Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional has a
Shortcut toward the top of the Start Menu that allows you to
launch Windows Update quickly.
Microsoft Windows Update System Scan and Recommendations
In much the same way the Microsoft Office
Product Updates Web page inventories your PC so it can offer you the
most relevant suggested downloads, Windows Update does a quick scan
of your installed operating system, critical updates, hot fixes and
service packs so it can recommend useful downloads.
Windows Update displays available product
updates for the Microsoft Windows operating system and Microsoft
Internet Explorer Web browser. While it is checking for available
product updates, you’ll get notification that your PC is being
inventoried, as seen in Figure 5-4.
Windows Update does a quick scan of
installed software on your PC so it can recommend relevant
product updates.
Once Windows Update is done scanning your PC,
you either can select new downloads, get a list of currently
installed updates (Show Installed Updates), see a rundown of
what’s been installed and when (Installation History), or set
personal preferences for using Windows Update (Personalize). These
choices are shown in Figure 5-5.
Software Available on Windows Update
Recommended downloads are grouped into five
categories.
Critical Updates – You either can
download and install Critical Updates conveniently as a
consolidated, single installation package, or click on the +
(plus sign) next to Show Individual Updates to obtain more
flexibility.
Picks of the Month
Recommended Updates – As are
Critical Updates, these are based on the software inventory
Windows Update acquired during the scan a few moments ago.
Additional Windows Features
Device Drivers
Windows Update effectively takes the place
of a computer consultant by reviewing your installed update
history and offering recommended options.
Microsoft Windows Update Critical Update Notification
Microsoft has a feature in Windows Update
called Windows Critical Update Notification, which constantly
monitors the Windows Update Web site for the availability of new
crucial updates.
When one is available, you are notified and
prompted to install the critical update.
However, this feature has a dark
side.
By being among the first to install new
critical updates, you’re taking on huge early adopter
risks that put your PC configuration out there on the bleeding
edge.
I generally prefer to wait a minimum of
three to five days for the dust to settle before installing
any newly released software patch.
Microsoft Windows Update Action Items
Who installs updates to Microsoft Windows
and Microsoft Internet Explorer: users, an internal guru or a
computer consultant?
How often are free maintenance updates to
Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Internet Explorer installed?
How do you find out about these free
updates?
How do you locate, download and install
updates to Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Internet Explorer?
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