What is it?
While you may not care if all the programs on your computer are upgraded to their current versions, you will want to make sure Windows and a few other major programs (such as PDF) are updated to their current versions to avoid any potential security exploits. Luckily, there is a way to have these programs updated automatically so you don’t have to worry about doing it yourself. These automatic updates allow all the important updates to be installed without the user having to visit the Windows Update website or using any other upgrade client.
How to
To download optional updates, go to the Windows Update Website. To enable automatic updates, however, click the “Start” button and open the control panel. Go to the “Security Center”, and then click on the “Automatic Updates” tab. Select the “Automatic” button. This button will allow the recommended updates to be installed. You can select the dates and times you want the updates to occur (daily, weekly, etc…). On Windows 7 or Windows Vista, open the “Windows Update” program from the start menu. Click the “Change settings” option on the left-hand side of the page, and go to the “Important updates” link. Under this link, you can choose to have the updates installed automatically, and how you wish for them to be installed. Every major browser has an automatic updating function of some sort, although some (like Firefox and Google Chrome), are handled internally. For Adobe programs, you can enable the automatic update option by selecting the “Edit” option, then “Preferences”, then “Updater”, and then checking the “Automatically update and install” option.
Why do it?
While it may seem tedious and time-consuming to update all your programs to make sure you are using the latest versions, it is extremely beneficial to do so. For starters, most upgrades contain improved security features, which can help protect you from hackers getting into your computer and stealing your personal information. Enabling automatic updates ensures your programs, especially the important ones, are constantly being upgraded. You can feel relaxed knowing that your programs will be upgraded daily or weekly and you won’t have to search for upgrades online yourself. This way, your computer will be updated to its best operating conditions and you won’t have to do anything to ensure it remains that way.
Risks
While they do help improve your security, windows automatic updates don’t protect you from everything. You still need to have spyware protection, virus protection, and firewalls to make sure your computer is safe, especially in situations where you may be connected to the same network as other users. Some updates may cause problems on your computer, so make sure you use System Restore in case an issue does arise. Some windows updates may require you to restart your computer, which can be inconvenient depending on what you are doing at the time. This can be especially frustrating if you have updates happening daily, so try to set up automatic updates for times that you won’t be using your computer (such as the middle of the night).
