Most of us will have at least one piece of Microsoft software on our computers. Getting hold of information on using it, keeping your software updated and getting your hands on the latest security updates, patches and drivers can have you running around in circles.

The Microsoft website is packed with all of this essential information and more but, if you've ever tried using it, you'll know that it's not always easy to put your finger on what you're looking for in a timely fashion.

And if you're looking for information on solving a problem that needs to be fixed quickly, this can be frustrating. To make things easier, here's Computeractive's essential guide to finding what you want on Microsoft's support websites.

Get started with Windows XP
If you're thinking about installing Windows XP on your PC or have just bought a PC with Windows XP installed, there's plenty of information available on Microsoft's website to help you get started.

If you're thinking of installing the operating system yourself, you'll first need to determine whether your computer is powerful enough to run XP.

To do this, you'll need to visit the online Microsoft Support Center here and click on Windows XP, which is listed on the menu on the left side of the screen under the heading Top Support Centers.

A list of subject guides relating to using Windows XP and a selection of user guides will appear. There is also a range of step-by-step guides to performing various tasks and many 'how to' articles.

If you're using Windows XP for the first time, among the most useful information available on the XP Support Center page is the Get Started Using Windows XP section, which you'll find listed under the first heading - Highlights & Top Issues.

Click on this and you'll find further links to information concerning older versions of Windows that can be upgraded to XP, computer system requirements for running XP and a guide to activating your copy of Windows XP.

Click on the 'Made for Windows?' link on this page and then click on the Windows XP: See the Windows Catalog link, and you'll be able to check whether specific software products you may already own, such as a firewall, or hardware products, such as a printer, have been designed to run with Windows XP.

This section should prove useful if you are considering upgrading to Windows XP but are unsure whether all your software and equipment will be compatible.

Non-Microsoft hardware and software products are included here but, as it's the responsibility of the manufacturer to ensure that its products are listed, there may be some omissions and you might find it easier to check with the manufacturer directly.

There is also a similar hardware compatibility list for Windows 2000, which can also be accessed through the Made for Windows? link we mentioned before.

Return to the main XP Support Center web page and you'll also find information on customising the operating system to better suit your needs, accessible through the How to Customize Windows XP link.

Packs and patches
Media coverage of so-called security 'holes' in Windows software, and the software patches designed to fix them, is enough to make even the least security conscious PC user concerned about the risks.

A hole is actually a weak spot, or flaw, in a piece of software that is often caused by a programming error and can be exploited by viruses or hackers to infect or gain access to your PC.

Ensuring that your PC is protected against these threats is usually a simple matter of downloading a piece of software, called a patch, which Microsoft makes available soon after a hole is discovered. Sometimes, software updates are also bundled together in a service pack.

Checking for the latest software updates, service packs and patches is quite straightforward. Just go to www.windowsupdate.com and click on the option labelled Scan for Updates. The site will then scan your PC and produce a list of recommended updates.

If you haven't done this before, or for a long time, you may find a very long list of updates returned. Some updates or service packs may need to be installed first before you can install the others, but instructions on the website will help you to do this.

It's a good idea to check for updates on a regular basis as, if you leave it too long, you're likely to find that there are an awful lot of updates and patches to download in one go, which can be time consuming.

As with any new piece of software you're installing on your computer, you should remember to back up all your important files before you do anything else.

For all the latest security alerts and updates, try visiting www.microsoft.com/security/home.

This is Microsoft's Security website, where you can find out about and download the latest updates, and sign up to receive newsletters and emails that will keep you informed about the latest security issues and flag up any potential problems. But more on that in a moment.

Internet Explorer
If you use Internet Explorer as your web browser, you should check that you're using the latest version, currently version 6. This contains the most recent security updates to make your online experience that bit safer.

To find out which version of the browser you're using, launch the application, then select About Internet Explorer from the Help menu on the menu bar at the very top of the browser window.

A small window will appear on-screen displaying the version number of the application and other information. Click on OK to close this box when you're done.

