Turning on Windows XP Automatic Updates

You can tell Windows to automatically download the most recent updates. This is very crutial to keep up with any security patches.

On your Desktop, right-click on “My Computer” then click “Properties”

Click on the “Automatic Updates” tab.

If you have Service Pack 1, it will look like this:
If you have Service Pack 2, it will look like this:

If you have Service Pack 1, select the "Keep my computer up to date" check box. If you have Service Pack 2, you do not need to select any check box.

You can also select how you would like updates to be downloaded. We recommend selecting the second option, “Download the updates automatically and notify me when they are ready to be installed”.

You will see a notification balloon when updates are available. Click the notification balloon to review and install the updates.

If you have not already installed Service Pack 2, when you turn on Automatic Updates, you also prepare your computer to automatically download it. Service Pack 2 provides better security, protection against Internet attacks, better recovery should bad things happen, and ultimately fewer computer crashes.