Windows Update
Having Windows Update on automatically on is an essential step to having a secure pc.
Windows Update is provided by Microsoft and it downloads and installs updates for the Windows operating system as well as other Microsoft products including Internet explorer. The expanded service is called Microsoft Update and allows update of Microsoft Office and Microsoft Expression. Updates for security are delivered on the 2nd Tuesday of every month. It is called Patch Tuesday colloquially, but if there is a high priority security update which is required then it can be pushed down to users when it is required. The Windows Update can be setup in different methods, either having the updates occur automatically, or having it be a manual process. It is also possible to download updates via the Microsoft Update website using the Internet Explorer browser only.
Checking windows update is activated on Windows Xp
Goto Start -> Control Panel -> Automatic Update
From here you have the option of either automatically getting updates at a certain time, or downloading the updates but giving the user the option of when to install them, or notifying of the update but not automatically downloading them, or turning update off.
Checking windows update is activated on Windows Vista
Goto Start -> Control Panel -> Windows Update
From here you have similar options to the Xp version of windows. Instead the options are incorporated into a drop down menu.
Checking windows update is activated on Windows 7
Goto Start -> Control Panel -> Windows Update
From here you have similar options to the Xp version of windows. You also have the option of receiving recommended updates as well as critical updates. This will tend to keep your system more stable so is recommended. You can also allow other users to install updates. This is very helpful if most of the time the administration does not have access to the computer, as otherwise the operating system could get seriously behind the update schedule.