Jump to content
United States - English

Updating Drivers and Software with Windows Update

Give us feedback

This document:
  • » Was helpful
  • » Was not helpful
  • » Does not apply

Support details

This document applies to HP and Compaq PCs with an Internet connection.
HP recommends that Microsoft Windows Update be used on a regular basis. Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, and other hardware and software vendors diligently pursue fixes and enhancements for their products. Many, including Hewlett Packard, use the Windows Update tool to distribute their updates. Here are some examples of issues that Windows Update can solve:
  • Realtek audio configuration issues in Vista.
  • Security vulnerabilities where the computer can be subjected to malicious attacks.
  • Music problems when recording in Windows Media Player.
  • Cannot establish a Remote Assistance connection.
  • The error SSDPSRV.EXE caused an invalid page fault in module MSVCRT.DLL at 0197...
  • CDs created in Windows XP cannot be read in other computers running Windows 98 and Me.
Get Windows Updates now (all versions of Windows)
To immediately get updates for your computer, connect to the Internet and go to http://www.update.microsoft.com . You may need to select your language or country/region if you have never visited the site before. Make sure you follow the directions in the Web pages to download and install updates.
NOTE: In Windows Vista, Windows Update is integrated into the operating system and a Windows Update window should automatically open when the web page is visited.
Back to top
Using Windows Update in Windows 7
Perform the following steps to find and install updated software and hardware drivers for your computer with Windows 7 or Windows Vista:
  1. If you are not already connected to the Internet, connect now.
  2. Click Start , All Programs , and then click Windows Update .
    Windows Update opens.
  3. Do one of the following:
    • To install only the updates that Microsoft has determined to be important, click the Install Updates button.
      All important updates are installed automatically. Optional updates are not installed.
      Figure 1: Windows Update in Windows 7
      Windows Update in Windows 7
    • To selectively install updates, including optional updates and updates to hardware drivers, click optional updates are available A list of all available updates opens in a new window. Select or deselect the titles in the list, and then click OK . :
      Figure 2: Optional updates
      Optional updates
  4. After clicking OK , Windows 7 creates a restore point if needed, downloads the update(s) and then provides more information. You may need to restart your computer after an update is installed.
Back to top
Automatically updating drivers and software Windows 7
Setting Windows Update to automatically update on a regular basis is a good idea, especially if your computer has a fast Internet connection that is always on. Perform the following steps to adjust the automatic download process used by Windows Update:
  1. If you are not already connected to the Internet, connect now.
  2. Click Start , All Programs , and then click Windows Update .
    Windows Update opens.
  3. Click Change settings from the left side of the page.
  4. Select Install updates automatically (recommended) and then select a time when the computer will be on but will not be used to browse the Internet.
    Figure 3: Windows Update settings in Windows 7
    Windows Update settings in Windows 7
  5. Click OK .
    Your computer is now set to automatically check and accept any critical updates that become available when you are online.
Back to top
Using Windows Update in Windows Vista
Perform the following steps to find and install updated software and hardware drivers for your computer with Windows Vista:
  1. If you are not already connected to the Internet, connect now.
  2. Click Start , All Programs , and then click Windows Update .
    Windows Update opens.
  3. Do one of the following:
    • To install only the updates that Microsoft has determined to be important, click the Install Updates button.
      All important updates are installed automatically. Optional updates are not installed.
      Figure 4: Windows Update in Windows Vista
      Windows Update in Windows Vista
    • To selectively install updates, including optional updates and updates to hardware drivers, click View available updates (under the Install updates button). A list of all available updates opens in a new window. Select or deselect the titles in the list, and then click Install .
      Figure 5: Optional updates
      A list of optional updates with a Realtek sound driver update selected for installation
  4. After clicking Install, Windows Vista creates a restore point if needed, downloads the update(s) and then provides more information. You may need to restart your computer after an update is installed.
Back to top
Automatically updating drivers and software Windows Vista
Setting Windows Update to automatically update on a regular basis is a good idea, especially if your computer has a fast Internet connection that is always on. Perform the following steps to adjust the automatic download process used by Windows Update:
  1. If you are not already connected to the Internet, connect now.
  2. Click Start , All Programs , and then click Windows Update .
    Windows Update opens.
  3. Click Change settings from the left side of the page.
  4. Select Install updates automatically (recommended) and then select a time when the computer will be on but will not be used to browse the Internet.
    Figure 6: Windows Update settings
  5. Click OK .
    Your computer is now set to automatically check and accept any critical updates that become available when you are online.
Back to top
Automatically updating drivers and software in Windows XP
To get updates immediately in Windows XP, connect to the Internet and go to http://www.update.microsoft.com . Setting Windows Update to automatically update on a regular basis is a very good idea, especially if your computer has a fast Internet connection that is always on. Perform the following steps to find and install updated software and hardware drivers for your computer with Windows XP:
  1. If you are not already connected to the Internet, connect now.
  2. Click Start , right-click My Computer , and select Properties .
  3. Click the Automatic Updates tab, and select Keep my computer up to date .
  4. Select one of the three settings that best fits your needs and then click OK .
    NOTE: For computers with dial-up Internet access, it is probably best to select Automatic and then select a time when the computer will be on but will not be used to browse the Internet.
    Figure 7: System Properties: Automatic Updates tab
    Your computer is now set to automatically check and accept any critical updates that become available when you are online.
Back to top
Cannot install an update?
There are two main tools on your computer that you can use to update software on your PC. Microsoft's Windows Update and HP's HP Update software. If you cannot find an update in Windows Update or an update fails to install, try to find the update using HP Update . If HP Update does not have the update you are looking for, see Microsoft Update Solution Center (in English) for helpful troubleshooting support documents that you can use to resolve the problem.
Related support
Microsoft support article - How to configure and use Automatic Updates in Windows XP (in English). HP Pavilions with Windows XP have automatic updates enabled by default. This feature allows update reminder messages to appear when connected to the Internet. Use this support article to disable or change the behavior of the automatic update feature.
Back to top
NOTE: One or more of the links above will take you outside the Hewlett-Packard Web site. HP does not control and is not responsible for information outside the HP Web site.


Other solutions customers found helpful

» HP and Compaq Desktop PCs -- Obtaining Software and Drivers
» HP and Compaq Desktop PCs -- Using and Troubleshooting HP Update
»  -- Updating the BIOS (HP and Compaq Desktop PCs & Workstations)
» HP and Compaq Desktop PCs -- Upgrading to Windows 7
Print this page
Search
Contact HP