How to update the Windows XP operating system. How to update Windows yourself? Simple tips for novice users How to update the system on a laptop

I'll start with conclusions and then it will be detailed instructions about how I recommend updating the Windows 7 system, as well as about automatic updates, about checking for updates manually, how to turn off updates and why you shouldn't turn them off. Go!

Updates must be installed. The method “ Look for updates, but the decision to download and install is made by me».

And when messages from the Center appear windows updates When new updates have been found, take the time to download and install Windows updates.

From time to time, you can manually check for Windows updates using the "Search for updates" option (number 1 in Fig. 1), without waiting for these updates to be detected automatically. And, if updates are found manually, install them on your PC as well.

With this approach, the Windows 7 operating system is up to date, and will be maximally protected from.

Let's now figure out how to configure updates and how to install them so that they remain useful, but not annoying. Windows users 7.

Where is the Windows 7 updater

This program is called Windows Update. It can be found

through the Search line (the "Start" button - enter the text without quotation marks in the "Find programs and files" line: "Windows Update"),

or through the "Control Panel" (button "Start" - "Control Panel" - "System and Security" - "Windows Update").

After that, a Windows Update window will open on the screen, as shown in Fig. one:

Rice. 1. Window of the program "Windows Update"

In this window, we will be interested in two options: "Search for updates" (number 1 in Fig. 1) and "Configure parameters" (number 2 in Fig. 1).

Configuring Windows 7 Updates

To configure updates, click on the "Parameter settings" label (number 2 in Fig. 1). A window for selecting a method for installing Windows updates will appear (Fig. 2):

Rice. 2. Window for configuring updates for Windows 7

Screenshot in fig. 2 is made in the Windows 7 Professional operating system. For others, the update window may look different.

Windows 7 developers offer users of this operating system 4 ways to install updates (numbers 1 - 4 in Fig. 2).

If you are interested in the question "How to enable Windows 7 update?", You need to choose one of three methods:

"Install updates automatically (recommended)" (number 1 in Fig. 2).
"Download updates, but the decision about installation is made by me" (solid two, because in Fig. 2 - number 2).
“Look for updates, but the decision to download and install is made by me” (number 3 in Fig. 2).

The question of how to "turn off Windows 7 update" is solved using the fourth method:

Let's consider all four methods in more detail.

I would also recommend this method if there were none. It lies in the fact that finding, downloading and installing Windows updates is a rather difficult and time-consuming task for a computer. This process does not go unnoticed by the user. During the search, download and installation of updates, the computer is heavily loaded, slows down the execution of other tasks and programs. And at the end of the installation of updates, it generally begins to require a system reboot.

And all this happens, as a rule, at the most inopportune moment. When there is no time to stop (pause) work and restart the PC.

For some reason, here I want to recall Murphy's law: "Left to themselves, events tend to develop from bad to worse." That is why I do not want to give the operating system the ability to independently search, download and install updates.

Let's look at the second method of installing Windows 7 updates.

Method 2 "Download updates, but the installation decision is made by me"

Realizing that the installation of updates requires additional loading of the PC and requires a reboot for the final installation of new programs, Windows developers offer us this, more simplified option than the previous one ("Install updates automatically").

Insofar as automatic search Updates and their download also requires PC resources, it also diverts the power of the computer to these processes.

And this makes it difficult for users, again at the most inopportune moment for this, as luck would have it. And here I would like to recall Murphy's laws: "When things are going well, something must happen in the very near future" and "When things go worse than ever, in the very near future they will go even worse."

Therefore, let's leave this way Windows updates alone, and move on to the third method.

Method 3 "Look for updates, but the decision to download and install is made by me" or How to disable automatic updates in Windows 7?

Here we see minimal diversion of computer resources. Namely, resources are diverted only to find updates for the Windows 7 operating system via the Internet.

Found updates will not be downloaded to the user's computer until the user decides to do so. This method is especially convenient for those who have the Internet with limited traffic... For downloading updates is additional megabytes of downloadable from the Internet

Therefore, despite the fact that this is only the third on the list of ways to install Windows updates, but this is what I recommend for PC users.

We will look at how to download and install updates later, but for now, let's move on to considering the fourth last method of installing Windows updates.

