Home > Articles > Microsoft > MCSA

This chapter is from the book

Windows XP Dynamic Update and Windows Update

Windows XP Dynamic Update is a service that runs only at the beginning of a Windows XP installation. Dynamic Update can be configured to automatically connect the Windows XP computer to the Internet and download all fixes and driver updates during installation.

The Windows Update service is an online service that can be used to update Windows computers with new utilities, drivers, and critical security updates.

Windows XP Dynamic Update

Dynamic Update is meant to provide a convenient way to obtain the latest fixes and newest drivers. You can select the option to use Dynamic Update during the Windows XP installation process. Obviously, an Internet connection is necessary for this. Administrators should consider the security issue here: Connecting a computer to the Internet during installation is not an industry best practice. In fact, best practice states that you should never do this.

Dynamic Update is not available by default on a computer that is installed via an unattended installation with an answer file. However, administrators can configure an installation to use Dynamic Update to download Dynamic Update packages to the corporate network from the Windows Update Catalog site. Thus, the update can occur from a safe, local network location instead of the Internet.

Windows Update

Windows XP can beconfigured to automatically and periodically contact the Windows Update site and download critical patches. Windows 2000 with Service Pack 3 or later can also be configured to contact the update site periodically. All Windows computers can also manually access the public update site, request evaluation, and approve downloads and installations.

The first time you connect a Windows system to the Windows Update site, a Web service control is downloaded and then used to scan the computer for needed updates. You can download new versions of the Web service from the Windows Update site.

The following are options for automatic updates:

  • Download automatically and notify the user when the updates are ready to be installed.

  • Notify the user when downloading and notify the user when the updates are ready to be installed.

  • Turn off automatic updating.

Group Policy Control of Windows Update Technologies

In order for users to take advantage of the Windows Update service, they must have administrative privileges to download and install updates. You can use group policy to disable Windows Update services for all XP users, including other administrators. To do this, you must set the following policies that affect Windows Update:

  • User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Update\Remove Access to Use All Windows Update Features—You can select Enabled to cause all access to Windows Update features to be removed.

  • User Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Configure Driver Search Locations—You should select Enabled to search Windows Update for updates and then select Don't Search Windows Update.

  • User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Media Player\Playback\Prevent Codec Download—You should select Enabled to prevent downloads of updates.

  • User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Messenger or Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Messenger—You should set Do Not Allow Windows Messenger to Be Run to Enabled. Note that if both the user and computer configuration settings are configured, the computer configuration settings will take precedence.

  • Windows Settings\Security Settings\Public Key Policy—You should right-click Trusted Root Certificate Authorities and select Properties. Then you select Enterprise Root Certificate Authorities and add the CAs that are to be trusted. Doing this removes any currently trusted CAs in the trusted authorities store.

NOTE

Setting group policy to enter approved trusted root CAs removes the root CAs initially configured during installation. This could affect the functionality of the Windows system. Before using this choice, you should determine which certificates are essential to the operation of the clients you control. To fully understand the implications of making these changes, you need to understand Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and how it is used in Windows. For more information, see Chapter 7, "Implementing and Managing PKI and EFS," and the resources mentioned in that chapter.

  • User Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Windows Automatic Updates—You should select Disabled.

CAUTION

Windows XP uses the Windows Update service to search for drivers for Plug and Play devices if a new Plug and Play device is plugged in to the computer and there is not a local driver available. Windows XP's Windows Update service can also be configured to automatically search for updated drivers for existing devices, including printers. This feature can also be controlled via group policy.

Other Windows Automatic Technology Updates

Many Windows components are designed to automatically update. Although this is considered by some to be a boon—because security fixes can automatically be delivered—others feel that this can cause more problems than it solves. Nevertheless, you need to know about these automation capabilities and how to manage them. The following technologies are also updated automatically:

  • Media Player updates

  • MSN Explorer updates

  • Windows Messenger updates

  • The Windows Help and Support Center

  • Microsoft Update Root Certificates

Pearson IT Certification Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from Pearson IT Certification and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about Pearson IT Certification products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites; develop new products and services; conduct educational research; and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by Adobe Press. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.pearsonitcertification.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020