Steam Update?

[Adlerhorst]

(I hope I haven't drilled into one of those Steam vs. Anti Steam cliques.For the record, I have no ax to grind, have never used Steam before and could care less if it works as intended.I am more upset with the economy.)
However, by murky I am referring to the GUI -- it is obscure and dark to me and the mapping is confusing. There lack of clear user interface to do most anything except buy games -- their principal purpose I guess.
For example, the previous post says, "its automatic unless you changed your settings..." What settings? and where are they? I find nothing about automatic updating in properties, or through Search. I see nothing in my account other than I own the game. Of course I'm old. So can someone help a veteran?