Enable periodic checking in Update Service to automatically check for updates, and select notification and installation preferences. Enabling periodic checking ensures you receive timely alerts about important updates.

  1. Select the File » Preferences menu item to launch the dialog box for Update Service Preferences.
    Note Depending on your version of Microsoft Windows, Update Service might close and reopen to request permission to run with administrator privileges. If prompted for administrator privileges, click Yes to launch Update Service and display the Preferences dialog box.
  2. To enable periodic checking, use the Check for updates dropdown list. Select a specific period and time for checking updates.
    Update Service checks for updates within the hour after the time you select.
  3. Select the kinds of updates you want Update Service to alert you about using the Notification preferences dropdown list. You can get notified about all updates or only urgent updates.

    Urgent updates and patches resolve issues such as the following:

    • Crashes
    • Computational errors
    • Math errors
    • Problems that might result in inaccurate data

    NI strongly recommends that you install these updates. For more information about the types of updates supported by Update Service, refer to Update Service Categories and Icons.

    Note If you select Tell me about urgent updates only, NI might periodically notify you if a large number of updates are available.
  4. Set automatic installation preferences using the Installation preferences dropdown list. Select from the following options:
    • Do not automatically install updates
    • Automatically install security updates (default)
    • Automatically install urgent and security updates
    • Automatically install all updates
  5. Click OK to save the settings and close the dialog box.

If Update Service cannot connect to NI servers during a periodic check, it continues checking for 7 days. After that period, Update Service alerts you to do the following:

  • Check your Internet connection.
  • Contact NI support at ni.com/support if the problem persists.