You can go to Web sites and locate the right updates based on your computers' software and hardware. Once at a Web site, check the support or download areas.

For a list of popular home networking equipment manufacturers (for example, for routers, network adapters, and devices) that includes links to their Web sites, see Contact manufacturers.

A device that joins networks (for example, to connect your home network to the Internet). A router is also known as a gateway or base station.

A board, card, or other device that connects your computer to a network. Also known as an adapter card or a network interface card (NIC).

A component that connects to a network (for example, a printer, media player, or gaming device).

Many popular software packages include features that let you automate this process.

Here are examples of how this works:

· You can set up your computer to automatically download software updates. Simply confirm that you want to install these, and you are up to date.

· You can sign up for a notification by e-mail that an update is available.