Windows 8 : Managing Windows Update (part 1) - Accessing Windows Update settings by using Control Panel

Accessing Windows Update settings by using Control Panel

The process for configuring Windows Update in Windows 8 has not changed dramatically from the process found in earlier versions of Windows, but the new Windows 8 interface changes the method by which you access Windows Update settings. You can open Control Panel in Window 8 by using a number of methods. Control Panel is your configuration point for a computer’s local Windows Update settings.

Using the Power User menu

To access Control Panel, either press and hold or right-click the lower-left corner of the desktop to open a shortcut menu that provides access to a number of system utilities, including Control Panel. Choose Control Panel. When it opens, type Update in the search box at the upper-right corner of the window and then choose Windows Update, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Using Control Panel to access Windows Update

Using the Start screen

You can also use the new Windows 8 interface to access Control Panel in two ways. First, with the Start screen open, start typing Control Panel. As you type, Windows narrows the options that match what you’ve typed and displays the results, as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Control Panel on the Start screen

Using the Windows 8 desktop

Alternatively, from the Windows 8 desktop, access the charms by tapping one of the right-side corners of the screen or by moving your mouse pointer to one of those locations. Choose the Settings charm, tap or click Control Panel, and then open Windows Update by using the method described previously.

Regardless of your method, the goal is to open the Windows Update window, shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3. The Windows Update configuration window

The Windows Update window includes information about the current update configuration and status and links to tools to manage various configuration elements. In Figure 3, you see that this computer is currently configured to install updates automatically and that Windows looked for new updates yesterday at 10:31 P.M. If automatic updating were not enabled, the line that reads You’re Set To Automatically Receive Updates would just provide the current status of updates, such as Your PC Is Up To Date.

At the bottom of the window, note the line that reads For Windows And Other Products From Microsoft Update. Windows Update is intended to address the update needs for the Windows operating system, but it also provides update services for other installed Microsoft products such as Office. You have a single point of update administration for all your supported Microsoft products.