Installation of Service Packs

There is a variety of ways to install a service pack, as presented in the following list:

• Windows Automatic Updates-If your computer was set up to automatically download important updates, and you spend enough time connected to the Internet, a service pack will be downloaded automatically. All of the required service pack files will have already been downloaded by the time you get the notification to install them.
• Windows Manual Update-If the automatic updates feature is not enabled, you can install a service pack from the Windows Update window. Windows Update will download from Microsoft just those service pack components needed for your computer, saving some download time over the "standalone" method. However, if you have more than a few computers to update, you'll save time by using the standalone method.
• Standalone-The standalone method is the traditional service pack format. It's a compressed file that contains all of the updated files. If you have multiple computers to update, and Internet access is difficult or slow, perhaps the standalone method is the one to use.

Before installation of a service pack, follow these guidelines:

• If you use Fast User Switching, be sure all users are logged off. Then, log on as an Administrator. Close any running applications.
• We recommend you perform a full backup of the files you keep on your computer using Backup and Restore.
• Check the websites of the manufacturers of your computer, your application software, and your antispyware and antivirus packages for updates or special instructions regarding the service pack. Some programs may need to be updated to work with the new service pack. For a list of programs with known compatibility issues with Windows 7 service packs, search the Microsoft Knowledge Base available at http://support.microsoft.com.
• If you suspect your computer may have viruses, spyware, adware, or other pestilential software, take steps to remove it before installing the service pack. These programs can cause serious networking and Internet connection problems after installation, and without a functioning Internet connection you may not be able to download the necessary clean-up tools.
• Disable any real-time virus scanners; they can slow down and possibly interfere with the installation. Disconnect from the Internet first if you do this.
• You will need free space on your hard drive for installation.

After following these suggested guidelines, you will be ready to install your service pack.