• 81.93% of computers use Windows XP
• 7.78% use Windows 2000
• 3.15% use Windows 98
• 1.37% use Windows ME

Automatic updates are now available only for Windows XP and Windows 2000.  If you have earlier versions of Windows, it may be time to upgrade to a newer OS. 

You can choose to activate the Windows Update feature to scan and download updates automatically.  Or you may choose to disable automatic updating and visit the Windows Update page on your own to scan for updates.

If you tend to not remember to check for updates and you have a fast internet connection, it may be best for you to activate Automatic Updates.  If you have dial-up or you would prefer to not have your work interrupted, you may want to disable Automatic Updates.  It is not really a bother to have your computer check for Automatic Updates automatically and will not slow you down in the least.  But you do get pop-up reminders when updates are available for downloading or installing.

OK – so now that you know the options, here is how you enable or disable Automatic Updates. 

There are a couple of ways to get to the Automatic Updates window. 

• Click on Start, then click on Control Panels, then click on Automatic Updates. 
• OR, Click on Start, then click on Control Panels, then click on System, then click on the Automatic Updates tab. 
• OR, right-click on My Computer on the desktop, then click on Properties, then click on the Automatic Updates tab.

 You will see four options for checking for “important updates.” 

1. You can automatically download and install them – and you can choose a time for your computer to do this.
2. You can download updates and then you choose when to install them.  You will get pop-reminders telling you there are updates waiting to be installed.
3. You can be notified when  updates are available for download and installing
4. You can turn off Automatic Updates.  If you use this options, you should visit the Windows Update web site regularly to check for updates.  You do this opening Internet Explorer and click on the Tools menu and then clicking on Windows Update.

 It should be noted that even if you have Automatic Updates enabled, Windows XP will only install critical updates.  You should still visit the Windows Update occasionally to see what other updates are available.

If you had Automatic Updates enabled on your XP Operating System computer, you would have downloaded the April Updates and installed the Active X update.  (See last weeks Tech Tip),   And then you would have needed to download and install the Active X fix available from Microsoft.  Sometimes I wonder what Microsoft was thinking…..   OK – enough complaining!

One last thing – which isn’t really related to Automatic Updates.  If you are thinking of buying a new computer, you may want to wait until January when Microsoft is scheduled to release its new operating system called Windows Vista.  Or at least wait until next week when we take up that topic.