Enable Automatic Windows Update on Windows Vista
Step 1: Click Start > Control Panel

>>>>>>>>>>>>> Step 2: Choose Check for Updates under Security

Step 2: (Possible alternate screen SKIP THIS STEP if you used the screen above) Scroll down if necessary and choose the Windows Update

Step 3: Choose Change Settings on the left

Step 4: Choose Install updates automatically (recommended)
Note about strategy and time. The strategy in using the Automatic setting is to ensure that the updates get downloaded and installed. If you choose any other option the process is not fully automatic and more often than not the installations of the updates do not happen. The time you choose should be a time of day that your computer is usually on. If you turn your computer off every night then choosing 1:00AM would not allow updates.
Here are a couple suggestions on time:
You want the updates to apply when you are away but your computer is on so:
1. Set the update time to 1:00AM. Close all your programs and leave your computer on one night per week and then restart the computer in the morning. This will allow your updates to apply while you are away and you can be sure that the updates do not interfere with any of your open programs.
2. Set the update time to 1:00PM. Turn your computer on in the morning one day a week in the morning leaving all your programs closed, when you arrive home from school or work restart your computer.

