Update the entire system. How to install any Windows updates manually. How long do they take to install and how much do updates cost?

Quite often, many users wonder how to update Windows 7 for free and not incur trouble. Today we will just discuss this topic. In addition, we will also figure out what pitfalls can occur and how to get around them.

Data security

The first thing to do before updating Windows 7 is to properly prepare. What do you need for this?

First of all, if you have already used your computer, it is best to prepare some kind of weighty drive, on which you can later upload all your personal and important data. The thing is that while working with operating systems, various failures occur, the consequence of which is, as a rule, a complete reinstallation. Nobody wants to lose their data. So it's better to play it safe once again before updating the version of Windows 7 to a newer one.

It would be nice to stock up just in case and a reinstallation disk with the operating system. This will help reduce your time and effort costs if a fatal error occurs in the course of work that can ruin the system. Nobody is immune from this. Now that you have the disk and all the data moved to a safe place, there are a few more things you need to know before starting the updates. What exactly?

Collecting Information About Your Computer

There are a few more points that you need to know in order to answer how to update Windows 7. Its maximum version requires quite impressive computer resources. This means that your computer must meet all the system requirements that this or that "axis" puts forward.

To do this, your best bet is to look up information on the Internet. And information about the computer can be viewed in the "My Computer" section. Usually people are aware of what "systems" their computers have. So, if you are thinking about how to update Windows 7 (professional or any other), then compare how your computer matches your own ideas. If everything is in order here, then you can think about what to do next. There is very little left before the process itself.

Looking for updates

Now let's see how to update Windows 7. The initial preparation has already passed, it's time to think about where to get all the necessary update files. There are several options for the development of events. Let's look at both of them in order.

We will start with the most difficult way - searching for updates on the Internet. The search engine will help you with this. True, such manipulations can sometimes suffer a crushing fiasco, since under the guise of updates various viruses and spies can be hidden that infect the operating system, after which they begin to destroy it. Not the most pleasant outcome.

So be careful when searching. It is best to use the official Microsoft website for these needs. All files on it are already checked for viruses. So you can be sure of quality and reliability. Searching for updates on the Internet is one of the options for updating Windows 7. But there is another, simpler method.

Automation

With Windows 7, Microsoft has taken care to provide its operating systems with all possible updates and still let people choose whether to install them or not. The so-called "Update Center" helps with this. Just he will help answer how to update "Windows 7".

With this program, if it can be called such, each user has an excellent opportunity to see what updates are now available for his system, and then choose which ones to download and install. All this is done automatically, quickly and free of charge. However, not everyone uses this method.

If you decide to update the operating system using the update center, first check all available updates. To do this, there is a corresponding button in the service itself. You need the Internet to work.

When the process comes to an end, the operating system will tell you which updates and how many have been found. This helps the user not get confused and start downloading something that he does not need at all (for example, an Arabic language pack). All that remains to be done is to mark the required update and download it. After that, it will already be possible to talk about the process of updating the operating system itself.

Caution won't hurt

But be careful. Before updating Windows 7, carefully watch what you download. As mentioned above, you can run into a computer virus. The consequence of this may be a complete loss of all data and access to the system as a whole. There are such "worms" and "trojans" that begin to send your personal data that you enter to their owner.

We are talking about passwords and accounts. So, instead of the long-awaited update, you will lose all your data, and even ruin your computer. Usually this situation occurs when you search for updates on your own on the Internet. So it is highly recommended to use the Windows Update Center. But even here one must be very careful.

The thing is that you can stumble upon an update file that checks the system for authenticity. And now, as you know, many use hacked versions. So don't check anything that starts with "K" in the list of available updates. For example, K2065845. So, if you download a check-update, you will get problems instead of an update. When you are completely ready, it's time to reinstall.

How to update

It doesn't matter which method you use. The main thing is that your update is already on the computer and waiting for you to start the process. Run the update file. You will see a window that resembles a regular reinstaller. Read everything that is written in the box. Now click "Next". Eventually, once your computer has been shown to be eligible, the update process will begin. It will complete automatically, after which the computer must be restarted. After that, everything will end. You can rejoice in your success.

Owners of devices that run on the Android operating system can count on updating their software version. For this purpose, manufacturers install special programs that help to accomplish this. Before you update "Android", as a rule, you receive a notification that a new version of the software has been released and an update is available. The user himself decides whether to install a new package or not. But, as practice has shown, new improvements justify themselves. Developers are always trying to fix past shortcomings and offer to solve them with new system options.

Do not be afraid that the new version can greatly harm the device, as the companies that release updates value their reputation the most. The main thing is to install the application correctly and, just in case, copy the data that is important.

Is it worth upgrading?

Many users are skeptical about new software releases and think that if the device is already working fine, then why update it further. But this is true only for those who do not widely use the capabilities of the device. If the user frequently uses applications and downloads new programs for this, then the update will help maintain the latest versions of products. As a rule, all developers of additional programs follow the updates of operating systems and make their products for them.

Timely updating allows you to be sure that any program will start and work correctly on a smartphone or tablet.

Upgrade Benefits

To get more benefits in the operation of the device, you need to know how to update the system on Android. This will improve performance and eliminate errors. There may also be new features that the developers have integrated into the new version. In addition, usability can be improved by optimizing older features to work more correctly.

