Can Windows Update itself when the computer is off?  Simple Answer: NO! 

I am not leaving my computer on all night!

I bought my computer from a computer shop, shouldn’t it be updated?

A computer has many components, hardware and software, which are usually up to date when purchased. However, over time these components can require updates because we live in a changing world, and what was once secure and proven a few months ago can now be a major problem for you.

Microsoft, the company which develops the most popular and most widely used operating systems (Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 etc) has a policy of releasing software for use and subsequently making available free updates to resolve any issues that are found with that software.

Accordingly, Windows Updates are the method which is used to provide and install these updates to your software.

So updates are free, but what is an update. As I have previously said Microsoft releases updates to fix their software. Here is a basic example of where an update may occur: 

a series of new fonts may be released and to get them on your system an update is required. It is simply just a process where your computer checks for updates and downloads them as required.

The standard time for Windows XP automatic updates is: 3.00 a.m.,which is when most people are asleep! Obviously, it is expected that you will leave your computer on all the time. If the computer is off then, no updates occur. You will

need to change this setting and instructions to do this are located here.

The effect of this is that most people will never have Windows updated. What will this mean for the security of your computer, especially against virus attacks.

The simple answer is that your computer will still work, and dependant upon your internet habits there may be little impact. However, if you are an avid Internet user, and spend many hours viewing web sites the chances are quite high that you will attract the attention of viruses, simply by virtue of the time you spend connected to the internet.

Allowing your computer to be updated in this fashion is one of the easiest things you can do to ensure that your computer is working at its most efficient. Combine this with a quality anti-virus solution and you will find that you will have very little trouble in using your computer as it was intended. More importantly, it will allow you enjoy your self with the knowledge that the chances of a virus related issue are reduced significantly.