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.

Обновление Windows 10 KB5001330 приносит очередные проблемы, включая BSOD

В некоторых конфигурациях Windows 10 возникают серьезные проблемы из-за недавнего обновления под номером KB5001330. Пользователи сообщают о проблемах с установкой, проблемах с производительностью, временной ошибке профиля пользователя и предупреждении о сбое системы.

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На этой неделе во вторник Microsoft выпустила новые накопительные обновления за апрель 2021 года для поддерживаемых версий ОС. Для версии 20H2/2004 Microsoft выпустила Windows 10 KB5001330, обязательное обновление безопасности, направленное на устранение ряда уязвимостей и проблем, вызванных предыдущим обновлением, включая проблемы с принтерами.

Согласно многочисленным сообщениям на сайтах социальных сетей, растет число пользователей, которые не могут установить последнее обновление Windows на свое оборудование. При попытке это сделать появляются ошибки: 0x800f081f, 0x800f0984.

Об ошибках при загрузке обновления KB5001330 сообщили многие пользователи в Центре отзывов.

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«Я получаю постоянный сбой при установке KP5001330 с кодом ошибки 0x800f0984. Это происходит на Surface Studio 2 и Pro 7. Второй месяц подряд нельзя установить накопительное обновление на моих устройствах. Установка приостанавливается на 20%, затем снова на 73%, потом на 100%, затем происходит сбой», — отметил один из пользователей.

В редких случаях также может повторяться известная ошибка временного профиля пользователя. Последний раз об этой ошибке сообщалось в декабре, она создает новый профиль пользователя при загрузке операционной системы после применения накопительного обновления. В этом случае пользовательские файлы и настройки (например, обои) могут исчезнуть.

«После обновления я больше не могу войти в свой компьютер. В нем говорится, что службе профилей пользователей не удалось войти в систему. Профиль пользователя не может быть загружен», — пожаловался один пользователь.

«После обновления Windows предлагает войти в гостевой профиль», — другой пользователь подтвердил проблему.

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К счастью, есть обходной путь для решения указанной проблемы. Необходимо либо откатить обновление, либо вручную переместить пользовательские файлы.

Кроме того, пользователи сообщают о сбоях в играх: графических артефактах и значительном падении частоты кадров, но проблему можно решить, удалив накопительное обновление вручную. Лишь некоторые пользователи сообщают об этих проблемах на форумах, и, похоже, они не так распространены, как другие ошибки.

Также многие сталкиваются с периодическими появлениями BSOD (синего экрана смерти)/

«Это обновление сломало Windows для меня и других. BSOD при обновлении сообщал, что определенного драйвера больше нет или он не поддерживается. Я восстановил Windows и обновился снова, затем BSOD на моем ПК повторился дважды за несколько часов. Я удалил обновление. Это случилось не только со мной, поэтому я бы посоветовал не устанавливать это обновление», — сообщил один из пользователей.

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Если вы загрузили обновление April 2021 Patch Tuesday и столкнулись с какими-либо проблемами, лучший способ решить проблему — это удалить исправление, выполнив следующие действия:

1. Откройте приложение «Настройки»;

2. Нажмите «Обновление и безопасность»;

3. Нажмите «Центр обновления Windows»;

4. Нажмите «Просмотреть историю обновлений»;

5. Нажмите «Удалить обновления», затем выберите KB5001330, чтобы удалить его;

6. Перезагрузите компьютер.

На данный момент компания Microsoft никак не прокоментировала многочисленные жалобы пользователей.

Windows 10 : Updates are available but can never download as it’s stuck at 0%

Was one of the early people who adopted Windows 10 when it was released but up to now having the same problem that is whenever there’s an update, regardless of Windows Defender definitions or some other updates by Microsoft, the download will be «stuck» at 0% for days or weeks unless I download them from the catalog and install it myself and this is troublesome.

I’ve even tried to use a USB stick to «freshen» Win 10 yet the same, updates not downloaded and installed. Tweaked services.msc, stopped wuauserv and bits, deleted the «Software Distribution» folder then enabled it yet to no avail, updates can’t be downloaded.

Maybe this is a special «case» as checked in the internet no one have this problem I presume so that’s why I turned to this place in hoping that someone have an answer to this peculiar problem of mine.

Attached 2 screen captures of Windows Update.

This shows updates available

This is waiting for downloads, which will not even «move» even days later.

[Note: Other computers that I’m «taking care» of in my office have no such problem, it downloads immediately(which should be the case I think) and installed on the spot.]

So if anyone have any idea, please enlighten.

Replies (10) 

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Community.

We understand the inconvenience you have experienced.

1. Which is the last Windows Update installed on your PC? Open run command by pressing Windows logo key + R, then type winver and hit Enter Key. Now see the Build number there.
2. Is your PC installed with any third party Antivirus Software or Online Security Software?

