Abstract: A method of updating software and/or data in any one of a plurality of recipient computers, the update being provided to the recipient computer by a data owner computer. The recipient computer sends an update request as an e-mail message to the data owner computer. The update request specifies files to be updated and includes a message ID unique to the update request. The data owner computer automatically analyzes the update request to determine files to be updated and prepares a corresponding update in response to receiving the update request e-mail. The owner computer automatically sends the update to the recipient computer. The update comprises an email message having one or more files to be updated included as attachment files in the e-mail message; and including the unique message ID. The recipient computer automatically responds to the update by opening the attachment files and updating the software and/or data.