How to Install Optional Updates on a Windows Vista Computer

To take maximum advantage of Vista’s Automatic Updates feature, the University recommends that you turn on automatic updating for the Vista operating system as well as updates for other Microsoft products such as Office. Automatic updates will help ensure your Microsoft products are as secure and stable as possible.

To enable optional updates, follow these steps:

Click Start.
Click Control Panel.
Double-click Windows Update.
Click Change Settings in the left-hand column.
In addition to the Install updates automatically (recommended) option, make sure a check mark appears in the checkbox in the Recommended updates section (near the bottom of the window in the following graphic).

Click OK to return to Windows Update. You should see a window that looks similar to the following:

Click the yellow button at the bottom of the window that reads Get updates for more products. Internet Explorer will automatically load.
Read the license agreement and click the box next to I accept the Terms of Use as shown in the following window:

Click Install.
When the User Account Control dialog box appears, click Continue.

After new updates install, you can close Internet Explorer. Windows Update will automatically search for any needed updates from this point on unless you change the settings.