Checking for Software Updates

One of the best computing practices you can develop is checking all software installed on your machine for updates. Multiple security vulnerabilities exist on almost every outdated version of software.

The table below lists software typically installed on DoE machines and recent revision levels for each. The instructions below are for updates on Apple OS-X and Windows (XP, Vista and 7) machines. Be certain all software is updated on all your machines both here and at your home.

Software Updates on Apple OS-X 10.4 and Higher

Note: Tech Services does NOT recommended running any OS-X system below 10.5 (Leopard). Only OS-X 10.5 and above are currently supported by Apple. If your OS-X is below 10.5, consider an update to Leopard or getting a new machine asap. Also note that Apple no longer supports any Power PC (PPC) hardware.

To check for system Software Updates on Apple OS-X 10.5 and higher, click on the Apple icon at the top left of the screen and click on “Software Update…” The Software Update program will scan your machine for new updates and present you a list of all updates it finds which you need. You may see any combination of Software Updates listed for your machine.

Whatever software updates are found for your machine, select them all! Then click on the "Install” button. If you are asked to Authenticate, do so using your normal Name: and Password:. Accept all software license agreements if you are asked. Do NOT interrupt the machine once the update begins. Let it finish completely. Software Updates can easily take 5-10 minutes or more to complete.

Most Software Updates will require a machine reboot after installation. You will generally be presented with a popup window telling you “Click on the Restart… option to reboot your machine.” Do so. Tech Services recommends you restart your machine after any and every Software Update whether it asks or not. It is a good computing practice.

After rebooting your machine, login and go back and check for Software Updates again. Continue this process until you are specifically told your software is up to date.

After OS-X is updated, you must update any third party software installed on your machine. Examples include Microsoft Office, Firefox, Flash Player, Acrobat, Dreamweaver, Oracle Calendar, Flip4Mac, VLC Player, RealPlayer, Thunderbird, Skype, Camtasia, Cisco VPN, Sophos, Norton, McAfee. Each of these applications has their own "check for updates" menu option somewhere. Browse to the web site for each application to learn how to update it, or contact Technical Services.

The most important part of this procedure is to always reboot your machine after every update, whether the update asks you to reboot or not. And after you reboot your machine, go back and repeat the process of checking for updates until you are specifically told there are no more to do.

Software Updates on Windows XP

On your Windows XP machines, start the Internet Explorer browser. Click on the Tools drop-down menu bar and click on the “Windows Update” option. Let it scan your machine. If you are asked to update to Windows Update, do so. Install the Active X control and then Check for Updates.

Click on the Custom button when presented (NOT THE EXPRESS BUTTON!!!). Select all the updates, group by group, and do them all. We suggest you reboot your machine after every update whether it asks you to do so or not.

After rebooting, go back and repeat the above procedure to check again for any further updates. Keep doing this after each update round until doing the Windows Update via the Custom button specifically tells you there are no more (0) updates left to do on your machine in every category.

Software Updates on Windows Vista/7

Click on the Start button (often referred to as the "flag", "orb", or "Windows Button") and then begin to type "Windows Update". Before you finish typing it should find the Windows Update program. Select the Windows Update line and hit return/enter.

Once in the Windows Update window, click on "Check for updates" near the top left of the screen. After it has checked, if you are notified of updates, do them. Make sure to do the Important Updates immediately. If there are optional ones, click on the "View available updates" link near the upper right. Decide which optional updates you want and do them.

It is again suggested that you reboot your machine after every update cycle whether it asks you to do so or not. After rebooting, go back and repeat the above procedure to check again for any further updates. Keep doing this after each update round until doing the Windows Update screen specifically tells you there are no more updates left to do, or only optional ones you do not want.

Third-Party Software Updates on Windows

After Windows Xp/Vista/7 is updated, you must update any third party software installed on your machine. Examples include Firefox, Flash Player, Acrobat, Dreamweaver, Oracle Calendar, QuickTime Payer, iTunes, VLC Player, RealPlayer, Thunderbird, Skype, Camtasia, Cisco VPN, Sophos, Norton, McAfee. Each of these applications has their own "check for updates" menu option somewhere. Browse to the web site for each application to learn how to update it, or contact Technical Services.

The most important part of this procedure is to always reboot your machine after every update, whether the update asks you to reboot or not. And after you reboot your machine, go back and repeat the process of checking for updates until you are specifically told there are no more to do.

Help with Software Updates

If for ANY REASON you cannot complete any software update on your Department of Education machine, please contact Technical Services. One of the Technical Services team members will assist you as soon as possible.

Please tell all your family, friends, neighbors, students, colleagues and everyone else you know to do updates on their machines. It is a very, very good practice to do all software updates on all machines as soon as they become available.