This page contains information on how to keep your computer's operating system and programs up-to-date.
Keeping your computer up-to-date will protect your computer from hackers and viruses.
| Windows Directions | Mac OS X Directions |
Regularly updating your computer system software will keep you safer from viruses, worms, bugs, and other bad things. (Don't forget to update your virus software too.)
One of the most important things you can do to protect your computer and the data on it is to keep your system software up to date. Microsoft Corporation has made it relatively easy for you to do this, especially for newer versions of Windows.
One easy way you can update your software is to use the Internet Explorer browser and go to the Windows Update web site at: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
Follow the directions given and they will lead you through the steps required to get the latest updates. You should do this often (at least once a week).
You also need to check separately for updates for application software. Click on " Office Update " on the Windows Update pages to check for updates to Microsoft Office and related products.
Don't install updates you receive via e-mail. You cannot trust the source of any e-mail, and Microsoft Corporation will never send you updates via e-mail.
More detailed directions for different versions of Windows follow below:
Windows XP has a tool for automatically notifying you that there are new software updates available. You will see an icon for Windows Update in the "tray" of icons at the lower right right corner of your desktop. If it is blinking then there are new updates available for your computer. Click your mouse on the icon to start the update process, and follow the directions.
You may need to turn on the automatic update tool, and you should in any case configure it to check for updates often.
To do so
Go to the Control Panel
Select " System "
Under the tab labeled " Automatic Updates " you should be sure that the box is checked next to "keep my computer up to date". Then select the update policy you feel the most comfortable with.
There is no automatic notification system available on Windows 2000 as there is on XP, so you need to remember to check for updates often.
(You may get an automatic notification if you are logged in on an account with Administrator privileges, but you should only do that when you are installing or updating software, not when you are doing normal, every day work.)
Only the Administrator account can install updates, but you can easily run the Windows Update tool as the Administrator without logging off your normal account.
To do so
Go to the Start menu
Right click on the "Windows Update" item, and select "Run As..."
Run the Update tool as the 'Administrator' (you will need the Administrator password).
(If you do not see the " Run As... " option in the menu when you right-click then go down to the " Properties " item. Under the " Shortcut " tab you should check the box labeled " Run as different user ". Then right-click again on the " Windows Update " item in the Start menu.
There is no automatic software update tool. You need to log in as the "Administrator", launch the Internet Explorer browser, and go to the web site: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
Follow the directions to select and install the relevant updates.
If you are running Windows NT you should seriously consider upgrading to Windows XP.
You also need to check separately for updates for application software. Click on " Office Update on the Windows Update pages to check for updates to Microsoft Office and related products.
You can still get updates for Windows ME and Windows 98 (and they are basically the same thing).
There is no automatic software update tool. You need to launch the Internet Explorer browser and go to the web site:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/Follow the directions to select and install the relevant updates.
If you are running Windows ME, 98, or 95, you should seriously consider upgrading to Windows XP.
Windows 95 is no longer supported by Microsoft Corporation.
You should seriously consider upgrading to Windows XP.
Step 1. Click on the blue apple located at the top left corner of the screen, select 'System Preferences'
Step 2. Select 'Software Update' from the from the system preferences window.
Step 3. Click the 'Check Now' Button.
Step 4. If there are updates available a new window will pop up. The window will have a list of available updates, the most important/critical updates will already be selected. Click 'Install Items'. You will now be prompted for an 'Administrator' password: use 'Admin' for the username, and your normal password.
If you do not know your admin password please contact the Help Desk at x7224.
Thanks to the Physics & Astronomy Department for this document.
This page was last updated on 5/15/08.