Keep Windows updated.

Microsoft issues fixes and patches to Windows regularly, these patches can improve performance and prevent malicious attacks on your computer. Why not allow Windows to update itself?

 

Open ‘Control Panel’ and select ‘Windows Update’, you should see a screen similar to the one below (Vista version is shown). In general Microsoft release patches on Tuesday. I update on Wednesday as Microsoft can screw up. This gives you a day in case a patch is recalled.