Update Windows

Microsoft regularly releases free downloads that help fix security problems with Windows, Internet Explorer and other software including Office. This guide explains how you can get these important updates.

What is Windows Update?
The Windows Update service provides a way of checking whether your Windows operating system needs any updates.


This can include security fixes, and software and hardware updates. It is essential Windows is kept up-to-date to prevent malicious programs taking advantage of security flaws to harm your PC.

You can download and install updates by visiting the Microsoft web site, or set your PC to automatically download the files in the background while you work. Note that ‘updating’ is not the same as ‘upgrading’. To upgrade your version of Windows from an older version to XP you would need to buy a Windows XP Home Edition Upgrade package. Updating Windows only ensures that you have the latest files for your particular Windows version such as XP.