Updating your software through online updates

Your computer software changes with time to better provide new features and other helpful things to make it run smoothly. But you don't need to buy new software every time it is updated. Instead, you can easily update your software online to the latest versions by downloading the updates.

Why should you update your software?
Regardless of whether you use a Mac or a PC, you will need to update your software on occasion. This gives you access to more and to newer features. For example, if you have iTunes on your computer, as many people do, updating to the latest versions will allow you to preview movies and TV shows and even rent them.

Updating your software through online updates
If you have access to the internet, you can easily update your software online. Both Mac and Windows have websites you can visit to download the most recent updates for your software and your computer.

Microsoft's website, https://www.update.microsoft.com/, allows you to update Windows and other Microsoft programs you have installed on your computer, including Microsoft office, in one place instead of visiting the different sites for each update. Detailed instructions show you how to find out which updates you need and then apply them.

After you have received instructions online for downloading software updates, you should download those updates that are considered high-priority. Once those have been downloaded and installed, then you can install the optional updates if you like.

Apple's website, https://support.apple.com/kb/HT1338, also shows you how and when you should download software updates. This site will show you what exactly you will need to update and illustrates how to run a check on your computer to see what you may need.

If you have a Mac, you can update your software online easily by going to System Preferences from the Apple menu, going to View, and then selecting Software Update. Click the Update Now button, then select the items you would like to update and install.

Automatic updates
You can also set your computer up so that it will automatically update your software as needed. This is done from the Control Panel of your PC. If you have an Apple computer, this option is found in the System Preferences tab. By setting it to automatic updates, your computer will automatically find out which updates you need, which ones are important, and then download them automatically without you having to worry about it.

Keep in mind, however, that when you choose automatic updates, your computer will be restarted every time it is updated. For people who don't shut down their computer every night, this could mean losing information or pages you have kept up if you didn't save the information. If this is a concern to you, change your settings to make it so the updates are automatic.

If you choose not to update your software automatically, you should visit the updating sites listed above regularly (once a week is recommended) in order to keep your computer running as smoothly as possible and to have access to all the most recent features.

Software updates are important. These free updates can be downloaded online and will help your computer software to operate as efficiently as possible while at the same time giving you access to the most recent and important features. The above tips will show you how you can update your software online.