Microsoft provides frequent updates to Windows XP and Windows 2000 as bugs are found and fixed. Microsoft Windows Update is an online mechanism by which you can make certain you are protecting your system from many common viruses and worms. We strongly suggest that you configure Windows Update to update your system automatically by following the steps below.

1. Make certain all other programs are closed on your computer, so that only the Windows Desktop is showing.
2. From your Desktop, right-click on My Computer and select Properties from the popup context menu that appears on the screen (Figure 1)



3. The System Properties window should now be open. (Figure 2 below shows this window prior to installing Windows Service Pack 1. Figure 3 shows it with Service Pack 2 installed.) Click once on the Automatic Updates tab. Check the box next to, "Keep my computer up to date." This will enable automatic updates. You must also select one of the three update methods listed so that your computer can download updates. We recommend that you use the option, "Download the updates automatically and notify me when they are ready to be installed."

Click OK. Your computer should now be set up to use the Windows Update feature. If you are prompted to restart your computer, please do so.