Security patching and configuration of automatic update of Windows XP atlegran This article explains how to configure the automatic update function in Windows XP Security updates of the Windows operating system has become more and more important as the amount of computer viruses and worms is increasing. This, combined with as series of quite severe security holes in the various versions of the operating system, and the increased amount of computers that are connected to the internet 24 hours a day via a broadband connection, makes it important to update with the latest security patches. By security patching, one means the patching of various security related bugs and errors in the software. Automatic and manual patching You have two basic ways of updating your Windows operating system; automatic and manual. Automatic updates You can activate the automatic update service by clicking Start->Control Panel->System (You can also right-click the "My Computer" icon and choose "Properties" in the menu). Choose the Automatic Updates-tab. To activate the automatic update functions, tick the check box at the top of the window. Below the check box, there are three radio buttons that are activated when the check box is marked. These buttons control the behaviour of the automatic update functionality. Which option to choose depends on your internet connection speed and on how much time you are willing to use on the updates. Alternative 1. Notify me before downloading any updates and notify me again before installing them on my computer. If you use this option, you will be notified when new updates are available, and asked if you want to download them or not. This is a good choice if you have a slow internet connection and want to be able to control when the download starts. Mostly the patches are small, but it can still take quite a while if you connect through modem. Alternative 2. Download the updates automatically and notify me when they are ready to be installed. Choosing this option makes the computer download the updates without notification. However, you will still be asked if it is ok to install the updates. This a good option if you have a stable and fast internet connection, but would like to review the updates prior to installation. Alternative 3. Automatically download the updates, and install them on the schedule that I specify. This makes the update process fully automatic, although the computer has to be turned on at the specified date and time. Manual update To do manual updates, you could use Internet Explorer (tools->windows update), or you could use the shortcut to Windows update in the start menu. Here you can see which updates that are available to you. This method is only recommended for advanced users who know what new patches are available to all times. Automatic update works, and should be used!