Windows Update: FAQ

Note: If you’re looking for Microsoft Office update info, see Install Office updates.

In Windows 10, you decide when and how to get the latest updates to keep your device running smoothly and securely. When you update, you’ll get the latest fixes and security improvements, helping your device run efficiently and stay protected. In most cases, restarting your device completes the update. Make sure your device is plugged in when you know updates will be installed.

If other questions come up when you update Windows 10, here are some other areas that might interest you:

When you only want info about updating Windows 10, you’ll find answers to many of your questions here:

When the Windows 10 May 2020 Update is ready for your device, it will be available to download and install from the Windows Update page in Settings. Choose a time that works best for you to download the update. You’ll then need to restart your device and complete the installation. After that, your device will be running Windows 10, version 2004.

To manually check for the latest recommended updates, select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Windows Update .

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

Some updates may not be available on all devices at the same time—we’re making sure updates are ready and compatible.

To stay up to date, select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Windows Update , and then select Check for updates.

If a feature update is available for your device, it will appear separately on the Windows Update page. To install it, select Download and install now.

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 > Windows Update , and then view available updates.
Check for updates

Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot . Under Get up and running, select Windows Update.

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 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.

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 > Update & Security > Windows Update > 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. Learn about active hours for Windows 10.

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 10.

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 > Update & Security > Windows Update > Windows Update > View update history .

For more info about what’s included in updates for Windows 10, see Windows 10 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.

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 Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and see your update status and available updates.

To find which version of Windows you’re running, see Which version of Windows operating system am I running?

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.

Note: If you’re looking for Microsoft Office update info, see Install Office updates.

The best way to keep Windows 8.1 up to date is to turn on automatic updates. With automatic updates, you don’t have to search for updates online or worry about missing critical fixes or device drivers for your PC. Instead, Windows Update automatically installs important updates as they become available.

To turn on automatic updates:

Open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen (or, if you’re using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up), select Settings > Change PC settings > Update and recovery > Windows Update. If you want to check for updates manually, select Check now.

Select Choose how updates get installed, and then, under Important updates, select Install updates automatically (recommended).

Under Recommended updates, select Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates.

Under Microsoft Update, select Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows, and then select Apply.

Click the questions below to see answers about how Windows Update keeps your device up to date.

Note: If your PC is connected to a network where updates are managed by Group Policy, you might not be able to change settings related to Windows Update. For more info, contact your organization’s technical support.

Open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen (or, if you’re using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up), select Settings > Change PC settings > Update and recovery > Windows Update. To check for updates manually, select Check now.

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.

To see your PC’s update history, open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen (or, if you’re using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up), select Settings > Change PC settings > Update and recovery > Windows Update > View your 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.

Open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen (or, if you’re using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up), select Settings > Change PC settings > Update and recovery > Windows Update > View your update history.

Select the update you want to remove, then select Uninstall.

Here are a few things to try if you’re having problems installing updates:

Make sure that your PC is connected to the internet. Some updates can’t be installed if you’re using a metered internet connection.

If you’re connected the internet and updates aren’t installed automatically, wait a few minutes and then try to install the updates manually.

See the Fix Windows Update errors guided walkthrough to try to fix the problem.

Support for Windows 7 ended on January 14, 2020

We recommend you move to a Windows 10 PC to continue to receive security updates from Microsoft.

Click the questions below to see answers about how Windows Update keeps your device up to date.

FIX: Windows update & security tab not loading

• The Windows security won’t open and that means you won’t have access to processes and operations related to updating and restoration features
• If W indows Security is not showing anything, start by running the System File Checker tool.
• You can also try to scan and fix errors using DISM commands and change the Windows 10 account.
• Another idea is to perform a system restore if you have any restore points activated for your system.

1. Download Restoro PC Repair Tool that comes with Patented Technologies (patent available here).
2. Click Start Scan to find Windows issues that could be causing PC problems.
3. Click Repair All to fix issues affecting your computer’s security and performance

• Restoro has been downloaded by 0 readers this month.

Update & Security is a special field integrated by default into the Windows 10 core system. This built-in menu offers access to processes and operations related to updating and restoration features.

Here you can check for your update history or schedule your restart for a specific time and the process is automated so you don’t have to do anything manually.

Shortly, by accessing the Update & Security window you can scan for new updates, apply certain updates, remove recently installed patches, initiate a system recovery operation and perform similar other processes.

However, sometimes you might notice that the Windows Security won’t open. This is quite a common Windows 10 error caused by corrupted system files or by other Windows 10 malfunctions.

Fortunately, there are a few solutions that you can use to fix the Update & Security tab.

How do I fix Windows Update and Security tab not working?

1. Run the System File Checker tool
2. Scan and fix errors using DISM commands
3. Change the Windows 10 account
4. Perform a system restore

1. Run the System File Checker tool

1. Type cmd in the Seach box and click on Run as administrator under the Command Prompt app.
2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
3. Wait until the scan is completed (it might take a while depending on how many files are stored on your computer).
4. If problems are found the troubleshooter should fix them automatically.
5. Don’t forget to restart your PC in the end.

If you need to know more about System File Checker, we have an excellent guide on how to use it.

2. Use a dedicated software – Restoro

As this problem can be produced by corrupted files or registry, we recommend using specialized software like Restoro to fix the problem.

This amazing tool not only that will fix your file and system issues but after that, it will continue to monitor your OS and will make sure that it’s always in tip-top shape and running smoothly.

Run a System Scan to discover potential errors

After using Restoro, don’t be surprised if your PC will become faster and more responsive because this solution will provide the much-needed performance boost that you’ve never experienced.

Restoro

3. Scan and fix errors using DISM commands

1. Start a Command Prompt window as explained above.
2. Enter the following commands (press Enter after each entry):
   • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
   • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
   • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
3. Close the command prompt window and restart the Windows 10 system.

If you want to learn everything there is to know about using DISM commands check our handy guide.

4. Change the Windows 10 account

1. Click on the Cortana icon, located near the Start button.
2. In the Search box enter settings and pick Settings from the resulted entries.
3. Then, click on Account and go to Other user accounts.
4. Select Add an account from Manage other accounts.
5. You will have to pick Sign in without a Microsoft account and Local account.
6. Fill out the forms and save your changes.
7. Switch to the newly created account and verify if you can access the Update & Security tab.

The problem might be associated with one particular account. So, it’s recommended to create a new account as from afterward you might be able to access the Windows 10 Update & Security tab again.

5. Perform a system restore

If our steps above look too complicated, we also have a complete guide on how to create and use a System Restore Point in Windows 10.

Hopefully, you managed to solve the Windows 10 Update & Security tab not working issue.

Usually, one of the troubleshooting solutions from above is fixing this Windows 10 problem without having to initiate a clean install of the system itself.

However, depending on each situation and how you use your Windows 10 device, the solutions might differ.

That’s why, if the issue persists, use the comment section below to describe your situation in detail. Based on the details that you offer, we can try to find the more solutions for you.