updating internet explorer
there are two (2) ways of updating your copy of internet explorer (and windows) with the latest updates and service packs. the first option is by using automatic updates and the second is by visiting the microsoft update site using internet explorer (ie). please note that it is recommended that you use a legal copy of windows xp professional with sp2. windows 98 and windows 98 se is no longer being supported by microsoft. i am also assuming that your computer is connected to the internet in one way or another.
automatic updates
in windows, open control panel and double-click on automatic updates. you will then see the following:
i have set updates to be automatically downloaded and installed everyday at 12:00 noon (lunchtime). the problem with this is if its your first time to do updates you’d have to wait until after lunch for the computer to finish its work. it may take longer depending on the number of updates your system needs.
windows update
you can also visit microsoft’s update site at http://update.microsoft.com/ using ie. the update site will check if your system has the latest update program and if it doesn’t, the site will ask you to download and install it. if you agree, your computer will automatically download and install the latest windows update program for you.
once you have the latest update program installed you will see the following displayed on your browser:
the simplest option is to click on “express“. the site will check your system to see what updates you will need. this may take a few minutes. it will then show you a page similar to the following:
please remember that this is what i see in my system. your browser may display one or more updates that need to be downloaded and installed in your system. if that’s the case, click on install updates and the site will do everything for you. just don’t close the browser window. you can minimize it but do not close it until it is finished updating your computer. depending on the updates installed, it may or may not ask you to restart your computer.
i usually choose the “custom” option when i go to the windows update site so i can see what exactly are the updates that need to be downloaded and installed in my system. if you chose to take that route, clicking on the custom button will have the site check your computer for the updates needed (it may take a few minutes) and it take you to a page similar to the following:
again, please remember that this is what i see in my system. your browser may display one or more updates that need to be downloaded and installed in your system. the really important updates are labeled “high priority” and should be installed. i usually download any hardware updates that available. once you’re ready, click on “review and install updates”. the site will take you to a list of updates that will be downloaded and installed in your computer. you can read up on what the updates are all about (warning: it might be boring stuff) and then click on that “install” button. the site will then download and install the updates.
again, please do not close the browser window as long as the udpates are being downloaded. you can minimize the browser but do not close it. once the updates are finished, you may or may not be asked to restart your computer.
