Need Help with Installing Windows Updates?
Dial our 800 number, or contact us online for help with downloading or installing Windows Updates. If Windows Updates has inexplicably stopped working, or an update keeps failing, your computer could be infected with a virus or at risk of being infected. Keeping your computer current with Windows Update security patches is one of the most important lines of defense for keeping your computer safe and secure.
Get Help with Windows Updates and More
Support.com assist you with updating your Windows operating system. Simply contact us now and we’ll start solving your computer problem right away.
In addition to the updating Windows, one of our Personal Technology Experts® can also help you with:
- Windows 7 startup problems
- Problems like "cannot run Windows help and support"
- Windows registry cleaner
- Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Professional problems
- A Windows Vista boot disk
- System Restore in Windows XP
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Windows XP safe mode
- Installing Service Pack 3 for Windows XP
- Windows startup
- Windows XP troubleshooting
- Formatting a Windows drive
- Windows error codes
- Windows 7 partitioning
- Vista Service Pack 2
- Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1
- Problems like connecting to remote Web workplace security because of Active X Assigning drive letters in Windows
- Changing settings for Active X
Microsoft Windows Updates
Microsoft windows updates are an important part of any Windows user’s life. It seems like there is always some update or another just begging to be installed. Some people get frustrated at how often Windows updates come up that they may ignore them for long periods of time or flat out disable them. This is never a good idea though.
Did you know that many computer issues can be prevented from occurring simply by installing Microsoft Windows Updates? Security updates (also known as critical updates) are routinely released to help eliminate vulnerabilities that malicious software exploit while other updates correct small bugs in the operating system or enhance its overall functionality. Sometimes you may even see driver updates come up as an optional update, but optional Windows updates do not usually have to be installed with the same urgency as the critical security ones. Occasionally they update so many things at once that they release a large update known as a service pack.
Microsoft Windows updates can be also used for more than just updating the operating system. If you have other Microsoft products such as Microsoft Office, you can choose to integrate that product’s updates in with the updates for the operating system. All in all this is a very handy tool.
Below are the ways you can check the automatic update settings on your computer as well as the ways to access them manually if for some reason they aren’t being automatically downloaded.
Windows XP:
To see if automatic Microsoft Windows Updates are setup, you are going to want to go to the control panel. Regardless of what view the control panel is in, you can get to the automatic update settings by clicking on Security Center and then by choosing Automatic Updates from there. The option you choose is up to you, but it is highly recommended that you go with Automatic so you do not have to worry about forgetting to get updates. You can also pick the time that you want your computer to check for updates on this screen. If your computer is not on at the chosen time, don’t worry because it will check as soon as it is next powered on.
Windows XP Updates can be accessed in a couple of different ways. You can open up Internet Explorer and choose Tools from the menu bar. From there you pick Windows Update and it takes you to the proper website. If you don’t see the menu bar for some reason, you can also go to the website yourself by typing http://www.update.microsoft.com into the toolbar. Once there, you will usually be asked if you want to run an ActiveX control. Answer yes, and you are good to go. You’ll notice that you have the option to choose from Express or Custom on the site.
If you are a novice user, it is recommended that you simply choose Express. It will scan your computer to find out which updates it needs, give you a list of recommended updates, and all you have to do is click the button that says Install Updates. A small window will pop up that shows you the progress of both downloading in installing your updates.
If you are feeling a little more confident you can choose the Custom option. Like choosing Express, it will start a scan to check what updates you need and then give you a list of recommended updates. The difference here is that there are checkmarks next to each update as well as other software categories on the left. You can pick and choose which updates you want to install here. It is a good idea to make sure that all high-priority updates are selected.
Windows Vista and Windows 7:
To access the automatic update options for these two operating systems, you will once again go to the control panel. From here you will either be looking for System and Maintenance (Vista) or System and Security (Windows 7). Under the heading of Windows Update, you will want to click on the link that says “Turn automatic updating on or off.” On this page you can choose how Windows installs updates. As always, we highly recommend choosing to have updates installed automatically. There are a few extra options here that were not there in Windows XP. The most important one on Windows 7 is to have it get updates for other Microsoft products and optional software.
Windows Vista updates and Windows 7 updates are both found in a slightly different place than Windows XP. You no longer have to rely on Internet Explorer to be working in order to get them. As a matter of fact, you find them by going to the same place you turn on and off automatic updates. The only difference is that to check for updates you simply click on the link that says “Check Updates” and away you go. On this screen you can click on the link that says how many important updates available and install them. For the more adventurous or advanced people, there is also a link that shows optional updates that may be installed if you like.
If you are experiencing trouble downloading your updates, many issues for Windows XP and Windwos Vista users may be fixed by going to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058/en-us and clicking on the Fix It button. In windows 7, all the power of Fix It has been built directly into the operating system and can be found right in the control panel. In the control panel, click on the link reading “Find and fix problems” found under System and Security. On the next page, once again under System and Security, you will find a link that says "Fix problems with Windows Update" and it will do the work for you. If the automated Fix It tool does not work for any reason, Support.com has friendly and knowledgeable Personal Technology Specialists standing by to do the hard work for you.
We're here 24/7 as your remote Windows Updates help. Just call one of our Personal Technology Experts and we’ll handle everything. The entire process is easy.After you call, one of our Tech Experts will start remotely scanning your computer right away. By using only your Internet connection, we can fix just about any problem you may have—big or small. We're here to help you get the most from your technology.Also, by calling Support.com, there’s no need to go out to a local support center or invite strangers to your home. You're free to just sit back and relax after we start.
All of our Personal Technology Experts are full-time employees living right here in North America. Before they can help you, they must first earn their title by passing a series of incredibly rigorous tests. By doing this, Support.com assures you that you’re getting the best customer support possible.
From driver problems to stubborn viruses to a slow computer, if you have a problem with your laptop, desktop or peripheral device, don't wait another minute—Support.com can help you right now.
Call Support.com and get the Updating technical support you need.
