How to obtain the latest Windows Vista service pack

Windows Vista updates are distributed in service packs. Service packs help keep Windows Vista current, and they can extend and update the functionality of your computer. This article describes three step-by-step methods that you can use to obtain the latest service pack for Windows Vista. However, before you select the method that you want to use, please make sure that the following conditions are true:

• The service pack is not already installed on your computer.
• You are logged on to your computer by using a user account that is a computer administrator.
• The computer on which you want to install the service pack is connected to the Internet.

If you are not sure that all these conditions are true, please see the "Before you try to download the latest Windows Vista service pack" section. Otherwise, select the method that you want to use to download and install the service pack.

Methods to download the latest service pack

• Method 1: Turn on Automatic Updates (Recommended for most users)
• Method 2: Check for updates on Windows Update (Same as Method 1 but not automatic)
• Method 3: Obtain the latest Windows Vista service pack from the Microsoft Download Center (Good to use if the computer on which you want to install the service pack is not connected to the Internet)

Important Windows Update may not offer the latest Windows Vista service pack to some users. This issue can occur for several reasons. For a full list of causes and resolutions, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

948343 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/948343/ ) Windows Vista service packs are not available for installation from Windows Update and are not offered by Automatic Updates