Windows XP Control Panel - Automatic updates

Everyone needs automatic updates, regardless of what version of Windows you have. The Windows automatic updates keep your computer up to the challenge of dealing with the constant improvements in technology. Automatic updates usually have security upgrades, bug fixes, and more.

Even though they are called Windows automatic updates, they do not always have to be automatic. You are still in control of your own computer and can change the settings for these Windows updates.

How to find the Windows Automatic Update settings:

1. Go to the start menu, choose control panel from the menu.
2. Now double click on the system icon.
3. Go to the Automatic Updates Tab.

OR...

1. Go to the start menu, choose control panel from the menu.
2. Now double click on the security icon.
3. Go to the Automatic Updates section.

What settings can you choose from on the Automatic Updates Window?

1. Automatically download updates for my computer and install them
2. Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them
3. Notify me but do not automatically download or install them
4. Turn off automatic updates

Watch this video showing you where to find the Windows automatic updates. It will also explain a bit more about the choices you can make.

See more Windows XP Tips

How to Format your spare harddrive or usb flash drive in Windows

If you have a second hard drive installed in to your computer, an external hard drive, or a usb flash drive, they are all formatted the same way. It is very handy to have a spare hard drive for storage purposes, but any hard drive ends up cluttered and slow. Formatting your spare hard drive will refresh its performance and make it as new again.

You can go to my computer and right click on any drive and select format from the menu. Of course you cannot do this with C: drive because you are actually using it.

Just remember that when you format your spare hard drive all of your files will be lost and they will not be just sitting in the trash bin.. They will be completely cleared from the hard drive or even the usb drive.

Watch this video tutorial on how to format your spare hard drive or usb flash drive.

What is an External Hard drive

What is a Usb Flash Drive

Windows XP Control panel - Add or remove programs

Some people don't realize that you have to use Add or remove programs in the control panel to remove programs from your computer safely. And if you do not do it properly you are left with bits of files all the computer, which soon cluuters up your computer and slows it down.

To use the Windows Add or remove program feature is very easy, but make sure you know what program you are removing. You do not want to remove your virus checker or firewall program by accident.

How do you find the Add or Remove feature in the control panel?

1. Go to the start menu at the bottom left corner.
2. Choose control panel from the menu.
3. Double click on the Add or Remove Programs icon.
4. Now choose the program that you want to remove. Make it blue by selecting it.
5. Then press the remove button.

For more information you can also watch this video tutorial below.

For more information you can also see an article with screenshots on how to Add or Remove programs.

How to set up an email account in Outlook Express

When you start Outlook Express and there is no email account already set up then the wizard will automatically start. If there is already an account setup and you want to add another then this is what you do:

1. Open Outlook Express
2. Go to the tools menu at the top
3. Choose Accounts from the tools menu
4. To add an account choose Add
5. Then choose mail (for mail account)

Before you set up your email account in Outlook Express, you will need to know a few things first:

1. Your email address.
2. Your username. This is your username for your internet service provider. Sometimes it can be your email address that they provide with internet connection.
3. Your password. This will be a password for the above account.
4. Incoming mail server. This will be provided by your internet service. For example: mail.bigpond.com
5. Outgoing mail server. Sometimes this is the same as the incoming mail server.

Watch the video below to see how to set up an email account in Outlook.

How to attach a picture to an Oulook Express Email

I know you are probably thinking that it is so easy to attach a picture to an email, and why would you need a video to show you? Well believe it or not, I have had so many requests for this video, and here it is. Now you will be able to send that picture of your new dog to your aunty Edna. Just press play and you will see how to attach a picture to an Outlook Express email.



Notes:

1. You can attach more than one picture to an email.
2. Press the Attach icon for every picture you want to attach.
3. Sending pictures and recieving them can contribute to your upload and download internet limit.

How to show your Network connection icon in the windows XP taskbar

The Network connections icon will let you know if you have low connectivity, an Ip address conflict, or even if you have no internet connection at all. This is exactly why you need to be able to see it in your Windows XP taskbar. When you enable it, the network connections icon will appear in the right hand corner under the time.

How to show your Network connection icon in the taskbar

1. Go to the start menu and choose control panel.
2. Then double click on the Network Connections icon.
3. Now choose your internet connection adapter. I am using LAN ( Local Area Connection) which is with a Ethernet cable. Yours may be a wireless adapter.
4. Right Click on your connection and choose properties from the menu.
5. On the general tab of the Local Area connection properties there is a box that says Show icon in notification area when connected. Tick this box to show the network connections icon in the taskbar.
6. Thats it!

There is an easier way to learn how to see your network connection icon.. Simply watch the video tutorial below.