ResNet Technical Support Document Using Windows Updates

August 18, 2005

If you need assistance with this document, please contact the UMKC IS Call Center. Phone: Email: Web: FAX: Location:

816.235.2000 [email protected] http://www.umkc.edu/is/support 816.235.6503 4825 Troost Building, Suite 102

Background Windows Update is part of the Microsoft service infrastructure which allows licensed copies of Windows to download and install security updates via the Internet. It is mandatory to configure and run this service for all Windows student computers in UMKC’s Residence Halls. This document describes the procedure for configuring and using the Windows Update service.

Procedures A. Accessing Windows Update 1. Type windowsupdate.microsoft.com in the Address Bar field in Internet Explorer. You cannot download Microsoft updates with other browsers. 2.

If you receive a security warning asking you to run an ActiveX control from Microsoft.com, click Yes to allow it to run.

3. When the page loads, it will look something like the following image. You should click Express to get all critical updates required by your system.

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4. Your system will be scanned to determine which updates are to be installed.

5. Updates to be downloaded and installed will be listed. Click the Download and Install Updates or Install Updates button to begin the process.

6. Download and installation should proceed. The time required will vary greatly with the number and size of patches to be installed as well as your Internet connection speed and your computer’s hardware specifications.

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7. After the installation is complete, you may be prompted to restart your computer. If prompted to do so, please click Restart Now. It is necessary to register all the new updates.

. If not prompted to restart, you should see an Installation Summery page.

8. You have now completed the installation of required critical security updates.

B. Configure Windows Update to run automatically 1. Logon to your computer with administrative privileges to the system. 2. Right-click on the My Computer icon and choose Properties.

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3. Select the Automatic (recommended) radio button and choose a schedule and time from the drop-down menus below it. UMKC Information Services recommends daily updates. The time is whatever is convenient for you. If your computer is not turned on at its scheduled time, the updates will be downloaded and installed the next time it has an Internet connection. 4. Click OK to finish.

C. Using Windows Update to install Service Pack 2 for Windows XP 1. If your Windows XP system has not been updated in a long time, you will most likely be prompted to install Service Pack 2. This update is an extremely important update from a security perspective and must be considered a required update for any system running Windows XP. 2. There are some things to note about the installation of Service Pack 2. i. It takes a long time. Book anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes for this download and installation. ii. It makes significant changes to your system which may require you to taken additional steps after it is installed. iii. While Service Pack 2 is a very important piece of the security puzzle, it is by no means a terminal piece. There continue to be numerous important patches to be installed even after Service Pack 2 is in place.

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3. Service Pack 2 includes a pop-up blocker for Internet Explorer. You may see information about pop-up being blocked on the Information Bar which is just below the Address Bar in Internet Explorer. If you right-click the Information Bar, if you wish, allow pop-ups from the current website or make other setting changes.

4. Service Pack 2 includes a firewall which may block some programs from running. A blocked program will generate a message like the one below. You can choose to block or allow the application to run.

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5. Service Pack 2 includes a Control Panel applet called Security Center that monitors the status of your security updates, antivirus program and Windows firewall. It looks like this. If any item is found to be lacking it will ask (but not require) you to take remediation steps to resolve the issue. In addition, advanced users can make modifications to the firewall from this interface to block or allow certain applications (e.g., Remote Desktop).

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