Updating your Microsoft Windows operating system

Software Update Services (SUS): for WINDOWS 2000/XP Campus Desktop Computers

ITS's Windows Software Update Services (SUS) provide an automated mechanism designed to help keep your Windows operating systems up-to-date. SUS enables desktop computers running Windows 2000 or higher to automatically receive updates. Be sure your computer is in the Active Directory, so that SUS can deploy patches and updates to your computer.

• When updates/patches have been downloaded to your computer, but have not yet been installed, you may see a flashing Windows Update icon appear in your Taskbar. You can choose to install them immediately, though if no action is taken, the update will take place automatically at 5 a.m.
• For SUS to function optimally we recommend that you save your work at the end of the day, close your applications and log off your computer. Do NOT shut down your computer.

Windows Automatic Update for computers unable to use SUS

If you have a home computer, or a campus computer that is not in the Active Directory and thus unable to get updates via the ITS SUS server, ITS recommends that you run Automatic Update. Automatic Update is a program built into the operating system and that will scan your computer and download updates for you automatically. You must be connected to the Internet for Automatic Update to function.

How to configure and use Automatic Updates

• Windows XP, Microsoft Help & Support

Note: With all the above operating systems we recommend that desktop/laptop computers use the settings:

1. Automatically download the updates, and install them on the schedule that I specify.
2. In the area to choose a day and time, we recommend every day.
3. Click OK.

Your computer will now automatically download the updates when needed. If the computer has not been updated in a long time, Automatic Update may take a while to complete the first time it runs. We recommend that you install any Critical Updates and Service Packs.