Windows Update: FAQ - Microsoft Support (original) (raw)

Windows 11 automatically downloads and installs updates to make sure your device is secure and up to date. This means you receive the latest fixes and security updates, helping your device run efficiently and stay protected.

Check for updates.

Or select Start > Settings > Windows Update .

Links to popular information:

If you're trying to activate Windows, see Activate Windows for more info.
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If you're having trouble installing updates, see Troubleshoot problems updating Windows.

Links to more Windows update FAQs:

Here are a few things you can try if you're having trouble installing updates:

Make sure that your device is connected to the internet. Downloading updates requires an internet connection.
If you’re connected the internet, try to install the updates manually. Select Start > Settings > Windows Update , and then view available updates.
Check for updates
Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter. Select Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Under Most frequent, select Windows Update.
If the Troubleshooter doesn't fix the problem, see Troubleshoot problems updating Windows or Fix Windows Update errors.

The time required to download updates primarily depends on internet connection speed, network settings, and update size. Make sure your device is plugged in and connected to the internet to download updates faster.

You can’t stop updates entirely—because they help keep your device safe and secure, updates will eventually need to be installed and downloaded, regardless of your update settings. Here's how to temporarily pause updates from being downloaded and installed. Note that after the pause limit is reached, you'll need to install the latest updates before you can pause updates again.

In Windows 11, select Start > Settings > Windows Update . Next to Pause updates, select the pause length you prefer.

To finish installing an update, your device will need to restart. Windows will try to restart your device when you're not using it. If it can't, you'll be asked to schedule the restart for a more convenient time. Or, you can schedule anytime by following these steps:

Select Start > Settings > Windows Update .
Select Schedule the restart and choose a time that's convenient for you.

You can set active hours to make sure automatic restarts for updates only happen when you're not using your device. Get updates when you're away from your PC with active hours in Windows.

Try deleting files you don’t need, uninstalling apps you don’t use, or moving files to another drive like an external USB drive or OneDrive. For more tips on freeing up disk space, see Free up drive space in Windows.

We recommend keeping devices like laptops and tablets plugged in when you’re not using them. This way, if updates are installed outside active hours, your device will have enough power to complete the installation. Windows updates don’t consume more battery than other typical system processes.

An update history is available so you can see which updates were installed, and when. You can also use this list to remove specific updates, although we don't recommend this unless it's necessary.

Select Start > Settings > Windows Update > Update history .

We don’t recommend that you remove any installed updates. However, if you must remove an update, you can do so in update history.

Select Start > Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates .
Select the update you want to remove, then select Uninstall.

Feature updates are typically released twice per year and include new functionality and capabilities as well as potential fixes and security updates. Quality updates are more frequent and mainly include small fixes and security updates. Windows is designed to deliver both kinds of updates to devices through Windows Update.

To double check that your device is up to date, open Start > Settings > Windows Update and see your update status and available updates.

Check for updates

Reserved storage will be turned on for new devices with Windows 11 preinstalled, or devices on which a clean install of Windows 11 was performed.

Windows 10 automatically downloads and installs updates to make sure your device is secure and up to date. This means you receive the latest fixes and security updates, helping your device run efficiently and stay protected.

Though updates are downloaded and installed automatically, they may not be available on all devices at the same time — we’re making sure updates are ready and compatible.

Check for updates.

Or to check for updates manually, select the Start button, then select Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update >, and then select Check for updates.

To get help updating to the latest version of Windows 10, go to the Microsoft software download page and download the Update Assistant.

Find out how to upgrade to Windows 11.

Links to popular information:

Links to more Windows update FAQs:

Here are a few things you can try if you're having trouble installing updates:

Make sure that your device is connected to the internet. Downloading updates requires an internet connection.
If you’re connected the internet, try to install the updates manually. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update , and then select Check for updates.
Check for updates
Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot . Under Get up and running, select Windows Update.
If the Troubleshooter doesn't fix the problem, see Troubleshoot problems updating Windows or Fix Windows Update errors.

In the Windows 10 November 2019 Update (version 1909) or later, or in Windows version 1809 for Pro or Enterprise, select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update . Then choose one of the following options:

Select Pause updates for 7 days.
Select Advanced options. Then, in the Pause updates section, select the drop-down menu and specify a date for updates to resume.

Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update .
Select Schedule the restart and choose a time that's convenient for you.

You can set active hours to make sure automatic restarts for updates only happen when you're not using your device. Get updates when you're away from your PC with active hours in Windows.

An update history is available so you can see which updates were installed, and when. You can also use this list to remove specific updates, although we don't recommend this unless it's necessary.

Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history .

We don’t recommend that you remove any installed updates. However, if you must remove an update, you can do so in update history.

Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates.
Select the update you want to remove, then select Uninstall.

To double check that your device is up to date, open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and see your update status and available updates.

Check for updates

Reserved storage is not automatically turned on by Windows in any update scenarios. It is only turned on for new devices with the Windows 10 May 2019 Update (version 1903) or later preinstalled, or devices on which a clean install was performed.

Windows Update: FAQ - Microsoft Support (original) (raw)

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