Schedule automatic updates

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Schedule automatic updates

You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group in order to complete this procedure. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings might also prevent you from completing this procedure.

  1. Open System, and then click the Automatic Updates tab.

    – or –

    If you are running Windows 2000, click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Automatic Updates.

  2. Click Automatic (recommended).

  3. Under Automatically download recommended updates for my computer and install them, set the time and day you want Windows to install updates, and then click Apply.

Notes

  • To open System, click Start, click Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System.

  • Scheduled updates are automatically installed at the scheduled time, regardless of who is logged on to the computer. If you choose to be notified before updates can be installed, you must be logged on as an administrator to get notifications and to install updates.

  • Some updates require you to restart your computer before they can take effect. Windows will notify any user who is logged on to the computer before restarting; however, only members of the local Administrators group can stop the computer from restarting. Make sure you save your work before restarting your computer and remind other users to save their work, especially before scheduled installation times.