Computer and Web Articles

Do all of those technology articles and computer people keep nagging you to keep your computer updated? “Download operating system updates!” they cry. “Visit the Microsoft Updates website regularly” they demand.

Sure. Like you aren’t busy enough; do they actually think you’ll be able to schedule in some time for “computer updating” between your bike ride, making dinner, doing your laundry and running all those errands? Yeah right, you think to yourself.

Thus, the problem remains. Keeping your computer updated is incredibly important, but few people have the time to check for updates on a regular basis.

This is why, dear Windows XP users, today we’ll learn how to ensure your computer has “Automatic Updates” turned on.

Take just one minute to turn on your computer’s Auto Updates, and, as people are fond of saying these days in the world of crockpots, “set it and forget it.”

Are you ready? Are you with me? Then let’s go make sure those Auto Updates are set to ON.

Are you sitting comfortably in front of your computer now? Good. First thing we need to do is locate the little “My Computer” icon on your desktop.

Once you’ve found it, go ahead and right-click on it, then choose “Properties” from the drop-down menu.

A little window with seven or so tabs should have popped open. Click on the tab entitled “Automatic Updates” - this is exactly where we want to be.

Now that we’re here, make sure that the top option, “Automatic,” is selected, then set the time your computer should look for these updates below. (I have my computer check for updates everyday, but once a week should be fine - whatever you prefer.)

Click “OK” when you’re done. (Keep in mind that these updates have nothing to do with your virus protection - that’s a different beast all together.)

When you’re setting the time for your computer to automatically check for updates, remember that your computer must be turned on in order for everything to work!

So make sure you don’t set the Auto Updating to run every day at 3 a.m. if you turn your computer off every night.

The great thing about this process is that your updates are downloaded automatically in the background during the scheduled time - there are no annoying notifications or interruptions during the process.

If you have a dial-up and aren’t always connected to the internet, your computer will wait patiently until the next time you’re connected before it tries to automatically update.

Honestly. That’s all there is to it. Now sit back and have some cake.