You do not have to be connected to the Internet for Windows to install new updates. But updates must be installed, not just downloaded, before they can help protect your computer. If you use the Automatic (recommended) setting, new updates are installed at 3 A.M. However, you can change the time or frequency of scheduled updates to best suit your needs.
If your computer is turned off during a scheduled update, updates are installed the next time you start your computer. You can also choose to have Windows notify you when new updates are available, and then install them yourself.
You might be asked to accept an End User License Agreement (EULA) before certain updates can be installed. Other updates might require you to restart your computer before the installation process can be completed. If you are an administrator for your computer, you can delay the restart. Otherwise, Windows notifies you and then restarts your computer for you so the updates can begin to help protect your computer. It is always a good idea to save your work frequently, and to remind other users of your computer to save their work, especially before scheduled installation times.
Note
- Installing updates before you shut down your computer is another way to keep your computer up to date and more secure. This option is available only in Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2), Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 (SP1), or an x64-based version of a Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP operating system and only if important updates have been downloaded but not yet installed. Do not turn off or unplug your computer while updates are installing. Windows will automatically turn off your computer after the updates are installed.