Types of Updates

During the Windows 7 installation process, your computer is automatically configured to install updates. (If you upgraded to Windows 7 from a previous version of Windows, Windows Update retains your previous settings.) Updates are classified as follows:

• Important updates These increase the security or reliability of the operating system and Microsoft software products.
• Recommended updates These address non-critical problems, and help enhance your computing experience.
• Optional updates These do not address specific Microsoft software problems. They might include software add-ons or drivers for third-party hardware.

With the default settings, Windows Update collects the version numbers of your operating system, Web browser, and other installed software, as well as information about the hardware devices that are connected to your computer, at 3:00 each morning. It then proactively contacts the Microsoft Update site, compiles a list of updates that are available for your system, downloads any available Important or Recommended updates for Windows and Windows programs (even for Windows Update itself), and installs them.

Tip When the update process is complete, Windows Update discards the version and ID information that it collected from your computer.