What is Windows Update?

Windows Update is a built in feature of all Windows Operating Systems (since Windows 98), it is a service provided by Microsoft to provide updates such as patches and updated Drivers for the Operating System you are using.

Why do I need Windows Update?

Windows Update is a feature made necessary by the ever-changing and evolving nature of technology and computers. As new viruses, threats and technology changes arises, the Operating System must be able to keep up-to-date or risk becoming obsolete or vulnerable to threats. Windows Update is a feature that allows Microsoft to ‘patch’ your Operating System to keep it as up-to-date as possible.

Windows Update can update some Drivers but by no means in all cases. This is where you will need to either contact the specific device manufacturer or you can use a Driver Update Tool to automate these Windows Driver updates.

How do I access the Windows Update feature?

This will depend on what Operating System you are using. If you are using either Windows 8, Windows 7 or Windows Vista then Windows Update is accessed via the Control Panel. In Windows XP and previous versions, Windows Updates is only accessible via the Windows Update website.

 How do I use the Windows Update feature?

To access the Windows Update feature you will need to go to the control Panel (this is accessible either via the Start menu, or by swiping in from the right edge of the screen in touchscreen versions of Windows 8. As mentioned above, if you are using an older version of Windows, you will access Windows Updates by going to the Windows Update website using the link in the paragraph above.

Within the Windows Update feature you will be presented with a list of available updates. These updates are specific to your machine. You can select the updates that you would like to install (you may want to leave some to a later time or not install at all for whatever reason), once selected the system will guide you through the installation of these updates. If Windows Updates are available then, unless there is a particular reason not to, you should install these updates as they are there to protect and enhance your Operating System.

Operating Systems from Windows ME onward, you can choose to automatically install the most important updates (such as security patches).

Windows Update is a very useful feature but only if you install the updates so make sure that important updates are automatically installed and other updates are installed as soon as they become available.