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Automatic Updates question

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by psaulm119, 2006/06/17.

  1. 2006/06/17
    psaulm119 Lifetime Subscription

    psaulm119 Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Pardon my ignorance of such a basic XP feature, but I've always been the kind of "I'll update when I'm good and ready" guy, and I'm going to set Automatic Updates on, for my dad's new computer. Let me get this right--in the Automatic Updates window, the top selection will have windows: 1--download the updates as soon as they are available, and then 2--will install them at 3 AM (or whenever); and the second selection (Download updates for me blah blah blah) will d/l these same files, but then what--notify me in the system tray for me to install? or automatically install them when Windows shuts down?

    If my understanding of the top option is correct, what happens when you don't leave your computer on at 3 AM? Does XP simply wait till the next day that your comp is on at 3 AM?

    I'd like to work this out so that it can be as quick and seamless a process as possible.
     
    psaulm119,
    #1
  2. 2006/06/18
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Microsoft assumes that all computers are on 24/7 - no idea why - Windows Defender is the same, but at 2.00 am.

    If you check Automatic (recommended) you can then set the time and frequency to suit. Note that as a general rule MS releases updates on the second Tuesday of each month, known as Patch Tuesday, so a daily check is not necessary - weekly is better- on Tuesdays. (Note that MS releases updates at around Midday PST, so if you are elsewhere take into account the time difference. Best set for Wednesday I guess). As long as the computer is on at that time it will check for updates and download and install them, Should you attempt to turn off the computer while updates are being installed you will be unable to until the downloads are installed, at which point the computer will shut down.
    Yes - and that could be never, of course.

    Download updates for me ..... Windows will download when a connection is present and place a yellow shield with an exclamation mark in the Notification Area. Click on this icon to install at a time of your choosing.

    I use and prefer the third option Notify but don't download ... which places the same icon in the Notification Area advising that updates are available.

    For your Dad's computer I suggest you set the first option and schedule it at a sensible time :) - unless you take on the responsibility of keeping him updated when the choice of option is yours.
     
    PeteC,
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  4. 2006/06/18
    psaulm119 Lifetime Subscription

    psaulm119 Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Thanks, Pete that clarifies things. I'll go ahead and make it all automatic, but at 12 noon or something like that. I'd like to get his comuter updated with as little clicking as possible.
     
    psaulm119,
    #3

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