This is the last, 4th way to update the Windows 7 system.

And here I agree with the Windows developers that this method cannot be recommended for computer users.

For by applying this fourth method, the PC user thus refuses to receive and install any updates. And this can lead to an increase in security threats to the operating system, to an increase in its vulnerability.

In addition to choosing the method for downloading and installing Windows updates, in the window for selecting the method for installing Windows updates, set the following checkboxes (see Fig. 2):

"Receive recommended updates in the same way as important updates"(number 5 in Fig. 2). Windows developers, in order to completely confuse PC users, have come up with not only important (or in other words, mandatory) Windows updates, but also the so-called recommended updates. It is not possible to distinguish one from the other. Therefore, in order not to get confused, you must put a tick in front of this inscription.

"Allow all users to install updates on this computer"(number 6 in Fig. 2). Why is this? If there are several accounts on the computer, under which different users can work, or even one user under different accounts, then this checkbox gives all of them the right to download and install updates. The checkbox is useful, because otherwise you can forget about updates for a long time if you work under account where updates will not be allowed. And this can lead to an increased threat of computer vulnerability.

"When updating Windows, provide updates for Microsoft products ..."(number 7 in Fig. 2). It is also a useful checkbox, since it allows you to receive not only updates to files of the Windows operating system, but also to receive updates to application programs, such as, for example, Microsoft Office Word etc. These applications are also improved over time, and getting updates for them allows you to have up-to-date versions.

"Show detailed notifications when new Microsoft software appears "(number 8 in Fig. 2). You do not need to check this box, since this is a kind of consent to receive advertising information. You can put it, it won't get any worse.

So, we set the third method for installing Windows updates "Search for updates, but the decision to download and install is made by me." And set all of the above checkboxes (numbers 5-8 in Fig. 2).

Then we press the "OK" button (Fig. 2). The window for choosing how to install Windows updates will close.

Moving on to installing Windows 7 updates

Windows Update is now set to constant search new updates. While there are no updates, in the Windows Update window there will be an inscription with a green background "Windows does not require updating", as shown by number 3 in Fig. one.

But as soon as new updates appear and they are found, you will see the inscription "Download and install updates" with a yellow stripe (Fig. 6) indicating the volume to be downloaded from the Internet. This information is useful because for those with limited Internet traffic it allows them to decide whether to download updates.

Let's say if the traffic is limited to 50 Megabytes (for example, when using mobile internet), and you will have to download 100 megabytes of updates, then such information will be a warning that you do not need to do this.

Checking for Windows 7 updates manually

Updates can be checked manually without waiting for it to be done for us automatic program... To do this, in the "Windows Update" window, click on the inscription "Search for updates" (number 1 in Fig. 1). A "creeping" green line "Search for updates" will appear (number 1 in Fig. 3).

Rice. 3. Checking for updates manually using Windows Update

After a while, the search will end. The search result can be

lack of updates,
found optional (recommended) updates, or
found mandatory (important) updates.

Both mandatory (important) and optional (but recommended) updates can also be found at the same time.

Installing Windows 7 updates

In fig. 4 below shows the Windows Update window after searching for updates when one optional (recommended) update is found.

Rice. 4. Windows Update window after completing the search for updates, when one optional (recommended) update was found

In the window that opens, put a check mark (number 1 in Fig. 5) opposite the name of the update (in in this case- this is an update for the program), and then click on the "OK" button (number 2 in Fig. 5):

Rice. 5. Preparing to install an optional update

After that, we will return to the Windows Update window (Fig. 6), where the “Download and install selected updates” message will already appear, indicating the download size (in this case, it is a small amount, only 417 Kb). Here you should click on the "Install updates" button (number 1 in Fig. 6).

Rice. 6. Completing preparations for installing an optional update

After that, the installation of Windows updates will begin. The window (Fig. 7) will display the inscription "Updates installation in progress ..." (number 1 in Fig. 7). And below it will show the installation progress. The installation of updates can be interrupted at any time by clicking on the "Stop installation" button (number 2 in Fig. 7).

But in general, it is not recommended to interrupt the installation of updates. It is better to wait until the installation is complete, although in some cases it can take quite a long time.

