I rum windows xp pro serv. pack 2. Whenever windows automatically updates, does this update all patches and fixes for internet explorer? Or do I have go to the microsoft website for patches and updates.
The internet explorer hotfixes are included in service pack 2. But there are many more hotfixes not included in sp2. You will have to browse the internet and look for them or you can find your problem in the microsoft knowledge database and request the hotfix from microsoft. I'll give you some sites with some hotfixes.
AutoUpdate will install all relevant patches and hotfixes for Win, including Internet Explorer, Messenger, .NET, and Outlook Express.
You will have to surf to the Microsoft site occasionally for updates for Office including Microsoft Outlook.
I recommend you use an alternate web browser such as Firefox or Opera, though-- they aren't as heavily targeted as IE, are updated quite frequently against vulnerabilities and have quite a few features not found in IE.