Ensure that your device Time, Date and Region settings are set accordingly. Go to Start/> Settings/> Time & Language and check the same. If your PC is installed with any third party Antivirus Software or Online Security Software, then ensure that they shouldn’t be causing any issues to Windows Updates. If in case problem still persist, then try the below troubleshooting steps to see if they fix the issue.

Method 1:

Try to run the Windows update troubleshooter and see if it fix the issue:

* Press Windows Key then type ‘troubleshoot’ and hit Enter

* Select “View all” on the left panel and run “Windows update” troubleshooter from the list

* Click Advanced, ensure to check Apply repairs automatically and also select Run as administrator

* Click Next and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting.

Once done, check if it allows you install Windows Updates without any errors.

Method 2:

Use below steps to fix any issues with system files, when you access the desktop screen. DISM tool and System File Checker will repair any infected or missing system files, if in case they are causing this issue.

Press CTRL+Shift+ESC to open Task Manager.

Click File > Run New Task

Make sure you have a check mark beside “Create this task with administrative privileges”

Type CMD and hit Enter key

Type or copy/paste the following commands at the CMD prompt:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

Sfc /scannow

To close the Administrator: Command prompt window, type Exit, and then press Enter. Reboot your system to see if problem still occurs.

Method 3:

Sometimes, any problem with the Windows Update Components causes this kind of behavior. I mean, Catroot2 and SoftwareDistribution folders, which are located in the system root folder are responsible for downloading and installing Windows Updates. Any problem with these folder makes Windows Updates to fail.

I understand you’ve already tried repairing SoftwareDistribution folder. But you missed repairing Catroot2 folder. You can follow below mentioned troubleshooting steps for repairing Windows Update Components.

Step: 1

a. Press Windows Key + X.
b. Click on ‘Command Prompt (Admin)

Note: Click ‘Yes’ if it prompts for UAC( User Account Control ).
c. Type following commands into the command prompt one after the other

net stop wuauserv

net stop bits

net stop cryptsvc

Keep Command Prompt window opened.

Step: 2

Rename Windows Update folders

At the command prompt, type the following commands, and then press Enter after each command:

ren %systemroot%\System32\Catroot2 Catroot2.old
ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

Then type the following, commands and then press ENTER after each command:

net start wuauserv

net start bits

net start cryptsvc

Close the Command Prompt window and check if you can install the updates.

Keep us posted for any concerns with windows, we’re glad to assist you.

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1. My build is v 1511 Build 10586.164

2. Only Win Defender is being installed

3. Can’t get the troubleshooter to work as in Control Panel no such function, already tried the DISM and sfc both detected nothing too.

4. Tried the renaming folder function too and net start commands still a no go.

All the above was tried and tested since the upgrade, all don’t work for me.

Note: I even downloaded the Windows Update Troubleshooter and after applying it says error was repaired yet Windows Updates don’t work.(As attached below)

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Thank you for providing the required details.

What do you mean by this line «I’ve even tried to use a USB stick to «freshen» Win 10 yet the same»?

Are you referring Start-up repair or Repair in-place upgrade?

From the description, I see that your PC is up to date with Windows Updates. Suggest you to check this issue by performing a Clean Boot. A clean boot is performed to start Windows by using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This helps eliminate software conflicts that occur when you install a program or an update or when you run a program. Follow the below mentioned steps to perform Clean Boot:

a. Press Windows Key, t ype msconfig in the search box, and hit Enter.

b. On the Services tab of the System Configuration dialog box, tap or click to select the Hide all Microsoft services check box, and then tap or click Disable all .

c. On the Startup tab of the System Configuration dialog box, tap or click Open Task Manager .

d. On the Startup tab in Task Manager, for each startup item, select the item and then click Disable .

e. Close Task Manager.

f. On the Startup tab of the System Configuration dialog box, tap or click OK , and then restart the computer. Now see if you’re able to install updates without any issues.

If a service is causing issue, I suggest you turn on 5 services at a time, reboot and then see if the problem reappears, keep repeating this until you find a group of 5 services, which are causing this issue, then check the one by one, till you find the one which is causing your issue. Perform the same divide and apply for Startup’s too.

Refer the below article on «How to Perform Clean Boot». As the article is designed for Windows 8.1, Windows 8 and Windows 7. Unlike launching step for ‘System Configuration’, options and steps to Clean Boot are same for Windows 10.

Note: After you finish troubleshooting, refer «How to reset the computer to start normally after clean boot troubleshooting» from the same article.

If problem still appears, then try to setup another User Profile to see if same thing happens there. Refer the article Set up accounts on Windows 10 . Once you setup another User Profile, check if you’re able to install updates without any issues. This will give us the clue on the root cause.