JohnCerny, To set the system to do automatic updates in Windows 7 follow the steps below. Open Windows Update by clicking the Start button . In the search box, type Update, and then, in the list of results, click Windows Update. In the left pane, click Change settings. Under Important updates, choose the option that you want. Under Recommended updates, select the Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates check box, and then click OK.  If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation. You can also choose if you want to allow anyone to install updates by selecting the Allow all users to install updates on this computer check box. This applies only to updates and software that are installed manually; automatic updates will be installed regardless of the user. In Windows 8: Open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen (or, if you're using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up), tapping or clicking Settings, tapping or clicking Change PC settings, and then tapping or clicking Update and recovery. Tap or click Choose how updates get installed. Under Important updates, choose the option that you want. Under Recommended updates, select the Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updatescheck box. Under Microsoft Update, select the Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows check box, and then tap or click Apply.
Hello again, I am new to this forum.  There appears to be an issue with the automatic updates for my Dell computer. In the Action Center (I open via the little "Xed out" flag in the task bar). Time and time again, I select the install updates automatically, yet it continues to ask me how I want to get the updates, i.e. aut or manual.  Is there a way to select it and have it do that until told to do otherwise? Thanks for your help. John
Windows update doesn't install automatically, regardless of selecting the option