Windows Updates

Periodically, updates for your operating system are made available to users. These updates may correct bugs or close security vulnerabilities. Therefore, it is crucial that your machine is set up to automatically receive and install these updates.

To check this: open the Control Panel and select Windows Updates or Check for Updates under the Security heading, depending on your control panel view.

Look for a line that begins “You have Windows set to:” and make sure it’s set to automatically install updates. If not, click Change Settings in the left task column.

Then click Install updates automatically. Click OK then close the Windows Update control panel window. That’s it! Your machine is now configured to automatically install updates at the time specified in the previous window.

Windows Defender

Vista now has a built-in spyware removal tool known as Windows Defender. You can access Windows Defender by opening the Control Panel. Select the Security icon then click on Windows Defender.

You can run Windows Defender on demand or set it up to run automatically.

• To run a manual scan, simply click the Scan button in the top of the window.
• To set up an automatic scan, click the Tools button at the top of the window followed by the Options icon. Next, check the box to “Automatically scan my computer” and specify your scan preferences. Ideally a daily full scan would be beneficial. Finally, click the Save button. Your computer will now run a Windows Defender scan at the time and frequency you specified.