How do I configure my computer to automatically install patches and updates?

You can configure your computer's Operating System to automatically install patches and updates when the vendor makes them available.

See information below for Windows XP and 2000 and Mac OS.

Windows XP

Go to the control panel by clicking the Start button.

In the Control Panel window, click on the System icon.

You should see a window with multiple tabs. Click on Automatic Updates tab.

Select to either have the updates downloaded and installed, just downloaded or just notified that updates are available.

Once you select the option you want, click Apply or OK.

Window 2000

Go to the control panel by clicking the Start button.

In the Control Panel window, click on the Automatic Updates icon.

Select to either have the updates downloaded and installed, just downloaded or just notified that updates are available.

Once you select the option you want, click Apply or OK.

Mac OS

The default setting in all versions of Mac OS is for updates to be installed automatically. For Mac OSX, see http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/ & http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/security/

Microsoft Update

Microsoft now offers "Microsoft Update" which provides many patches for Windows and other Microsoft programs at one convenient location. This new service from Microsoft includes all the updating and patching features of Windows Update and Office Update, plus downloads for other Microsoft products--even those still in Beta--as well as updates for software drivers. Go to the Windows Update page, click on the "News" item "Upgrade to Microsoft Update" in the lower right hand corner, and follow the instructions. Remember: Making the patching process automatic will help minimize the risk of your computer being infected or getting hacked.

Check your Microsoft patches & updates

Automated updating doesn’t always work perfectly. It’s a good idea to check on the patches and updates once a month to make sure they are up to date and complete.

You can use a Microsoft’s Baseline Security Analyzer, a free tool, to check your system. MBSA provides you with information about the security of your computer overall, as well as information about what needs changing, updating, patching and fixing, and recommendations for how to do it.

For More

For more information on patches and updates for your operating system and software applications, see http://www.its.monash.edu.au/security/home/patching.html & http://www.softwarepatch.com/

FAQs: Automatic OS Updates & Patches

Help Desk