properties window up pop up, and it will tell you what version of windows you are running!

 

 

 

 

Version of windows, 32 bit or 64 bit

 

In Vista or Windows 7 you can push your start button, and start to type ‘system information’ in the box pictured.

 

You will see the system information tab come up! Click it, and there you have it!

I will admit the system information tab at times is a little to technical for some people, and YES there is an easier way to find your version of windows.

 

If you someone needs the technical information?  The above is the way to show them about your operating system.

 

Most of the time you will just need your version of windows, but also remember these questions?

 

64 bit vs 32 bit
32 bit or 64 bit
is my system 32 or 64 bit

 

There will be times in which you will need to update your java, or another program.  They will ask you what version of windows, and how many bits you are currently using in your version of the windows operating system.  That is why it is important to know how many bits your system has.

 

Don’t worry this is EASY as well!  I prefer doing it this way, because you get your version of windows, and your 32 bit or 64 bit information at the same time.

 

Lets go to the start button once again, and move over to control panel.

 

 

Once you are in control panel you will look for System and Security.  Its in green, and you want to click on the green ‘system and security’ words.

 

 

A new screen will appear, and you again wish to click on the green word ‘system’.

 

 

The last screen will pop up, and you will get a summary of your windows system.

 

 

This is the middle section of the screen that will pop up.  The top section tells you what operating system you have, and this middle section will tell you if you are 32 bit computer or 64 bit operating system.

 

Look closely to the ‘system type’, and you will see this operating system is 64 bit.

 

 

Or if you are in the classic view of the control panel click the system icon to find your version of windows.

 

 

Once you click on the system icon your basic information about your computer will pop up.

 

 

 

If you look above?  Windows Vista Home Premium, Service Pack 2 is our windows version.  That is under the ‘windows edition’ top section

 

If you look at the ‘system type’ this picture shows 32-bit operating system.  That is in the second section called, ‘system’.

 

I will tell you it won’t be that often that you will need to have some of this information, but it is helpful to have handy. 

 

I think most people can remember what operating system they currently have, but they do have trouble remembering how many bits.

 

Well!  Now you can show them!  Won’t you LOOK smart!

 

I hope today’s How-To Guide for the Computer Beginner was helpful to you.  If you are still having trouble figuring out what version of windows you have, or if your system is 32 bit or 64 bit just leave a comment to tell me where I lost you.

 

As Always, don’t forget to leave your email in the subscribe section I have provided.  You will be sent future lessons directly to your email!

 

 

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