Computer Security Updates
It is recommended that your computer is set to receive security and operating system updates regularly and automatically. The instructions below explain how to do this for individual operating systems. Users of college-issued hardware may not be able to edit some of these settings. Software updates on these computers are managed by Information Technology.
Windows 11
- Click on the Windows button.
- Choose Settings (gear icon).
- Choose Windows Update.
Windows 10
- Click on the Windows button.
- Choose Settings (gear icon).
- Choose Update & Security.
You can view if your updates are paused. You can also set Windows Update to update other Microsoft products by visiting the advanced options on this page.
Windows 10 is scheduled to fall out of support from Microsoft in October 2025. This means it will no longer receive important security updates. It is recommended to upgrade to Windows 11.
macOS
- Open System Preferences (via the Dock icon or the apple menu).
- Click on Software Update.
You should make sure that “Automatically keep my Mac up-to-date” is checked. You should also click the Advanced button and make sure all check boxes are checked.
Please note that Apple generally only provides security updates for the current version of macOS and the next most recent version. If you are using an older version of macOS, it is recommended that you update.
Windows 7 and 8
Versions of Windows older than Windows 10 are no longer supported by Microsoft and will no longer receive security updates. If you have a computer running Windows 7 or 8 (or older), you should upgrade to Windows 11. This may require the purchase of new hardware.
