Windows Vista: How to update your operating system

 

Windows Vista can download and install important security and other recommended updates automatically, on a schedule that you set.

To have Windows install important updates as they become available, turn on automatic updating.

To turn on Windows automatic updating:

1.	Click the Start button, point to All Programs, and then click Windows Update.
2.	In the left pane, click Change settings.
3.	Select Install updates automatically (recommended).
4.	Under Recommended updates, select the Include recommended updates when downloading, installing, or notifying me about updates check box, and then click OK. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

March 2007 Windows Vista Application Compatibility Update

 

INTRODUCTION

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Tips for fixing common driver problems

Applies to all editions of Windows Vista.

When hardware installed in or attached to a computer doesn't work properly, it is often because of a driver problem.

Here are some common problems with drivers, and ways to solve them.

 

Optimize Windows Vista for better performance

 Applies to all editions of Windows Vista.

No matter how fast or shiny computers might be when they are new, they all seem to get slower over time. That state-of-the-art PC you bought last year might not feel like such a screamer after you install a dozen programs, load it with antispyware and antivirus tools, and download untold amounts of junk from the Internet. The slowdown might happen so gradually you hardly notice it, until one day you’re trying to open a program or file and wonder, "What happened to my poor PC?" Whatever the cause, there are a lot of ways to help speed up Windows and make your PC work better—even without upgrading your hardware. Here are some tips to help you optimize Windows Vista for faster performance.

Windows Update error 0x80240029 occurs when you try to update Windows Defender
Symptoms
When you try to update Microsoft Windows Defender on a computer, you receive an error message that resembles the following:
Error found: Code 0x80240029

This article contains step-by-step methods to try that may help you install the Windows Defender Update.

Notice

Cause

Methods to resolve the problem

Method 1: Manually install the Windows Defender Update Definitions

Method 2: Rename the SoftwareDistribution folder

Method 3: Verify that you are not experiencing Microsoft Windows Update, Automatic Updates, and Windows Server Update Service (WSUS) problems

Windows Vista

Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003

Similar problems and solutions
Notice
This article is intended for advanced computer users. If you are not comfortable with advanced troubleshooting, you might want to ask someone for help or contact support. For information about how to do this, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/contactus (http://support.microsoft.com/contactus)

Cause
The problem may occur because of one or more of the following circumstances:• You may be experiencing a Windows Update issue.
• The SoftwareDistribution folder may be corrupted

Error Code 0x80072F8F when searching for available updates on Windows Update and Microsoft Update sites
SYMPTOMS
When you search for available updates on the Microsoft Windows Update Web site, you see the 0x80072F8F error in Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, or Windows Vista.

Note The error code for Windows Vista will appear as (80072f8f)


CAUSE
This error may occur if the date and time on your computer varies too much from the valid date and time of the SSL certificates that are used by the Windows Update Web site. This causes the scan process to fail. Make sure that you verify that the time and date are accurate on your computer.

Error message when you install Windows Vista: "Your product key cannot be validated. Review your product key and make sure that you have entered it correctly"
SYMPTOMS
When you click Next after you enter a product key during the installation of Windows Vista, you receive the following error message:
Your product key cannot be validated. Review your product key and make sure that you have entered it correctly.


CAUSE
This problem occurs for one of the following reasons:• You entered an incorrect product key.
• The following conditions are true:• You installed Windows Vista by using a Windows Vista media package that does not include Windows Vista SP1. For example, you installed Windows Vista by using a media package from the release version of Windows Vista.
• You used a product key that was issued after the release of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1).

• You used a third-party program to extract the contents of a Windows Vista .iso image to a location on a hard disk drive. Then, you installed Windows Vista from the location on the hard disk drive.

Note Certain third-party compression programs do not preserve long file names during the extraction process.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem, use one or more of the following methods, as appropriate for your situation.
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Method 1: Retype the product key
The problem that is described in the "Symptoms" section may occur if you unintentionally enter an incorrect product key. To verify that you entered the correct product key, retype the product key.


Method 2: Install Windows Vista by using a copy of Windows Vista that includes Windows Vista SP1
The problem that is described in the "Symptoms" section may occur if you use a Windows Vista SP1 product key together with a media package from the release version of Windows Vista. To resolve this problem, install Windows Vista by using a copy of Windows Vista that includes Windows Vista SP1. You can order a Windows Vista DVD from the Microsoft Marketplace Web site. To do this, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/content.aspx?ctId=390 (http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/content.aspx?ctId=390)
You can also install Windows Vista by using the keyless installation method. To do this, follow these steps:1. During the installation of Windows Vista, leave the Product Key box blank, and then click Next.
2. When you receive the following message, click No:
Do you want to enter your product key now?
3. Click to select the I have selected the edition of Windows that I purchased check box that corresponds to the version of Windows Vista that you want to install, and then click Next.
4. Follow the remaining steps to install Windows Vista.
5. After Windows Vista is installed, install Windows Vista SP1 by starting Windows Update.
6. After Windows Vista SP1 is installed, enter the product key when you are prompted to activate Windows Vista.

Note You can also manually start the Windows Activation process. To do this, follow these steps:a. Click Start , right-click Computer, and then click Properties.
b. Scroll to the bottom of the Properties dialog box to verify the activation status or to activate Windows Vista.

Stop error when you try to download updates from Windows Update on a computer that is running Windows Vista: "0x80070246"

Error message when you try to install updates on a Windows Vista-based computer by using Windows Update or when you try to perform a backup: "Code 0x8007000b"

Brief Description