Enable Automatic Windows Update on Windows XP Service Pack 2
Note if you are not yet on Service Pack 2, please following instructions here to get up to date first
Step 1: Click Start > Settings > Control Panel
Step 2: Choose the Security Center
Step 2: (Possible alternate screen) Choose the Security Center
Step 3: In the Windows Security Center choose Automatic Updates
Step 4: In the Automatic Updates screen choose Automatic (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.