Internet Explorer has its own dedicated support centre here. This page has the latest news on security updates, service packs and virus threats.

For information on using Internet Explorer and customising it, return to the main Microsoft Support Center and click on Internet Explorer on the menu on the left-hand side of the screen, underneath the heading Top Support Centers.

Here you'll find a Quick Assistance page with a list of 'how to' guides on blocking pop-up ads, resolving common problems and advice on browsing using Internet Explorer.

Virus alerts
For information about security and privacy for the home user, go straight to the dedicated online security centre at www.microsoft.com/security/home.

This features tips on protecting your PC against security threats and information on subjects ranging from combating spam to shopping online safely. There's also useful information on getting rid of viruses such as the recent MyDoom and Blaster.

You'll also find information on ridding your PC of viruses on the central Microsoft Support Center site; if you can't find what you're looking for straight away, try typing a keyword related to your query into the search box on the top-left of the home page.

You'll also find information on using the Windows XP firewall and using antivirus software on the Support Center website.

Driver dilemmas
New computer equipment, such as a monitor, mouse and printer, or internal components, such as a graphics card, are often supplied with a driver.

From time to time, however, the drivers for different pieces of hardware may need updating with more recent versions, available either from the manufacturer of the equipment or from Microsoft.

Microsoft's Support Center has a number of drivers available to download. Select the Downloads & Updates menu option on the left side of the screen, then choose Downloads & Updates - Overview from the sub-menu that appears.

After the next page has opened, you can search for a driver by typing a keyword into the search box and clicking on Go. Microsoft has a mixture of general and specific drivers.

Office updates
While you may be happy with the functions offered by the different applications on your PC, few of us would complain about getting something extra for free.

For example, you can download software updates that will add new Clip-art selections, new templates for spreadsheets and many more additional features, which are often available for free.

Word 2000 for example, has a number of updates to add sounds to documents and convert files to Microsoft Reader format.

For Microsoft Office updates, click here and click on the Downloads option on the left side of the screen.

A comprehensive list of updates and downloads will appear for Office versions as old as Office 97, and you are free to browse what's on offer at your leisure, according to which version of Office you're using.

We liked the PowerPoint viewer, which allows you to view PowerPoint presentations even if you don't have PowerPoint installed on your PC, and there's also a download that lets you include endnotes and footnotes in word counts of sections of text in Word 97 and Word 2000.

Once you've found an update you want to download, click on the link to it for information, including its file size and the estimated time required to download it with a 56K modem.

Save our software!
If you find yourself in a fix, there's a fairly comprehensive online Microsoft help facility, but it can be very frustrating to use at first. You can access the help centre through the Support Center here.

On the left side of the screen, you'll see an option labelled Self Support Options. If you hover your mouse pointer over this option a submenu will appear.

You can choose to use the technical database (called Knowledge Base), frequently asked questions and Microsoft Newsgroups to help you out. See below for using the Knowledge Base and Newsgroups.

The frequently asked questions option leads you to another page where you need to narrow down the FAQs by selecting the Microsoft product you're having trouble with. Various categories of questions will then appear.

If all the help information you can find still doesn't solve your computer problems, contacting Microsoft may be the answer. After accessing the Support Center, click on the option near the middle of the screen labelled Ask Microsoft For Help Online.

You can then submit a request for help, which usually means submitting information concerning your problem and waiting for a reply via email. You can also try ringing Microsoft's Contact Center on 0870 601 0100 (calls are charged at the national rate).

Narrowing the search
Microsoft's online support centre is crammed with information on using its products, the latest software updates and security warnings, not to mention a wealth of information on older versions of Microsoft software.

All this information is presented in a range of formats, from downloads and straightforward articles, to interactive help, newsgroups and much more.

While this online information repository can prove a real gem when you're in a fix, or need a few pointers on using a Microsoft product, the sheer amount of information on the site can prove overwhelming when you're trying to find help on a specific topic.

Armed with our guide to tracking down those vital software updates and user guides, you should be able to find your way through this maze of support material every time.