Microsoft Windows Update must be run from Microsoft Internet Explorer. To open Internet Explorer, double click on the icon on your desktop, or run it from the start menu by clicking on Start, then Programs, then Internet Explorer.

Once Internet Explorer loads, go to the tool bar at the top and click on Tools, then select Windows Update from the menu. This will load the Microsoft Windows Update page.

Note: If a window pops up asking to install software from Microsoft, click yes to continue.

Then next screen is the Windows Update Welcome Screen. To find out if any updates are available click the Scan Now link. The scan process may take up to a minute to complete on a slow connection.

The updates for your computer are now displayed. Click on Review and install updates to continue.

The next screen lists each critical update for your computer. Click the Install Now button to download and install the critical updates.

A new window will pop up displaying the download and install progress for the updates. Depending on the number of updates and the speed of your connection, the download and install time will vary.

When the installation is complete, the screen will list each update that was successfully installed, as well as any updates that did not install properly.

Some updates require that you restart your computer after installing them. Save your work and then click OK to restart your computer.

Microsoft Windows Update is now complete.

Note: Some updates must be installed separately from other updates, so Windows Update may need to be run more than once to install all the critical updates. After finishing Windows Update, run it again until there are no more critical updates listed.