How to check and change your Windows Updates Settings for Win 7

This is a graphical step by step set of instruction to show you how to check your Windows Updates Setting. Works for both 32-bit and 64-bit.

Step 1) Press Windows Key (on your keyboard) or Click on the Windows Start Menu (left side of the Taskbar)

This is how the Windows Key looks like on your keyboard.

This is how the Windows Start Button looks like on your screen.

Step 2) Type Update at the box that appears at the bottom of the PopUp Box. (I placed my Task Bar on top of my screen. It usually appears on the bottom). See Orange Arrow labelled with 1.

Step 3) You will see a list of programs that appear. You will be able to see Windows Updates under Programs, among all other relevant searches. Click on Windows Updates.

Step 4) You will see a screen that shows you if you have any windows update that are outstanding. If you have been reading my posts, you will know how this is important to me. Proceed to follow the instructions on the screen. 

Just to follow through on how you should do the Windows Update, click on the number of options. The instruction will usually tell you if they are critical / important or optional. 

In my case, there are 3 optional. (Note, I took the screen shots at different times, so the number doesn't correspond to the previous picture which shows 2 ;p)

Just check the box for the updates you want and proceed to install :)

If you just want to check or approve any Windows Updates that you may have, that's it! You are done. Anyways let's go to the next step if you are interested to know how to change the settings.

Step 5) At the same screen, Click on Change Settings that appears on the left menu bar.

Step 6) You will see on the first drop-down box a few options. Click to select Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them. I choose this option because it gives you control over what you want to install. This means that you can opt out of certain Microsoft products such as Silverlight ;p There is a reason why this is not part of the original package. (At the same time, I wonder why is IE given as a package?)

Step 7) Click on the Apply and Okay Button that are on the bottom right of the screen. (picture not shown - you are smart enough to find it!)

Useful read: How to view your Windows Installed Updates for Win 7

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*Lynspirations Share and learn. Learn and share :)