Any personal computer or laptop includes two main components: software and hardware. One of the most important software systems used in computer technology is the operating system, it is in its environment that all other applications are executed. Conventionally, we can assume that it is the soul of a computer that binds all components together. To meet rapidly changing standards and software requirements, it is imperative to periodically update the operating system.
Surprisingly, the term “operating system” hides something more than one simple program. In fact, this is a collection of diverse applications, united by a common interface. For example, the user wants to view pages on the Internet - Internet Explorer is at his service; you need to quickly assemble a small video clip from several images - Windows Movie Maker is always at hand; Well, Windows Media Player will help you watch your favorite movie and listen to mp3 composition. To be honest, the capabilities of the operating system are not at all limited to the listed examples - they are much more extensive. Hereinafter, the well-known Windows system from Microsoft is considered as being more widespread in comparison with its counterparts (Linux).
Updating the operating system means launching a specialized application on the computer whose task is to replace any part of the operating system with a new or revised version. This operation is completely “transparent” to the user - the update automatically finds and replaces the desired program. It is worth noting that often the programs themselves are not updated, but only their components. For example, if a developer discovered flaws in Internet Explorer that reduce reliability and stability or allow an attacker-hacker to perform malicious actions, only those files that are responsible for this vulnerability are updated.
Any user of the windows operating system has the opportunity to update windows through a few simple steps. To do this, just select "Control Panel" in the "Start" menu, and in the window that opens, launch the "Update Center" icon. To update windows in this way, you need to take care of a working Internet connection. The wizard will connect to distant Microsoft servers and request updates for your version of windows. If they are found, then the user is prompted to update windows. Sometimes the total update volume exceeds several hundred megabytes, which is quite a lot, especially for slow 3G and GPRS connections, as well as for megabyte pay traffic. In this case, the update wizard allows you to very flexibly configure the desired amount of downloaded data: the prompt system will prudently indicate priority and minor updates. Anyone who does not forget to update windows can be sure that the operating system of his computer contains the latest components and works optimally.
Owners of outdated models of some computer components (printers, scanners, sound cards), using the Windows Update Center, get the opportunity to breathe a second life into them by downloading and installing the appropriate drivers. Very often this is the only way to run an obsolete device on a new operating system. Also, for new devices there is no need to search for new drivers on various sites, because many of them are already contained in the proposed set of updates.
The built-in update mechanism of the windows operating system is Microsoft's next step towards the reliability and usability of its software product.