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Updating Your Computer
We are often asked whether the Automatic Update from Microsoft is a good thing to use - or is it something sinister made by the manufacturer of Windows for ulterior motives? Perhaps it is an elaborate form of Spyware planted by Microsoft? Neither is true, although a certain amount of two-way information is needed for your computer to remain up to date with the latest 'patches' and security features from Microsoft and other manufacturers.
Windows Update is a very clever device when you actually sit down and think about it. Let's consider you computer is actually your car instead. What would happen if every time you pulled in for petrol, the pump updated your car's systems with the latest information on how to run properly, gave you the latest information about your car's performance, and in many cases actually enhanced the car's performance? Chances are you would be only too glad to receive this information, especially as it was free.
Okay, so very occasionally the information provided is not that useful, but ninety nine times out of a hundred, the computer (i.e. you) benefits from the update. Where else would you get this sort of service? Certainly not from your garage forecourt, that's for sure! So why the murmurings when a new Service Pack is distributed to licensed users of Windows? I am never quite sure why, but there always seems to be a certain amount of 'resistance' when a new update is released, perhaps the inherent mistrust of Microsoft is something to do with it. Anyway, uploading and installing the latest update from the software giant is invariably a good thing to do and we always encourage it.
Other updates from manufacturers such as Sony (for the Vaio range), Hewlett-Packard (for the HP and Compaq range), Java and a lot more, are also freely available. In a nutshell, all these updates are designed to help you maintain your computer in peak condition - so use them!
How do I update my computer?
Generally speaking, most computers are set up to receive important updates from Microsoft automatically. To see if your computer is set up to do this, (in this example, we are using Windows XP), do the following:
Visit the Microsoft update website at - http://update.microsoft.com (click here), where your computer will be scanned for the latest updates. A list of 'High Priority' and 'Important' updates will be displayed, and you can select to install them automatically, or not, as the case may be.
Please note that in order to receive some of these updates (for example Windows Media Player v.11 and Windows Defender), you must have a Genuine copy of Windows installed on your computer, as one of the first installations will be 'Windows Genuine Advantage', a piece of software which detects if you have a genuine copy of Windows installed on your computer. It does make mistakes by the way, so even if you do have a genuine copy installed, there is a very remote possibility that Microsoft may thinks it isn't. Don't panic if something silly happens, just give us a call and we can fix it.