Keeping your Windows-based PC up to date using Microsoft Update

While using Microsoft Update is essential to the safety of your computer, it is a somewhat complex process.  This document is designed to be a step-by-step guide to downloading and installing updates using Microsoft Update.  

1. Copy the following URL: update.microsoft.com

2. Open Microsoft Internet Explorer and paste the URL into the address bar and then hit enter on your keyboard. 

3. The Microsoft Update Site will begin to load.

4. If you see an announcement saying “Get Microsoft Update Now!”, click on it.  

5. Microsoft will begin installing the Microsoft Update software.  

6. You may receive a message asking “Did you see the status bar?”  If so, close the message and click on the status bar near the top of the browser window.  When the small menu appears, select “Install Active-X Control” and the installation will continue.

7. Once the Microsoft Update software is installed, you automatic update status will be displayed.  If Automatic updates are not turned on, turn them on by clicking “Turn on automatic updates.”

8. Once automatic updates are turned on, select a time for automatic update to take place.  I suggest sometime in the mid-day when your computer is likely to be on, such as 1pm.  

9. Click the “Continue” button to begin the update check procedure. 

10. Wait patiently while the tool scans your computer for necessary updates.  This may take several minutes.  

11. After a while, you will be presented with 2 options for installing the detected updates.  “Express” and “Custom”.  I recommend that you simply select “Express”.  

12. Next, the recommended updates will be displayed.  Click “Install” to begin installation of the updates.

13. When the updates have finished installing, you may be asked to restart your computer – do so.  

14. If you have not updated your computer for several weeks, repeat the update process above a second time to ensure there is not a second wave up updates waiting in queue.