Microsoft time to time releases Windows updates with the latest bug fixes, performance improvements, and essential security patches to protect your computer from potential threats. Also, keeping up to date with the latest version of Windows 11 or Windows 10 ensures you have access to all new features and security fixes. You can check for Windows updates from settings or download the offline installer to update Windows manually.
Overall, installing Windows Updates helps fix known bugs or vulnerabilities and keep the system optimized. This article explores different ways to check for and get the latest Windows update installed on your computer.
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What is a Windows update?
Windows updates are software patches from Microsoft released to correct errors, bugs, or security vulnerabilities in Windows computers. With regular Windows updates, Microsoft ensures your device runs smoothly, remains secure, and stays up to date with the latest features. The company releases patches to fix vulnerabilities in its software on a regular basis.
Windows Updates sometimes come with new features, while patching some known issues.
Overall, installing Windows Updates applies security patches that fix vulnerabilities and errors in Windows and associated software, and occasionally adds new features.
How to Download and Install Windows Updates
By default, Windows security updates are set to download and install automatically because they address security vulnerabilities. Ensure your device is connected to a stable working Internet to get the latest Windows update download from the Microsoft server. But Non-security updates need to be downloaded and installed manually. Here are different ways to check for Windows updates and install them on your computer.
Install Windows 11 Updates
Using the settings app is the easiest and most preferred method to Get the latest Windows updates installed on your Windows 11 PC. You only need to open the settings app and check for Windows updates.
- Press Windows key + I to open the settings app on Windows 11,
- Go to Windows Update and click the Check for Updates button,
- This will check for available updates on the Microsoft server.
- If pending updates are there, click Download and Install to get the patch download from the Microsoft server and install on your PC.
- It may take some time to download, depending on your internet speed.
- In addition, you can click on Advanced options, then Optional Updates.
- Select the drivers or other optional updates and click the Download & Install button.
Once done you need to reboot your PC to apply the changes.
Install Windows 10 Updates
In Windows 10, you can also check for Windows Update within the Settings app.
- Press the Windows key + X and select settings, alternatively, you can press the Windows key + I
- Select Update & Security, then Windows Update on the left.
- Now, to check for new Windows 10 updates, click on the Check for Updates button
- This will check for new updates, then automatically download and install them.
- You only need to reboot your computer to apply the changes.
How to Update Windows Manually
You can also download the Windows update offline installer (MSU file) from the Microsoft Catalog and apply it manually by following the steps.
- First, open Settings, then Windows Update, and note the update pack number. (For example, KB5027303)
- Now, open the web browser and visit catalog.update.microsoft.com
- Search the update KB number (that you noted KB5027303 previously)
- This displays all available updates for the specified update pack.
- Now, based on your system, whether it’s x64 or ARM-based, download the required update.
Once done, locate the MSU file and double-click on it to install the Windows update on your computer.
Using the Windows Update Assistant
You can also use the Update Assistant to check for and download feature updates on your computer.
First, download the update assistant from the Official site Windows 10 | Windows 11
- Locate the downloaded file, double-click on it, and click Yes to the UAC prompt for permission.
- Click the Update Now button to allow the computer to check the computer’s compatibility.
This will download and install the latest Windows updates or Feature updates on your computer while keeping your personal files intact
How do I turn off Windows updates?
Windows updates are important and it’s always recommended to keep your computer up to date. But if, for some reason, you are looking to skip the current update, you can pause it for up to 35 days.
To disable Windows updates:
- Press the Windows key + X and select Settings
- Go to Windows Update, select Pause updates, and set the duration to up to 5 weeks in the drop-down menu.
- On Windows 10 devices, go to Windows Update> Advanced Options > Pause updates.
- Here, you can pause updates for up to 35 days. After that, automatic updates will resume.
Windows Update Stuck or Fails to install
If you experience problems installing Windows updates on your Device, such as Windows updates stuck download hours or fails to install with different errors here are a few tips for you.
- Check and ensure you are connected to a stable or working internet connection. You can run ping command to check internet speed at fast.com or speedtest.net.
- Next, disconnect the VPN, temporarily uninstall the antivirus, free up the system drive, and reboot your PC. Now check for Windows updates again.
Run the Update troubleshooter
The built-in troubleshooter scans your system for common problems that prevent Windows update download or install and attempts to fix them automatically.
- Press the Windows key + S type troubleshoot and select troubleshoot settings
- Click on Other troubleshooters then click Run next to Windows Update
- This will start detecting and resolve any issues related to Windows updates.
- After running the Windows Update Troubleshooter, it is recommended that you restart your computer and try installing the updates again.
Reset Windows update cache
If the troubleshooter fails to resolve the issue, resetting the Windows Update cache can help. Resetting the Windows Update cache clears temporary files and associated data, allowing the update process to start fresh.
- Press the Windows key + R, type services.msc and click ok
- Scroll down to Windows Update, right-click on it select Stop,
- Now press Windows key + E to open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
- Here delete all files and folders (press ctrl + A to select all and hit Del key)
Now restart your PC and check for Windows updates again.
Also read:
- Windows 11: How to uninstall a Windows Update (4 ways)
- Windows 11 Update Stuck at 100% Downloading (9 ways to Get it installed right way)
- How To Use the System Restore Feature in Windows 11
- Solved: Bluetooth disappeared or not working on Windows 11
- Windows 11 sound not working after update? 8 solutions to apply
