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.
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.
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 8
Windows 8 has Windows Update built into the operating system. You can search for it in the Search option in the Side Menu, accessed by dragging the mouse to the lower right-hand corner or the screen or, if you have a touchscreen, swiping from the right side of the screen to the left. It allows you to set a schedule for the updates. It is recommended that you set it to install updates automatically. Windows Update will also search for updates to other Microsoft applications, such as Microsoft Office. To set this up, check the boxes that say “Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates” and “Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows.”
Windows XP, Vista, and 7
Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 are no longer supported by Microsoft and will no longer be receiving security updates. It is recommended that you upgrade to Windows 10 or newer.
