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Apply Browser and Operating System Updates

With your help, TMU can minimize online threats.

When your browser or operating system (OS) prompts you to install a new version or security update, it’s a good idea to allow the installation. Updates often contain fixes for vulnerabilities that can expose you to internet worms or other attacks designed to exploit security flaws.

We recommend configuring your browser, OS and in-browser apps such as Flash and Java to install updates automatically on all your devices, including smartphones.

Automatic operating system updates

If you have administrator rights on your computer, we’ve provided instructions for setting up automatic updates for your OS:

1. Close all programs
 
2. Select  Start > Control Panel.
 
Windows Start Panel. Control Panel is highlighted on the right side of the panel.
 
3. If your Control Panel displays in  View by: Category mode, click  System and Security.
 
Control Panel window. System and Security is highlighted
 
Select  Windows Update.
 
Beneath the Windows Update heading, select "Turn automatic updating on or off"
 
Or, if your Control Panel displays in  View by: icons mode, double-click  Windows Update.
 
Windows Update is highlighted
 
4. Select  Change settings.
 
Control Panel Home. Select Change Settings on the left side of the screen
 
5. Select the option to  Install updates automatically (recommended).
 
Beneath Improtant Updates. Select "Install updates automatically" from the dropdown.
 
6. Select  OK.
 
7. Exit from Control Panel.

1. Select the Apple icon from the menu bar.

2. Select System Preferences from the menu.

3. From the System area, select Software Update.

Beneath System, Select Software Update

4. Select the checkboxes for Check for updates and Download updates automatically.

Check box for 'Check for Updates' then select your frequency. Then check the box 'Download updates automatically'

5. Close the window. This will set the system to download updates automatically and notify you when the updates are ready. When prompted you will have to allow the updates to install.

Manual operating system updates

If you prefer to update your OS manually, we’ve provided instructions for setting this up as well:

1. Close all programs
 
2. Select  Start > Control Panel.
 
Windows Start Panel. Control Panel is highlighted on the right side of the panel.
 
3. If your Control Panel displays in  View by: Category mode, click  System and Security.
 
Control Panel window. System and Security is highlighted
 
Select  Windows Update.
 
Beneath the Windows Update heading, select "Turn automatic updating on or off"
 
Or, if your Control Panel displays in  View by: icons mode, double-click  Windows Update.
 
Windows Update is highlighted
 
4. Select  Check for updates
 
"Check for updates for your compuet" warning. Select "Check for Updates."
 
5. Windows will check and display if any updates are available. Select  Install updates to proceed with the updates. 
 
Within the 'Install updates for your computer' box. Select "Install Updates."
 
6. If prompted, agree to the terms to continue. If asked to restart your computer, reboot and check if more updates are available.

1. Select the Apple icon from the menu bar.

2. Select System Preferences from the menu.

3. From the System area, select Software Update.

Beneath System, Select Software Update

4. Select Check Now. If updates are available, a list will be displayed.

Check box for 'Check for Updates' then select your frequency. Then check the box 'Download updates automatically'

5. Select Install. The system may have to restart to install certain updates.

Browser updates

Updates for first-party browsers such as Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer and Apple Safari are often included in OS updates. If your OS is configured to update automatically, so too will your first-party browser update automatically.

Third-party browsers such as Mozilla Firefox (external link) , Google Chrome (external link)  and Opera (external link) can also be configured to download and install updates automatically. You can also manually download updated versions on their respective websites.