It is also worth noting the update of the appearance, which can be changed according to the user's personal preferences. Along with the firmware, it is often possible to download new update packages for menus, desktops, and other frequently used functions.

Preparing for the upgrade

Before updating Android, you need to download the necessary data package from the official supplier. Please note that during the installation of the update, most device functions will be unavailable for at least 30 minutes. This is warned by the application that installs the software. Also, before installation, you can read the model of the device for which the package was made, and make sure that it is really suitable for the user.

Sometimes a new firmware is already available for download, but the notification does not arrive on the device. In this case, you can download the new version to your computer and copy it to your device.

Conclusion

So, how to update the Android firmware? Before you need to download the update from the official website or use the built-in program. Next, you need to run the file and wait until all the steps have passed. In order not to lose personal data, you need to save it to another device before the update process.

If an unlicensed version is used as the operating system, then you need to find an update for this particular variant, otherwise it may fail. As a rule, such firmware should be searched on the official websites of the manufacturers of the device that needs a system update.

Together with the update, the subscriber receives full support for all modern programs and functions that are used in devices. He will also have access to all the fixes in the code that the developers have made. Since programmers are always trying to maximize performance, you can count on faster operation of the device as a whole after the update.

Most software updates are automatic by default. But still, you should know how to check for updates and update the program yourself. By keeping your computer software up to date, you improve the stability and security of your computer.

Operating system update

Installing the latest operating system updates is one of the most important steps in protecting your computer from viruses, malware, and other online security threats.

Windows

To update Windows OS, open the Control Panel. Type in the search bar update and select Check for Updates.

Installing can take significantly longer than searching for updates, so you can take a break from your computer and have a cup of coffee during this time. Once the installation is complete, you must restart your computer for the updates to take effect.

Mac OS X

To update Mac OS X, open the App Store and click the Updates button on the top bar. OS X updates will be at the top of the list of available updates. On the right side of the screen are buttons to update individual apps and an Update All button to apply all available updates.

Software update

For many programs, regular updates are not that important, as they will only bring some improvements or new features, but not security improvements, so there is no need to update them frequently. However, for more essential software such as a web browser or antivirus software, updates are just as important as operating system updates.

Most programs automatically check for updates. If there are updates, the program will notify you about it. Well, for other programs, study the program menu yourself and find out how to start the update.

For example, Kaspersky Anti-Virus: you can start the update in the control center.

A Windows Service Pack is a large collection of patches and security enhancements for an operating system. In the case of Windows, there are 3 versions: sp1, sp2 and sp3. It is strongly recommended to use the latest one - it is the most stable and secure, it supports many even modern applications. If you still have sp2 or sp1 installed, you can download all necessary updates for Windows XP to get the sp3 version.

How to check the current version

First, users need to find out which version of the Windows XP operating system is currently installed. This can be done using the computer properties panel:

If sp2 or sp1 is installed, follow the instructions below.

Windows XP Update

The easiest way is automatic updates. The computer will automatically download all the necessary packages and install them in the background without interfering with your work. If auto-update was active, Windows XP would have already installed sp3. Since this did not happen, you need to enable this function (at least for a while):

Now you just have to wait until all the necessary packages are downloaded from the Microsoft server and installed on your PC. In case you encounter any problems and nothing works, try the alternative described below.

Download the update package from the Microsoft website

You can also download all necessary files from Microsoft servers and install them manually. Despite the fact that support for Windows XP has already ended, all the necessary packages are available on the official website in the public domain:

After these steps, the sp3 package will be downloaded to your personal computer.

Instruction

The Windows operating system is not sufficiently reliable in terms of security, new vulnerabilities are discovered in it almost every week. As soon as information about a vulnerability becomes known to the hacker community, the number of computers infected with viruses or hacked begins to grow very rapidly - until Microsoft employees release an update that closes the discovered gap. That is why it is important to configure the operating system to automatically update - in this case, the elimination of vulnerabilities will occur most quickly.

To enable automatic updates in OS Windows XP, open: "Start - Control Panel - Automatic Updates". In the window that opens, select the "Automatic" option.

If you are using the Windows 7 operating system, open: "Start - Control Panel - Windows Update". Select "Settings" from the menu on the left and set the required options.

Keep in mind that automatic updates are guaranteed to work without problems only on a licensed version of Windows. In the event that you are using a pirated version, an attempt to update the system may result in the update being installed, and a message will appear on the desktop stating that you have an unlicensed version of the operating system installed.

If you have to use a pirated version of Windows 7, update the system manually. Review the list of updates prepared for installation - if it contains update KB971033, cancel the installation of this file. It is he who checks the license key of the operating system. Install all other update files and replace your OS with a licensed version as soon as possible, this will save you a lot of problems and hassle.

You can update Windows using separately downloaded update packages, they can be found on the Internet. Such packages can be installed automatically or manually. Be careful not to download update packages from unverified sites - very often such packages contain Trojans.

If you have an old version of the OS - for example, Windows XP SP2, update it by installing the Windows XP SP3 operating system on top of the old one. The process of such an update is very simple: turn on the computer, wait for the operating system to load. Insert the installation disc into the drive, select Install Windows from the menu. In the window that appears, select the option "Update (recommended)". During the installation process, you will be asked to enter the installation key. When installing in update mode, all your programs and system settings will be saved.