Ensure your system remains stable and secure with the latest updates.
Keeping Windows 7 updated is an important part of maintaining the security and good health of your PC, and it’s particularly essential in the early days of the operating system. As the software is installed on millions of computers across the globe, it’s likely that Microsoft will release a regular batch of updates to fix bugs and any hardware or software conflicts that appear. During the Windows 7 installation process, you’ll be prompted to switch on automatic updates for the operating system, and we’d recommend that you do so.
Updates are released for Windows for a wide variety of reasons. A particular download might be designed to add support for a new hardware device, for example, or block a security hole that has recently been discovered. As updates are so important, Microsoft has made the process of obtaining them as straightforward as possible, and for most of the time you won’t notice the Windows Update service is there (though you might be prompted to reboot your machine every once in a while). A list of recently installed updates can be found via the Windows Update component in Control Panel, so you can check that key downloads have been installed successfully and applied to Windows 7.
Less important, optional updates won't be installed by default.
In rare instances, a new update might cause a conflict with an existing software program or hardware device on your machine. If this is the case, you can use the Installed Updates page to uninstall the relevant patch and return your system to its previous state. Again, the process is straightforward and shouldn’t cause you any problems. Windows 7 will only install essential updates by default, but the list of optional additional updates is available for review at all times – these optional downloads will typically include additional language packs or more obscure tools that you might decide you can do without.
Click View update history on the left of the screen to check that all of your recent updates have been installed successfully. If an update appears to be causing trouble for your system, you can follow the installed Updates link to remove it. There’s also a link for troubleshooting problems with updates. In addition, by clicking on the Change settings link you can configure the way in which updates are downloaded and installed.
(For a full guide to keeping Windows 7 updated, order the Essential Windows 7 Handbook, on sale now from newsagents and online.)