Rice. 7. Performing the Windows update installation procedure

At the end of the installation, the message "Updates installed successfully" may appear, as shown in Fig. 8. But if there are a lot of updates, and they are complex, then you may need to restart the operating system. In this case, the Windows Update window will prompt you to restart. It is advisable to agree with this and reboot the operating system in order to finally complete the installation of updates.

Rice. 8. Windows updates installation completion window

During the restart of the Windows 7 operating system after the installation of Windows updates, you must not turn off the computer until the complete cycle of unloading (stopping) the system and then loading the system. This can also take a decent amount of time, but you need to be patient and complete this process in a regular way, without interrupting it halfway.

Also during reboot on blue screen You may receive messages about the progress of installing Windows updates. The percentage of installation completed will be shown.

As a rule, when the system is unloaded, the updates are installed at 30%, after which the computer turns off for a moment and starts rebooting. During the download, the updates are already installed at 100%, which may also be indicated by messages on a blue screen.

Still, why do we need updates?

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If you read the previous tutorials, you know that the functions described in them are not available for the "Starter" and "Home Basic" versions of Windows.

And if we take into account the fact that most often these versions are preinstalled on computers that are on store shelves, I began to receive a lot of questions - How to update Windows 7?

By the way, you don't have to worry, the data stored on your computer will not be damaged.

But still, before proceeding to the practical steps, read the article to the end, and if everything suits you, proceed to the update.

How to update Windows 7 in minutes

The first thing to do is to find out if you have the update package installed.

To do this, click right click mouse on the "Computer" icon (on the desktop or in the Start menu) and click "Properties". A window will open in which information about your computer will be presented.

We are interested in the very first item "Windows Edition", which indicates the version of the operating system and the update package.

If you have the inscription "Service Pack 1", everything is fine, you can skip the next item.

Installing the service pack for Windows7

We go to the Start menu, in the search bar, type "Windows Update" and click on it.

In the left menu of the window that opens, select the item "Search for updates"

But I think you can handle it, there is nothing complicated about it. Upon completion of the search, you can simply click the "Install updates" button and repeat this process until you have the same window (see above).

Or you can open the list of found updates, find and tick only "Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows 7", click "OK" and "Install updates".

Wait for the installation to complete and restart your computer. Then go to the properties of the computer again and see if the inscription "Service Pack 1" appears. If not, then keep installing updates.

Now you need to download and install the Upgrade Advisor, it will determine if your computer is capable of upgrading to the next version.

We launch the advisor and start checking.

If everything is good and the update is available, then you can go directly to it.

Getting started updating Windows 7

First you need to download the key generator

By the way, I downloaded it from different sites, and when I started it, my antivirus started to swear, but still I seem to have managed to find a clean one, and I offer it to you.

Now go to "Start> All Programs", and at the top, find and run "Windows Anytime Upgrade".

We select the second item "Enter the update key"

A window with an input field will open

Now we start the downloaded key generator.

It presents three versions:

Home extended
Professional
Maximum

Opposite each of them there are "Generate" buttons, by clicking on which you get a key to update a particular version.

I advise you not to jump from the Initial version directly to the Maximum version, but update in order!

Enter the received key in the Anytime Upgrade program field, and click "Next".

If the key did not pass, then click on another Generate button and try again.

Then we accept the terms of the license

Click on "Update"

We are waiting for the end of the update, after which the computer will be restarted.

If everything happened like this, then congratulations, you have successfully updated Windows!

Checking activation after updating Windows 7

After updating, check Windows activation! It is very simple to do this, go to the computer properties, and look at the activation state at the very bottom.

If it says that the activation is complete, then everything is great!

Note!

If after updating to the "Professional" version you have 3 days left, then update to the "Maximum", most often this is enough!

If the "Maximum" is also counting days, then use the activator.

We turn off the Internet and run the file "w7lxe.exe", wait for a few seconds, after which the computer will restart, during which a black screen with a choice of system should appear, just press "Enter", the activator will do everything that needs to be done and restart the computer again, after which the activation should be ok!

Important!

This update method is illegal, so use it exclusively for updating. home computer! The use of such an operating system in offices will entail responsibility!

