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How Do I Keep Win 2000 Current?

Q: How do I keep Windows 2000 current?

A: Windows without a bagful of bugs just wouldn't be Windows, now would it? If you want to keep Windows 2000 operating at maximum efficiency, you need to stay on top of bug fixes, patches, plugs for the inevitable security holes, and other OS tchotchkes. That's where Windows Update comes into play.

Select Windows Update from the Start menu or use your browser to go directly to the Windows Update site. (Unless you've customized Start, Windows Update should top the menu.) An ActiveX component loads, scans your PC, determines which updates you need, and then displays a list customized to your computer. The Critical Updates category is, of course, the most important; generally these are security fixes or massive service pack updates.

Don't blindly take Microsoft's advice to install a bunch of stuff, however: Before you download anything, click the "Read this first" link at the end of the download's description for more information about why you should install a file, how much disk space it requires, and how to uninstall it (if that's even possible).

Once you check the items you want to retrieve and click the Download button, Windows Update takes care of the rest. It automatically downloads and installs each component, then informs you when to restart the PC (if necessary).

You should regularly return to Windows Update to check for new downloads; once a month is ideal. Sometimes a critical download depends on another one being installed first, so you should always revisit the page right after you install a patch to make sure you've got everything you need. Busy users can turn over part of that chore to Windows Critical Update Notification (currently at version 3.0), a tiny utility available from the Windows Update site that notifies you of every addition to the Critical Updates category no later than 24 hours after it's posted on the site.

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