Checking for Windows 7 Updates using Windows Updates

August 25, 2009 1 Comment

To check for Windows Updates manually in Windows 7 please follow the steps:

  1. Click on the Start button to open the Start Menu. Refer to Image below.

    Opening the Start Menu in Windows 7

  2. Click on All Programs in the Start Menu to expand the All Programs list. Refer to Image below.

  3. Locate and click Windows Update within the Start Menu. Refer to Image below.

  4. The Windows Update window will open and should look similar to the image below.

  5. Click on Check for updates in the Windows Update window. Refer to Image below.

  6. When Windows Update has finished scanning your system then you will have the opportunity to select the updates you want to install for Windows 7 and other Microsoft products.

Version 1.3
Edited: April 11, 2014

Filed under Windows 7, Windows 7 Tips Tagged with , ,

Microsoft Released Windows XP Service Pack 3 – May 6, 2008

May 6, 2008 3 Comments

On Tuesday, May 6, 2008, Microsoft released Windows XP Service Pack 3 (32-bit) to Windows Updates and on the Download Center.

NOTE

This articles does not show Windows XP Security Updates. Please review MSFT Security Updates blog category for Windows XP Security Updates.

Most customers are recommended to use Windows Update to install Windows XP Service Pack 3 because the download size is much smaller than the download on the Download Center.

How Do I Get Windows XP Service Pack 3

Windows Update

  • Launch Microsoft Update or Windows Update icon in the Start Menu
  • Visit Microsoft Update using Internet Explorer.

Download Center

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Overview, Release Notes, and List of Fixes

Overview

Release Notes

List of Fixes

Other

Internet Explorer and Windows XP Service Pack 3

Before you install Service Pack 3 for Windows XP, you should read the Internet Explorer blog article "IE and Windows XP Service Pack 3". The blog article describes the different scenarios if you have Internet Explorer 6 or Internet Explorer 7 installed when you install Service Pack 3 for Windows XP. My recommendations can be found at "Internet Explorer and Windows XP Service Pack 3 " blog article.

Updating your Windows XP System

Please keep your computer up to date with Critical and Important updates by using the Windows Update feature in Windows XP or by visiting Microsoft Update. If you experience any problems with Microsoft Security updates then please call Microsoft support for help. There will be no charge for support on Security Updates.

Microsoft has set up newsgroups for self-support. If you need help for Security updates or any other updates that is issued by Microsoft then please visit the Windows Update newsgroup at using your newsreader news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate.

Related Articles

Version 1.5
Edited: May 13, 2012

Filed under Windows XP, Windows XP Updates Tagged with , , ,

Windows Update Notification Not Appearing in Notification Tray when logged in as a Standard User in Windows Vista

November 20, 2007 Leave a comment

Windows Update Notifications icon will not show up in the Notification Tray for Standard Users that are logged into Windows Vista when a Windows Update is available to download and / or install. The Windows Update Notifications will appear when the user is running as an Administrator. Users that are running as Standard Users in Windows Vista could apply a policy to allow Windows Update Notifications to appear when updates are ready to download and / or install.

CAUTION

Before making any changes to the Windows Vista Registry, please backup the Windows Vista Registry using the directions from "Create a System Restore Point". For restoring your computer with a system restore point within Windows Vista, read "Restore Your System/Computer Using A User Created System Restore Point".

Manual Steps Using Group Policy Editor

NOTE

The Group Policy Editor requires Administrative privileges and is only available for Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Enterprise, and Windows Vista Ultimate. Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Home Basic users can follow the Windows Vista Registry Method, REG ADD Method, or the Automated Fix Method to add the Group Policy.

  1. Click on the Start Orb (commonly known as the Start button).
  2. Type gpedit.msc in the Start Search field on the Start Menu.
  3. Press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER on your keyboard.
  4. Accept the UAC Prompt.
  5. In the Group Policy Editor navigate to:

    Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update

  6. Double-click Allow non-administrators to receive update notifications.
  7. Select Enabled.
  8. Click Apply.
  9. Close the Group Policy Editor.

Manual Steps Using Windows Vista Registry

  1. Click on the Start Orb (commonly known as the Start button).
  2. Type regedit.exe in the Start Search field on the Start Menu.
  3. Press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER on your keyboard to elevate the Windows Vista Registry. More Information, "Opening the Registry Editor with Elevated Privileges".
  4. Accept the UAC Prompt.
  5. Navigate to:

    HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

    NOTE

    The WindowsUpdate registry key may not exists. To create the WindowsUpdate key, right-click HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows to select New > Key. Name the new key WindowsUpdate.

  6. Right-click WindowsUpdate to select New > DWORD (32-bit).
  7. Name the new DWORD ElevateNonAdmins.
  8. Right-click ElevateNonAdmins to select Modify.
  9. Change the value to 1.
  10. Close the Elevated Registry Editor.

NOTE

You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Manual Steps Using REG ADD

  1. Click on the Start Orb (commonly known as the Start button).
  2. Type cmd.exe in the Start Search field on the Start Menu.
  3. Press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER on your keyboard to elevate the Windows Vista Command Prompt. More Information, "Opening an Elevated Command Prompt".
  4. Accept the UAC Prompt.
  5. Type:

    REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v ElevateNonAdmins /t REG_DWORD /d 1

  6. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
  7. Type EXIT and press ENTER on your keyboard to close the Elevated Command Prompt.

NOTE

You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Automated Fix Using an Registration File

  1. Log into an account with Administrative Privileges if you are not part of the Administrator Group.
  2. Download wu.notifications.reg to a folder on your hard drive.
  3. Right-click wu.notifications.reg to select Merge.
  4. Accept the UAC Prompt.
  5. Now the registration entries are added for you.

NOTE

You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

NOTES

The wu.notifications.reg file is from my web server (http://lprf.homeserver.com). You also can view the contents of the wu.notifications.reg file by right-clicking the file and selecting Edit. You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Platforms Tested

  • Microsoft Windows Vista, 32-bit Editions

Version 1.1
Edited: May 11, 2012

Filed under Windows Vista, Windows Vista Tips Tagged with , , ,

Checking for Updates on Windows Vista Manually

January 30, 2007 58 Comments

To check for Windows Updates manually in Windows Vista please follow the steps:

  1. Click on the Start button to open the Start Menu. Refer to Image below.

     

  2. Click on All Programs in the Start Menu to expand the All Programslist. Refer to Image below.

     

  3. Locate and click Windows Update within the Start Menu. Refer to Image below.

     

  4. The Windows Updatewindow will open and should look similar to the image below.

     

  5. Click on Check for updates in the Windows Updatewindow. Refer to Image below.

     

  6. When Windows Update has finished scanning your system then you will have the opportunity to select the updates you require. Good Luck.

Version 1.2
Edited: May 1, 2012

Filed under Windows Vista, Windows Vista Tips Tagged with , ,