The University of Montana - Western

Windows XP FAQs

What about Windows Updates / Microsoft Updates?

If your computer is running Windows XP, please read the following paragraphs.
(To find out if you are using Windows XP, Right-click the "My Computer" Icon and then Left-click on "Properties" You should see your operating system on the System Properties window that appears)

Look for a gold shield in the lower right corner of your screen on the taskbar (same bar as the [start] button, but located on the opposite side).

**If you have a gold shield, please save and close your programs before proceeding.
**If you have never seen the gold shield or thought cloud, please let me know.

The shield may also generate a small yellow thought cloud that will say:
"Updates are ready to be installed, please click here to install"
If you click on the thought cloud (or the gold shield), it will open up a window with two options, the default option is Express Install. Choose this option and click [install]. When the updates are finished, you may need to restart, please do this before opening any more programs.

Updated on: 07/14/08