Things You'll Need:
- Genuine Microsoft product keys
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Step 1
Click on the "Start" menu, then "Internet Explorer" in an XP or Vista system, for example. As an alternative, click on the "Internet Explorer" desktop icon, if available. Type "http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate" in the address bar, then hit "Enter."
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Step 2
Install the ActiveX control, if prompted. Right-click the information bar located below the address bar. Select "Install ActiveX Control" from the pop-up menu. Click "Install" in the Security Warning dialog box.
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Step 3
Click "Turn it on now" when the "Change your Automatic Updates setting" prompt appears. Select "Every day" under "Install new updates." This will give Microsoft permission to automatically check each day to see if any updates are available for your computer.
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Step 4
Click the "Check for Updates" button, then "Run Microsoft Update," and then select "Express" to install updates for both Windows and Microsoft Office, for example. Microsoft will initiate a complete scan of your computer, including verifying that your Microsoft product keys are genuine.
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Step 5
Click "Install Updates" to install the complete list of available updates. If "No high-priority updates for your computer are available" appears, your system is already up-to-date. Reboot your computer if prompted.
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Step 6
Mac users can go under the Apple icon in the upper left-hand corner of their computer screen and click on the pulldown item "Software Update." A window will open and check online to see if there are new versions of Microsoft products such as the Office suite. If there are new versions, the window will report "new software is available for your computer." Click the "install" button and restart your computer if prompted.
