›› Automatic Updates

The Automatic Updates service allows the most recent high-priority updates from Microsoft to be downloaded and installed to your computer. If this service is set to Automatic, Windows will routinely check the Windows Update website for new updates and automatically install them for you according to your settings. If this service is stopped or disabled, you will need to manually update your computer by visiting the Windows Update website.

By enabling this service, Windows downloads and installs high-priority updates like critical updates, security updates, service packs, drivers, and other enhancements from Microsoft. It is important to note that non-critical fixes for hardware and software are not updated through this service. In order to update these components, it is necessary to visit the Windows Update website.

You may be wondering how the Automatic Updates service is able to communicate with Microsoft about which updates your computer needs. The whole process begins when you connect to the Internet. Once you are online, Windows is able to send information about how your computer is configured to the Windows Update website, which, in turn, determines which updates your computer is lacking. Updates are then downloaded behind the scenes, using the Background Intelligent Transfer Service, and installed onto your computer according to your settings. It is important to note that updates must be both downloaded and installed for them to take effect.

Overall, whether or not you decide to use this service and set it to Automatic or Disabled is a matter of personal choice. There seem to be two differing mentalities regarding the Automatic Updates service. One mentality thinks that it is better to keep this service set to Automatic because of the convenience associated with not having to do any of the work of checking for new updates online and the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing that your computer is always secure with all the latest critical updates. On the other hand, the other mentality thinks that this service should be Disabled because it is better for you to have control over your computer's updates than Microsoft. People with this mentality typically prefer to update their computers manually since, they argue, that some of Microsoft's updates are not safe and are not necessary. Whatever you decide to do, it is your personal decision as to what is right for you and your computer.

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