About Windows Update
Windows Update is an online extension of Windows. Currently, Windows Update consists of two areas: the Product Updates catalog and the Support Information area. Use the navigation bar on the left side of your screen to browse these areas.
Contents
About Product Updates
About Support Information
The Product Updates area is a catalog of fixes, updates, and enhancements to Windows and many programs that work with Windows. The catalog allows you to "shop" for components that will make your computer work better.
Browse through the catalog, select as many components as you would like, and download and install them straight from the Web to your computer. (If you've never downloaded something from the Web before, you'll want to read the "What do I need to do?" section below.) If you would like, the catalog can determine which updates and enhancements will work specifically with your computer, based on the software you already have installed.
When you first come to the Product Updates page, Windows Update scans your system to see what you have installed and gives you a list of suggested components. This scan is done on your computer to ensure the safety and privacy of your system information. None of this information is sent to Microsoft or over the Internet. This system check assures that you will get the most up-to-date and accurate versions of anything you choose to download from the site. Additionally, you won't waste time downloading components you have already installed.
When the list of components appears on the page, you can browse it, decide which components you want, and download them right to your computer.
Be sure to download any Critical Updates recommended for your system. Critical Updates will fix known problems (such as security issues) specific to your computer.
Product Updates makes it easy to download updates and enhancements to the software on your computer.
- First, browse the catalog.
- When you decide you want a certain component, click the box next to it. A check mark appears in the box. Before you choose to download a component, click the "Read this first" link for important information, including:
- A more detailed description of the component
- How to begin using the component
- Instructions for uninstalling
- Support policy
- If you decide you don't want a product you've already selected, just click the box again to remove the check mark.
- When you have selected all the components you want, click the Download button.
- A page appears. Make sure that all the components you want are in the list. To make a change, click the Back button.
- Click the Start Download button. All the components you selected will be downloaded, then installed. Some components may ask you for additional information during installation.
When you see the Installation Complete message, you're done! Some components may require you to shut down and restart your computer after installation of all components is complete.
Most components can be uninstalled right from Product Updates page. To uninstall:
- Go to the Product Updates page. When the dialog box appears, click Yes.
- When the Product Updates page appears, click the Show Installed Updates button at the top of the page.
- Click the Uninstall button to the right of the component you want to uninstall.