Instructions

The Windows operating system is not reliable enough from a security point of view; new vulnerabilities are discovered in it almost every week. As soon as information about a vulnerability becomes known to the hacking community, the number of computers infected with viruses or compromised computers begins to grow very rapidly - until Microsoft employees release an update that closes the discovered vulnerability. This is why it is important to set up operating system to automatic update - in this case, the elimination of vulnerabilities will occur most quickly.

To turn on automatic update in OS Windows XP open: "Start - Control Panel - Automatic Updates". In the window that opens, select the "Automatic" option.

If you are using the Windows 7 operating system, open: "Start - Control Panel - Windows Update". Select "Parameter settings" from the menu on the left and set the required options.

Remember that automatic updates are guaranteed to work without problems only on a licensed version of Windows. In the event that you are using a pirated version, an attempt to update the system may lead to the fact that there will be an update, and a message will appear on the desktop stating that you have an unlicensed version of the operating system.

If you have to use a pirated version of Windows 7, update the system in manual mode... Review the list of updates prepared for installation - if it contains the KB971033 update, cancel the installation of this file. It is he who checks the operating system license key. Install all other update files and replace, as soon as possible, your OS with a licensed version, this will save you a lot of problems and hassle.

You can update Windows using service packs downloaded separately, which can be found on the Internet. Such packages can be installed automatically or manually. Be careful not to download update packages from unverified sites - very often such packages contain trojans.

If you have old version OS - for example Windows XP SP2, update it by installing Windows XP SP3 operating system over the old one. The process of such an update is very simple: turn on the computer, wait for the operating system to load. Insert into floppy drive installation disc, select from the menu Windows installation... In the window that appears, select the "Update (Recommended)" option. During the installation process, you will be required to enter the installation key. Installing in update mode will preserve all your programs and system settings.

Sources:

how to update windows os

There is no perfection in the world. This catch phrase fully applies to software. New versions of programs constantly appear, in which developers fix bugs, add new functions and improve existing ones. In this case, the installation of an updated version usually involves the removal of the previous one. And if this does not pose a problem for individual programs, then this method is definitely not suitable for the operating system.

You will need

Computer, Windows operating system, basic computer skills, Internet access

Instructions

The most in a simple way maintaining the operating system "in good shape" is automatic. To activate this feature, open the "Control Panel" in the "Start" menu and in the window that opens, select "Automatic Updates". Click on it with the left mouse button, in the settings window that appears, activate the "Automatic" item. After that, everything released by Microsoft will be installed automatically, of course, only if it is connected to.

In Windows XP, system updates are activated through the System Properties applet. Click the "Start" menu, select "Control Panel". In the folder that opens, double-click the left mouse button on the "System" item.

The "System" applet will appear in front of you. Go to the Automatic Updates tab and select Automatic (Recommended). Below this item there are settings for automatic system updates, select the day of the week and time when updates will be downloaded from the developer's web servers.

The lack of an Internet connection does not mean that you will not be able to install the updates. These updates are released as service packs and are recorded on CD-ROMs.

For operating system Windows Vista the order of downloading the update has changed slightly, in addition to the updates that can be obtained using the "Automatic Updates" service, it is possible special utility from the developer - Windows Update... It can be found in the Start menu, in the All Programs section.

After starting this program, you need to configure it: click the "Change settings" button on the left side of the program. Choose the system update options that are most suitable for you. Go to the "Recommended updates" section and check the "Include updates on download, installation and update notification" item, then click the "OK" button. If the screen prompts you to enter an administrator password, enter the password and click OK.

After the release of a program, its manufacturer, as a rule, continues to work on it - previously unnoticed errors are eliminated, new features are added and existing capabilities are improved. As improvements accumulate, the manufacturer releases new versions of the program containing all these changes. If you have a basic version, then, in most cases, you can also upgrade to new versions.

Instructions

Take advantage of the automatic update function over the Internet - it's the easiest of all possible ways... Many programs are able to do this on their own and in their settings, as a rule, the auto-update option is enabled by default. For example, in a web browser ("") Mozilla firefox this setting is located on the "Updates" tab of the "Advanced" section of the window, which is through the "Options" item of the "Tools" section in the browser menu. For this program to automatically, without your participation, there should be a checkmark under the inscription "Automatically check for updates for" in the field " FireFox Browser"And in the" Automatically download and install updates "field. In other programs, this process may be organized differently - look in the help for the program for the text "automatic update".

