Automatic Updates can be configured through the Local Group Policy. More experienced users may want to use this method instead using the System Properties dialog box. You can configure Automatic Updates settings through the Local Group Policy using the steps outlined below:

1. Click Start and click Run.

2. Type gpedit.msc and click OK.
3. Expand Computer Configuration.
4. Right click Administrative Templates and click Add/Remove Templates.
5. Click Add.
6. Within the Windows\Inf directory, click Wuau.adm and click Open.
7. Expand Computer Configuration | Administrative Templates | Windows Components | Windows Update.
8. In the details pane, double click Configure Automatic Updates.
9. Click Enabled.
10. Click OK.

When you enabled Automatic Updates through the Local Group Policy, the default setting is 3 - Auto download and notify for install. This means that Windows will automatically download updates for your computer from the Windows Update Web site and notify you when they are ready to be installed.

Tags: windows, microsoft, diana huggins, group policy, automatic update