How to Proceed Just After Installing Windows

Windows Updates
Before proceeding any further, it is now necessary to make a crucial decision regarding how you would like to download and install the Windows updates and security patches.  One may conventionally obtain their Windows updates directly from Microsoft’s website, which is rather lengthy and time consuming, or obtain the updates through third part software such as AutoPatcher ( http://www.autopatcher.com/ ), which is much easier and faster than going through Microsoft.

First, however, it is required that you verify that the Windows Firewall is on and running.  This will prevent a plethora of viruses and spyware from downloading onto your computer and wreaking havoc.  To do so, follow these instructions:

• Click on START
• Click on CONTROL PANEL (set it to display in Classic View)
• Locate SECURITY CENTER and click on it
• Click on WINDOWS FIREWALL
• Make sure "ON" is selected
• Click OKAY

Now, if you’ve decided that you want to download and install your updates through Microsoft’s website, follow these steps.

• Click on START
• Open the CONTROL PANEL (set it to display in Classic View)
• Click on AUTOMATIC UPDATES
• At this time, you may select which setting is right for you.  It is typically recommended to automatically allow XP to download and install updates as they are released, but you may select the option that suits your needs
• At the bottom of the window, click on the link to "Windows Update Website"
• When the website opens, click on CUSTOM and allow the site to scan your computer
• A list will be generated of all the updates your computer is lacking. Select all the updates, and then go through the list and remove any software packages (not security updates) that you are certain you do not need. I personally refuse to install the .NET framework, as I know I don’t need it. If you’ve used XP before, try to remember which updates and software you actually used; this will help determine whether or not you need to install them at this time.
• Click on the INSTALL link and allow the installation to proceed
• Once the installation of all the updates is complete, restart your computer.

If you decide that you would rather obtain and install the Windows updates through third party software, I recommend using AutoPatcher. ( http://www.autopatcher.com/ ).  AutoPatcher offers various downloads, ranging from an light update package with only the most crucial security patches, to a full update package that includes every XP updated released by Microsoft.  Both come packaged with various registry hacks and tweaks which I will discuss further into this guide.  Here’s how to get the Windows updates through AutoPatcher:

• Visit http://www.autopatcher.com/downloads/
• Locate the AutoPatcher XP section (in the middle of the page)
• Pick a Mirror you would like to Download from and choose which package suits your needs (Full or Lite — descriptions of both are at the bottom of the page), and wait while the file downloads.
• Run the downloaded file and proceed with installing AutoPatcher XP
• If there are Update releases following the latest Full or Lite release, you will need to download those too and install them in order of the month of release on top of the Full or Lite release. Be sure to uncheck the "run after installing" option at the end of the installation so you can install each update.
• Once finished with the installation, open AutoPatcher and agree to the terms of use
• You will be prompted with a menu in which you are to choose which updates you would like to install. It is my recommendation that you check both Critical Updates and Recommended Updates (click on the blue boxes until they become check marks). However, which updates you choose to install is entirely up to you. Do not select the Registry Tweaks and Addon sections to avoid accidentally altering a setting you don’t want to alter. If you are hesitant and unsure about how to proceed, uncheck everything except the Critical updates.
• Once you are content with the updates you have selected to install, click on UPDATE.
• After the updates have been installed, restart your computer.

For more on AutoPatcher, take a look at Alaron’s Freeware Frenzy article: http://www.pcmech.com/show/opensource/1001/

By now, whether you chose to update XP through Microsoft’s website or AutoPatcher, your computer should be up to date and dynamically more secure.

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