Vista - Windows Updates Questions

Important and Recommended Windows Updates are scheduled to be automatically installed on my computer at 3 a.m., a time when the computer is turned off.

1. I thought the updates would be automatically installed the next time the computer was turned on. However, when I check updates, I sometimes get a message to install updates. Does the computer have to be on and online to have Important and Recommended Windows updates automatically installed?

2. If the computer is not on and online at scheduled time, do I have to install updates manually?

3. How can I see a description of the updates before I install them manually? (When I check I get a button to Install Now and I can view update history, but I don't see a way to check updates before I install them.

4. On my Update settings, one option is for Microsoft Update, updates for Microsoft products and check for new optional Microsoft software when Windows update occurs. Do I need this if I'm not interested in new Microsoft software?

Thanks.

First of all moosescooter, get into the habit of spending a couple of minutes at each start-up by clicking Start>Windows Update>Check for Updates.

However, sometimes, and especially each 'Patch Tuesday', you will often find that you will have received prior notification of Windows Updates ready to be downloaded and installed, and in those circumstances, the header will be coloured a warning yellow.

Answer to Q1. As far as I am aware, the only 'automatic download and install' updates that occur, are for Windows Defender. However, you can often pre-empt the automatic download etc. for Windows Defender, if you do your daily start-up check.

Answer to Q2. Yes. Check and install manually.

Answer to Q3.

......as you can see, if you click on the updates, you are now presented with information about the Updates that are ready for installation. More detail about each Update can be obtained by clicking on to 'More Information'.

Answer to Q4.

......and again, my setup is exactly as you have described in your opening paragraph. What you don't want, just uncheck. These are after all, just optional extras. I choose to have them checked for my own information, bearing in mind that I still retain the option to accept or deny if advised of any new features etc.

Hope that this helps in some small way.

sassofalco,

Thank you for the followup.

G'Day moosescooter,

As an example, I have a little more detailed follow-up that may help.

This morning as usual, I did a check on Windows Update, where nothing was reported. At that time I also do a check on my latest Restore Point. If you have CCleaner installed, you can actually check there for all current Restore Points - very useful info.

Then within the last hour, I received an email from MS giving notification of an important new Update;


So it was back to check on Windows Update [after reading the relevant documents referred to in the email];


A click on 1 important update is available, opened this page;


This is where you can read the details of the Update [your earlier concern] and if you choose to install it, a click on the box alongside it, places a check in it, then just click OK, which takes you back to here for installment;


Once the install is completed, this page appears;


I always check on the installation by clicking on View Update history, where you will see confirmation of a successful [or not, sometimes] install;


Finally, just to verify that all has gone as it should, I always double-check for the latest Restore Point [Windows Update] via Start>Control Panel>Backup and Restore>Create a Restore Point or change settings. The display should mirror your Windows Update details.


And in conclusion, just to whet your appetite, this is CCleaner's record of the verification process.



OK, it is just a small amount of time taken, but it does leave me happy in the knowledge that not only has the Windows Update been installed, but I also have the necessary 'fall-back' Restore Points to go to, should the Update generate any instability or other problems, in the meantime.

Hope that this all helps, and that you have a better idea about it all.