You can set up Automatic Updates so that your computer will tell you when there are updates available. You can have it set so that it downloads them automatically, and even install them for you as well.

This is useful if you do not want to run Windows Update manually.

Here are some step by step instructions.

Click on Start (bottom-left corner).

Click on Control Panel.

Double-click on Automatic Updates or Security Center (it will be one or the other).

If you chose Security Center, click on Automatic Updates.

You will now have a window come up that looks like this:



If you want your computer to automatically download and install the updates so you don't have to do anything, choose the top option (Automatic).

If you choose Automatic, and your computer is switched off at the time you set, it will run the next time you switch your computer on.

The second option will let your computer download updates, but it won't install them until you say so.

The third option will let your computer tell you there are updates available, but it won't download them or install them until you say so.

The final option turns off automatic updates altogether. If you choose this option, you must remember to check for updates manually. Instructions on how to do that can be found here.