How to update Windows 7: mandatory and recommended updates

Owners of computers running the Windows operating system are well aware of Microsoft's recommendations regarding the need for updates. The fact is that the software component of the system - "Security Center", first appeared in Win Xp SP2, persistently reminds the user about a missing or disabled update. In Windows 7 and later, it was renamed to "Support Center", and the functions are extended. Upgrade of Windows 7 (maximum protection) is available to everyone. To do this, you only need to choose the most convenient method.

Before you decide how to update Windows 7, you should understand the meaning of updates. Unfortunately, it was not possible to create an ideal program so far: there are compatibility problems, unintended user actions, unoptimized code and low performance, and so on. All this is especially applicable to such a complex software system as the operating system.

The update mechanism was first implemented in Win 98. The "Start" menu had the same link, clicking on which the user came to the page of Microsoft's site, where it was offered to download various software add-ons (games, themes, drivers). Later, security fixes (patches) began to spread as well. For example, if the developers found any flaw in the system (a loophole for hackers, viruses, a bug in the code), then the update files were released, downloading and installing which the user fixed the flaws.

In Win ME, the automatic update download function was implemented with minimal user involvement, although the ability to selectively download the necessary files from the Microsoft website remained. So it was before the appearance of Win 7, where it was left only an automatic update, although with a fairly flexible configuration. It is understandable that users who are used to XP often ask: "How to update Windows 7?". Updates are divided into important (mandatory) and recommended. The first is usually to increase security, and the latter improve performance and stability. In addition, sometimes using an update is the only way to find a driver for a specific device.

So, how to update Windows 7? By default, Microsoft offers to download all available updates automatically, but you can change it: Start - Control Panel - Windows Update - Settings. If you do not change anything, then if you have an active Internet connection, you will receive a message periodically about the successful update. This is the best mode in case of fast unlimited Internet and licensing system Windows.

How to update Windows 7 with slow connection? In this case, it is more convenient to use the parameter "Search for updates, but the decision to download and install is accepted by me". This will require much less traffic and it will be possible to selectively download only the most critical updates. With such a connection, the recommended updates can not be downloaded.

It should be remembered that the size of the update files can be quite large, so if you pay per-byte it should be taken into account.

In general, the automatic update mechanism is a very convenient solution. From its use it is necessary to abstain only in two cases:

- slow and expensive connection to the network;

- A pirated "hacked" operating system is used.

Often the owners of laptops purchased with Home and Basic versions of operating systems, ask the question: "How to update Windows 7 to the maximum?". There are two ways for this:

- purchase the key (block of digits) for the Ultimate version via the Microsoft website. It's not even easy to buy, but to renew, which will be cheaper. Then install the Win 7 Ultimate distribution with the new key or run the Windows Anytime Upgrade program from the Update Center;

- Download a pirated key from the network. After using it, Windows stops being a licensed one.