Download the updated version from the manufacturer's website and run the resulting file if automatic updates are not provided in the program. It is possible that for a normal update it will be necessary to close program, enter license code, restart your computer or do something else - you will receive all the necessary instructions from the program itself during its operation. The program does not have to be downloaded over the network, it can be a new version on optical disc from a store or on a flash drive from another source.

Contact the program manufacturer if you have a service contract with them. In this case, it is better not to update yourself. software without informing (at least by) the seller of the software product. This must be done, since you may not be aware of some peculiarities of the update procedure, which small software vendors often do not document. As a result, something during the update process may go wrong as you expect, and there may be difficulties with the seller's warranty obligations.

The updates bring changes to the performance of Windows 7, fix various errors and crashes, and add new features. Microsoft is still releasing security patches and troubleshooting the system.

Update centre

Centre Windows updates 7 is responsible for downloading the latest patches of the "seven". The icon to open it can be found in the list of programs Start or in Control panels... There you can install the latest versions of system components.

Customization

In the Update Center, open the menu " Settings».

Initially, the system works in auto-update mode. But this function can be disabled, in which case it will be necessary to use the manual function. To do this, activate the search for the latest versions.

The dialog box displays a list of components for which any changes were released. They are divided into three groups.
There are three groups of updates:

Important. The group includes significant or critical changes to the system related to the security of data and the functioning of various Windows components... Any innovation from the "Important" group should be installed immediately when it comes out. This will keep your computer and its data in the best possible condition.
Featured. This includes fixing non-critical PC problems, but still very significant. Installing them will make the PC more comfortable to use, eliminate existing problems or avoid their occurrence in the future. Both auto-update and manual download are available.
Optional. This group includes those innovations that do not make significant changes to the functioning of the computer and do not fix serious problems. They are intended to make the system more user-friendly, but they are not considered important or critical. They cannot be installed automatically, only manual download is available.

Read about how to disable auto-update of the system in our.

An important nuance: anyone can update Windows 7 for free. No board is required to download any system components from the list. But it should be understood that the procedure consumes Internet traffic. This fact must be taken into account by users with limited connections.

Selecting components to install

The user has a choice of components to install. For example, if you have a third-party antivirus installed, there is no need to download the latest version of Windows Defender.

In the same way, you can disable the installation of other components. But if you are not sure about their significance or do not know the function, it is best to leave everything as it is.

In any case, it is highly recommended to download updates from the first group, from the second - too, but from the third - at will.

Recommendation: if automatic mode is disabled on your computer, it is advisable to update the system yourself. This will maintain latest version Windows 7, which includes new features as well as fixes for old issues.

Possible problems and solutions

Various issues can occur when trying or during the process of updating Windows 7. Let's consider the most popular ones.

Problem 1: Auto-update does not work

Initially, the system is configured in such a way that it automatically downloads all new versions and installs them when the computer is restarted. However, in some situations this function is disabled or does not work.

In the first case, you need to enable auto-update. This is done through a special service:

In the second case, you need to update the OS manually.

Problem 2: Can't update the system manually

Various crashes may occur when installing newer versions of Windows 7. First of all, it is worth checking the connection to the Network. Setup files are downloaded from Microsoft servers and cannot be downloaded if there is no Internet connection.

When trying to update the operating system, you should disable any antivirus software and computer protection tools. It is advisable to close all unnecessary programs.

If you want to download a specific Windows component, but this cannot be done, then you can independently download the installation package from the developer's servers.

Official Microsoft page Download Center - https://www.microsoft.com/ru-ru/download/default.aspx

The search area is located at the top of the page. Enter the name of the required component in it and click on the magnifying glass icon.

Problem 3: The system is out of order

If, as a result of the update, the computer began to work worse or any problems arose, then it is worth rolling back Windows to its previous state. The corresponding function is found in the control panel. For more information, see our Windows 7 System Restore article.

When Windows 10 first hit the market, Microsoft was incredibly generous. Until July 29, 2016 inclusive, any user could update their OS to 10 versions for free. Moreover, this service was available both for users with a licensed operating system and for pirates. Nevertheless, many users missed this chance. Some were lazy, others simply did not believe in such an attraction of unheard of generosity. In general, many users have missed the opportunity to hold up to version 10.

