Understanding updates and other recommended settings

When you set up Windows, you’ll see settings that can help make your computer more reliable and secure. After you choose your settings, you can always change them later. For more information, search for “Turn off recommended settings” in Help and Support.

Use recommended settings

Recommended settings are designed to keep your computer up to date, help make Internet browsing safer, allow error reports to be sent to Microsoft, check for solutions online when a problem occurs, and help Microsoft improve Windows.

Installing important and recommended updates:

* Windows automatic updating. Windows will automatically install important and recommended updates for your computer as Microsoft releases them. Windows will also periodically provide detailed notifications about some updates that need to be installed manually. Important updates provide significant benefits, such as improved security and reliability. Recommended updates help address non-critical problems or enhance your software.

Important updates might also be installed to maintain your software’s access to online services.

Optional updates are not downloaded or installed automatically. You can customize your update settings by going to Windows Update in Control Panel. Read more about updates online at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=143311.

* Drivers from Windows Update. Drivers enable hardware and devices (such as printers, mice, or keyboards) to work with your computer. When you install Windows, change hardware, or add a device, Windows will automatically search for drivers. If a more recent and relevant driver is available through Windows Update, then Windows will download and install that driver automatically.

For hardware and devices already installed on your computer, Windows might automatically install a driver if it fixes a serious problem present in a currently installed driver. Typically however, driver updates must be installed manually in Windows Update. They can be found in the Optional Updates list.

* Download the latest device metadata. Device metadata is extra information about your devices. When you download metadata about your devices, you’ll see the actual brand names and/or icons in Devices and Printers. That way it’s easier for you to recognize your devices.

Helping make Internet browsing safer:

* Enhanced spyware protection. Windows Defender is the antispyware program in Windows. When you use recommended settings, Windows Defender will automatically remove software that causes severe alert levels. If you have genuine Windows, it will also remove software with high alert levels. Software with these alert levels is known to either compromise your privacy or damage your computer.

Windows Defender will periodically scan your computer for spyware and potentially unwanted software. By choosing recommended settings, you join Microsoft SpyNet with a basic membership, which helps Microsoft improve anti-malware technology. Windows Defender will automatically send information to Microsoft about software it detects, including where the software came from, and actions you take or that Windows Defender takes automatically.

Windows Defender also reports if the actions were successful or not. The information helps Microsoft decide which software to investigate for potential threats and helps improve how Windows Defender works. In some instances, personal information might unintentionally be sent to Microsoft; however, Microsoft will not use this information to identify you or contact you.

* Internet Explorer SmartScreen Filter. Online phishing is a technique used to trick computer users into revealing personal or financial information through an e-mail message or website. A common online phishing scam starts with an e-mail message that appears to come from a trusted source but actually sends information you’ve provided to someone else.

SmartScreen Filter is designed to warn you about websites that contain threats to your computer or unsafe websites that are trying to appear as trusted websites. When you choose the recommended settings, the websites you visit will automatically be checked. SmartScreen Filter first checks the address of the website you are visiting against a list of high-traffic website addresses stored on your computer that Microsoft believes are legitimate. Addresses that are not on this list are sent to Microsoft and checked against a frequently updated list of websites that have been reported to Microsoft as unsafe or suspicious.

Statistics about your usage of SmartScreen Filter will also be sent to Microsoft such as the time and total number of websites browsed since an address was sent to Microsoft for analysis. Some URLs that are sent might be saved along with additional information such as web browser version, and browser language, SmartScreen Filter version, and a portion of the IP address. The portion of the IP address retained is used for analysis purposes for a limited period of time before being discarded. To help protect your privacy, information is encrypted before it is sent to Microsoft. Microsoft will not use the information it receives to identify or contact you.

For more information about SmartScreen Filter and your privacy, read the Internet Explorer privacy statement online at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=143310.

Getting solutions to problems online:

* Windows problem reporting. If problems occur in Windows or programs designed to work with the Microsoft Error Reporting Service, Windows will automatically send information to Microsoft to help identify each problem and check for a solution. In some instances, reports might unintentionally contain personal information. If a report is likely to contain this type of information, you’ll be asked if you want to send the report. Microsoft will not use the information in these reports to identify you or contact you. When a solution is available, you’ll see the steps you need to follow to solve the problem. Or you might see an update to install. Not every problem has a solution, but the information you send will help Microsoft create new solutions.

* Windows online Help and Support. Using recommended settings helps ensure you always get the latest content in Windows Help and Support. Content is continually being updated online so you’ll always see the latest versions in the online Help and Support windows. Information about which edition of Windows you are using will be sent to Microsoft to determine which Help content you need. The information we collect will not be used to identify or contact you.

* Get the latest troubleshooting packs when troubleshooting problems. If you choose recommended settings, you’ll get the most up-to-date troubleshooting packs from the Windows Online Troubleshooting Service. When you have a problem on your computer and search for a troubleshooter to help fix the problem, your results will include the latest troubleshooting packs that are available online.

Helping Microsoft improve Windows:

* Turn on the Customer Experience Improvement Program. When you choose the recommended settings, the Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP) will be turned on, which can help Microsoft and its partners improve software and services. CEIP collects information about how our customers use their software and about some of the problems they encounter. We use this information to improve the products and features customers use most often and to help solve problems. Participation in the program is voluntary, and the end results are software improvements to better meet the needs of our customers. When you participate in the program, we collect basic information about how you use your software, your computer or device, and connected devices. We also collect information about how each is set up and performing. These reports are sent to Microsoft to help improve the features our customers use most often and to create solutions to common problems.

* Turn on the Help Experience Improvement Program and search string collection. When you choose recommended settings, The Help Experience Improvement Program (HEIP) will be turned on, which can help improve the quality and relevance of your Help experience. HEIP collects the words and phrases you type into the Help search box. This information helps us improve search results in Help. The information we collect will not be used to identify or contact you.

Install important updates only

If you choose this option, Windows will automatically install important updates. However, recommended updates will not be installed automatically, and you will not automatically receive enhanced spyware protection, solutions to problems, or the latest drivers for new hardware and devices. SmartScreen Filter will not be turned on.

Ask me later

When you log on, you will be asked periodically to choose settings for the features described in the recommended settings.

I strongly recommend that you select Use recommended settings to help enhance the security and reliability of your computer. If you want to change settings later, search for “Turn off recommended settings” in Help and Support or go to Control Panel.

Microsoft is committed to protecting your privacy. For more information, click the “Read our privacy statement” link on the "Help protect and improve Windows automatically" page on your screen