29 April 2009

Updates and “patches” for Windows systems

 

Keeping computer software up to date is critical for security.  Medical Information Technology has recently upgraded the system that allows us to automatically update and “patch” the software on medical campus Windows computers.  

 

Note that these automatic updates are performed by Medical IT only for your workplace computer.  If you have a Windows computer at home, you need to be sure it is updated at appropriate intervals.  See the last question and answer below for information about at-home updating.

 

What will I notice about the new process?

 

You will see a new set of icons and messages on your computer when updates are in progress.  Pictures of those are below.  In this age of pop-ups, spyware, and viruses, we want to make sure you know that what you see on your screen is not a sign that something is wrong.

 

Will updating interrupt my use of the computer?

 

Generally, updates occur without any need for action by you and won’t interrupt your use of the computer.  However, sometimes a re-start (re-boot) of your computer is required to complete the process.  The new updating system allows you to defer the re-start, but eventually a re-start will be forced.  

 

WARNING:  If you have a Windows system that cannot have its operation interrupted by a forced re-start – e.g., because it controls a special process or piece of equipment – it is critical that you contact Medical Information Technology so we can put that computer in a special update category.

 

How does the process work? 

 

Your medical campus Windows computer will automatically download and install updates at pre-set intervals.  During this updating process, you will see a small icon with a green arrow in your system tray (that’s the ribbon at the bottom right of the screen). 

 

If the installed updates do not require a restart, the “green arrow” icon above will disappear from the system tray.

 

What if a restart is needed for an update to take effect?

 

If a restart is needed, you will see a message in your system tray indicating that a “system restart is required” and the icon will change so it has a red arrow.

 

Double clicking the “red arrow” icon will open the Configuration Manager window.  If you wish, you can click the Restart Now button in that window to restart your computer.

 

 

What if I want to defer the re-start?

 

If you close the Configuration Manager window, and do not restart your computer, you will periodically see a countdown window informing you how long you have before your computer is automatically restarted. You can click the Restart Now button at any time if you wish to restart your computer. Or click the Close button to defer the re-start and close the message.

  

What happens then?

 

If you close the countdown window, you will then see the following message and icon in your system tray. The message will reappear periodically with an updated countdown time before your computer restarts.

 

 

How long can I defer a re-start?

 

You can delay a re-start for up to 23 hours.  Thirty minutes before that time limit (at 22.5 hours), you will see the countdown window again.  You will be unable to close this window.  At this point, you should save your work before the timer reaches zero and your computer restarts.

 

 

What about updates for my personal Windows computer at home?

 

We only take care of campus workplace Windows computers.  You should run Windows Updates from your computer at home on at least a monthly basis.  To do this, open the Internet Explorer browser, click on Tools and then Windows Update.  This will direct your browser to the Windows Update web page at http://update.microsoft.com.  Follow the instructions there. 

 

You can also set Windows Update to run automatically for your home computer.  See the article in the More Information section below.

 

More information