More than a year has passed since the release of Windows 10. Microsoft has fixed all the bugs and shortcomings that users did not like. And the users themselves "tasted" the new Windows and realized what it is capable of. Therefore on this moment Windows 10 is considered the best system from Microsoft. This has been recognized not only by the company, but also by millions of users around the globe.

How do you upgrade from Windows 8 or 7 to Windows 10? Can buy licensed version operating system. True, this option is not suitable for everyone. After all, the prices for Windows 10 bite. For the Home version, you will have to pay 8 699 rubles, and the Professional assembly costs as much as 15 299 rubles. Can I get my hands on an innovative operating system for free? You will find out the answer by reading this article.

Free version of Windows 10

How to upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 10 for free? Previously, this could be done via Windows Update. It was required to press only one button and the OS started the update. Nevertheless, on July 19, 2016, a countdown counter appeared in the Update Center for a free update to ten. From 07/29/2016 the freebie has officially ended. Since then to this day, there is no button in Windows Update that suggests updating to Windows 10 version. Nevertheless, it is quite possible to get a new operating system for free.

According to Microsoft, they tried to make Windows 10 as convenient as possible for people with disabilities. The company even offers them to upgrade Windows to 10 for free. This offer does not have any restrictions or special conditions. Accordingly, anyone can use it. All you need is:

Questions about upgrading to Windows 10

How to update Windows 10 is clear. However, a couple of questions remain. The first is which version to install - Professional or Home. It all depends on the operating system that was originally installed on your computer. For example, if you used the home version of the seven, then in this case you will receive the corresponding build of Windows 10.

In addition, many users are interested in what will happen to the data that is contained on the computer. Should they be removed? Do I need to do backup in the cloud or transfer valuable information to a USB flash drive? No, during the upgrade to Windows 10, user data is not deleted. The disk is formatted only during installation via BIOS. If you use a special assistant from Microsoft to update, then Windows 10 is installed over the existing OS.

Custom builds of Windows 10

In the open spaces World wide web you can find the so-called custom builds of Windows 10. What is it and what is it eaten with? Advanced users with programming skills take the original operating system and modify it source... Thus, users can add their own icons, images and even functions to the OS.

However, you should never download custom assemblies. Operating room design Windows systems engaged by hundreds of professional programmers. Custom assemblies are usually created by one person in a short amount of time. Accordingly, such operating systems cannot boast of stability. Custom assemblies constantly freeze and crash.

And this is the most harmless thing that can happen when loading custom assemblies. It is much worse if a professional hacker was involved in the modification of the original OS. As a rule, such characters install small utilities into the operating system that are designed to steal user data. Therefore, if you use unofficial assemblies, be prepared for the fact that unauthorized people can gain access to your passwords, payment information and even your webcam.

How to update Windows 7

You are quite satisfied with the old seven and you do not want to switch to new version Windows? In this case, you shouldn't neglect updates anyway. They improve the functionality of the system and increase the performance of the computer. Not only that, the updates close holes in the operating system that hackers can use to get their hands on user information.

It is not necessary to update the seven anywhere. After downloading updates from unverified sites, you run the risk of infecting your computer dangerous viruses that are capable of causing enormous harm to the OS. It is best to download updates through Windows Update. This is done very simply:

Official updates are divided into two types: important and optional. The former are designed to improve the security of your computer. It is these updates that fix major bugs and close holes in the system. Therefore, they must be installed first. Optional updates are intended to improve system software and drivers. As a rule, such updates do not significantly affect the operation of the PC (at best, they will slightly increase performance). Therefore, they can be neglected.

When should you install optional updates? This should be done in two cases. The first is if your old drivers or system applications do not work correctly. The second is if the developers have released new functionality for their product (for example, support for additional languages, etc.).

Conclusion

The promotion in which Microsoft gave away its new operating system has ended more than a year ago. Despite this, you can still find legal ways that allow you to install Windows 10 for free. If you find a custom assembly of Windows 10, then in no case install it on your computer. Download the OS and all updates only from official manufacturers. Otherwise, you risk turning your computer into a breeding ground for malware.

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