Automatic Update
for Windows XP
Includes SP2 Update Section
Last Updated:
04/21/2008
Human nature being
what it is, the majority of people tend to be reactive rather than
proactive when it comes to security issues and protecting our
computer investment. We may get on a kick for a few days or weeks
and pay close attention to the updates that are issued then slack
off until the issue is forgotten totally. If you nodded your head as
you were reading that last sentence, you are probably a good
candidate for Windows XP Automatic Updates.
Whenever the word
Automatic comes along people tend to balk because it smacks
of taking away control. That’s another one of those human nature
issues. Even if you find the concept objectionable, Automatic
Updates can be to your advantage while allowing you to retain the
control of what gets updated. As the installed user base of XP
increases, reports of updates effectively crippling a machine that
was previously in excellent working condition are becoming common.
It's easy to blame Automatic Update for this situation, but the
truth is it's not the fault of Automatic Update. The question is,
how automatic is Automatic Update?
In spite of what the
name Automatic Update might indicate, when you run the Automatic
Updates Setup Wizard you'll find that none of the methods it offers
install the suggested updates without giving you the option to
review the updates prior to installation. This is where the user has
to make a decision whether or not the update is proper for the
system. Just because an update is available doesn't mean it's needed
or even necessary in all situations. Users have to take
responsibility for determining whether or not the update will impact
their system negatively. If the answer is questionable, don't update
until you are able to sort out the potential ramifications of
installing the update. If you do install the update, ensure that
there is a current backup of all critical data prior to installing.
Using the XP System Restore function is also a good idea. To update
without taking precautions is simply negligent on the part of the
user.
Setting up Automatic Update
Any of the methods
listed below will allow you to set up Automatic Updates to function
in Windows XP.
Method One
If you are using a
new installation of XP, eventually a balloon will appear by the
Notification Area asking if you want to enable Automatic Updates. To
do so, click on the Update icon which appears by the clock and the
Automatic Updates Setup Wizard will launch. Three screen captures
below illustrate the process.
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Fig. AU-01 |
Fig. AU-02 |
Fig. AU-03 |
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Figure AU-01 -
The Welcome Screen to the Wizard where you can read the End User
License Agreement (EULA) and Privacy Statement if you are so
inclined.
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Figure AU-02 -
The Notification Settings screen for selecting a notification
method. There are three choices.
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[Download
the Updates Automatically and Notify Me When They Are Ready
to be Installed] does not consult the user before the update
download is initiated. The one danger in this option is if
your machine is heavily taxed before the download begins it
has the potential to bog it down even more.
- [Notify Me Before Downloading
Any Updates and Notify Me Again Before Installing Them On My
Computer] is the most common and safest choice. Notification
will always be given before initiating any update tasks. If
you choose not to install a downloaded update a Reminder
Screen (Fig. AU-04) will open, allowing you to reschedule
another reminder.
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Fig. AU-04 |
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[Turn Off
Automatic Updating. I Want to Update My Computer Manually]
disables all Automatic Update functions.
Method 2 - Quicker
Click [Start]
[Control Panel] [Performance and Maintenance] [System]
The System Properties Property Sheet will open.
Click the [Automatic Updates] tab and make your selections as in
Method 1. Click [Apply] and [OK].
Method 3 - Still Quicker
Click [Start] Right
click [My Computer] Click [Properties]
The System Properties Property Sheet will open.
Click the [Automatic Updates] tab and make your selections as in
Method 1. Click [Apply] and [OK].
Method 4 - The Quickest of All
(If the My Computer Folder is on the Desktop)
Right click [My
Computer] folder then click [Properties]
The System Properties Property Sheet will open.
Click the [Automatic Updates] tab and make your selections as in
Method 1. Click [Apply] and [OK].
That’s all there is
to it. Use any of the last three methods above to alter your
original choices or disable Automatic Updates totally.
Service Pack 2
Update Section
Prior to SP2 no mention was made of Automatic Updates
until after the XP installation was completed. That's no longer the case. Once SP2 has
been installed, users will be presented the screen
shown below (Fig. 01) on the first reboot after the SP2
installation.
Fig. 01
Which option should you
choose? If you don't mind having updates automatically
downloaded and installed on your system without your
input, by all means select the first option. If you
prefer to take a more active role in controlling what is
placed on your system, select the second option.
Nevertheless, you do have to make a choice at this point
before the logon process will complete.
Automatic Updates is now
tied into the new Windows Security Center (WSC) that is
supposed to monitor essential security elements of the
system. If you chose the first option shown in Fig. 01,
WSC will report that Automatic Updates is ON. If you
chose the second option in Fig. 01, WSC will report that
Automatic Updates has not been configured as shown in
Fig. 02.
Fig. 02
If you've decided to
enable Automatic Updates, use the [Turn on Automatic
Updates] button located in the Automatic Updates section
of the Security Center. If you aren't sure if you'd like
to enable updates or would like to make a more informed
choice, go down to the [Manage Security Settings For:]
section at the bottom of WSC and click Automatic Updates
to open the Automatic Updates property sheet shown in
Fig. 03.
Fig. 03
There are four options
available for Automatic Updates. Obviously I can't tell
you which option is right for your situation. I will
tell you what I think about each option and why I would
or wouldn't use it on my systems.
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Automatic
(recommended) Option - There is no way I would
ever allow this option. Just because a security
update, service pack or critical update is issued,
it doesn't mean it's absolutely necessary for every
system. Giving any application or utility the right
to download and install something automatically on
your system is just asking for trouble.
-
Download Updates
for Me, But Let Me Choose When to Install Them
Option - This is a better choice than the first
option but still not ideal. On the plus side, the
user is at least consulted about when (or if) the
downloaded updates will be installed. The downside
is that bandwidth and hard drive space are wasted if
an update is downloaded that you don't need and will
never be installed.
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Notify Me But
Don't Automatically Download or Install Them Option
- To me, this is the ideal option. Let me know there
is an update available. From there I can go to
Windows Update or look it up on the Microsoft site
to get more information and determine if it's
necessary and appropriate for the system and how it
is used. Even if the update is appropriate, I may
want to delay downloading and installing it until I
see how it's impacting other user systems and this
option provides that opportunity without wasted
effort.
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Turn Off Automatic
Updates Option - There are certain situations
where you really don't want any updates at all. If
one or all of your systems fall into this category,
you'll know. The option is available if needed, but
it will likely be a very small percentage of users
that should select this option.
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