If you’re like most security-conscious folks using the
Internet these days, you have your Windows XP SP2’s Security Center configured
to automatically connect to the Windows Update site on a regular basis. As you know, Windows Update performs a tune up that consists of scanning your computer for outdated and vulnerable system files and replacing them with the most recent versions.

However, Windows isn’t the only thing that is vulnerable these days. You should consider switching from Windows Update to Microsoft Update due to the fact that
in addition to including updates for the Windows operating system and Internet
Explorer, Microsoft Update will also provide updates for Office and other
Microsoft applications.

Here’s how:

  1. Go to Start | Help And Support and click Keep Your Computer Up-to-date With Windows Update in the Pick a Task section.
  2. When you connect to the Windows Update site, click the Upgrade To Microsoft Update link.
  3. When
    you connect to the Microsoft Update site, click the Start Now
    button.
  4. Follow
    along with the online installation wizard, which will prompt you to review
    a license agreement, install an ActiveX control, and check for updates.
  5. When
    you connect to the Welcome to Microsoft Update page, click the Custom
    button and follow along with the online customization wizard that prompts
    you to select and install any updates to Microsoft software that you have
    just installed. (Keep in mind that Microsoft Update only focuses on high-end applications, i.e., you probably won’t find updates for Flight Simulator.)

Now, when the Security Center automatically updates your system, it will
download and install all high priority updates for any Microsoft applications
that you have installed, as well as the operating system.

Note: This tip applies
to both Windows XP Home and Professional when the latter is used in standalone
or in workgroup configurations and not part of a domain configured to get
approved updates from an internal server running Microsoft Software Update Services
(SUS).

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