Troubleshoot problems updating Windows 10

In Windows 10, you decide when and how to get the latest updates to keep your device running smoothly and securely. This article will help you answer questions and troubleshoot common problems with your Windows 10 update.

If you’re looking for info on how to activate Windows 10 or to verify that your installation of Windows 10 is activated, see Activate Windows 10.

Have issues installing Windows updates? Start here.

Your device may not be able to update to the latest version of Windows 10 for a few reasons. The following tips can help you pinpoint the issue affecting your device.

Before you begin, make sure your device is plugged into a power source and connected to the internet. Then, try the steps listed below to get your PC to update.

Some updates require administrator access. If your account doesn’t have administrator access, see Create a local user or administrator account in Windows 10. Or if someone else at home or in your office has an administrator account on your device, try asking them to install the updates.

Before trying any of the solutions below, make sure you back up your personal files. You can use File History to back up your files to another drive, or insert a USB drive and use File Explorer to drag and copy important files to the USB drive. If you’re signing into Windows with a Microsoft account, your system settings will be automatically restored after updating, once you’re connected to the internet.

You can also back up your files with OneDrive. For more info, go to Back up your Documents, Pictures, and Desktop folders with OneDrive.

Make sure that your device has enough space. Your device requires at least 16 GB of free space to upgrade a 32-bit OS, or 20 GB for a 64-bit OS. If your device has a small hard drive, you may need to insert a USB drive to update it.

If your PC is running low on storage, try the techniques at Free up drive space in Windows 10.

Many updates require you to restart your device. Save your work and close all open applications. Then, select Start > Power , and select either Update and restart or Update and shut down.

Even if you have downloaded some updates, there may be more available. After trying the preceding steps, run Windows Update again by selecting Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates. Download and install any new updates.

Remove any external storage devices and drives, docks, and other hardware plugged into your device that aren’t needed for basic functionality. Then try to run updates again and see if this resolved your issue. If it didn’t, continue to the next tip.

If you’ve added hardware to your device, check for third-party driver updates and installation instructions on the hardware manufacturer’s website. Update any drivers, then try to run updates again and see if this resolved your issue. If it didn’t, continue to the next tip.

In the search box on the taskbar, type device manager, then select Device Manager from the list of results.

In the window that appears, look for any device with a yellow exclamation mark next to it. (You may have to select each category to view the list of devices.) Select the device name.

Select Action, and then choose either Update driver or Uninstall to correct the errors.

Common troubleshooting questions

If you are receiving an error message with a specific error code, try running the Windows Update Troubleshooter. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, see Fix Windows Update errors and follow the instructions to help resolve common update issues.

The time required to download and install updates depends on connection speed, network settings, and the size of the update. If the installation remains stuck at the same percentage, try checking for updates again or running the Windows Update Troubleshooter.

To check for updates, select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.

To get help, in the search box on the task bar, type get help, then select Get Help from the list of results. To leave feedback if you run into further problems, in the search box on the taskbar, type feedback hub, then select Feedback Hub from the list of results.

Windows 10 is the most secure Windows ever, and we recommend you stay updated to protect your PC from security risks and to keep it running smoothly. However, you can temporarily pause updates as well as schedule a restart to install updates at a time that’s convenient for you.
Learn how to temporarily pause updates
Find out how to schedule a restart to install updates at a convenient time

You will only receive a notification when it’s time to restart your computer to apply the installed updates.

If you need to know where you left off in your work after an update, use Timeline to jump back in.

To get started with Timeline, select Task View on the taskbar, or press the Windows logo key +Tab and select the activity you want to resume.

Monthly quality updates on Windows 10 are quite small and have a minimal impact on data usage. Feature updates typically happen twice per year, and you can control when to install them. They require more data but are less frequent.

If you’re on a metered connection, some updates for Windows won’t be installed automatically. Metered connections in Windows 10

Your computer might be slow for a number of reasons, but updating to the latest version of Windows 10 can improve its performance. For help with a slow computer, see Tips to improve PC performance in Windows 10.

If you’re having trouble finding your files after an upgrade, see Find lost files after the upgrade to Windows 10 for other things to try.

Warning: Microsoft only recommends trying the procedures in this section if you’re comfortable working in the command line. These procedures require administrator permissions on your device.

In the search box on the taskbar, type command prompt, then select Run as administrator from the list of options. Select Yes. Next, in the window that appears, type the following commands one at a time, including the spaces as shown. After you type each command, press Enter. Then let each command complete before you type the next command.

net stop wuauserv

ren %systemroot%\softwaredistribution softwaredistribution.bak

ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak

net start wuauserv

After all these commands are completed, close the Command Prompt window and restart your computer.

In some instances, third-party antivirus or security software can cause errors when you try to update to the latest version of Windows 10. You can temporarily uninstall this software, update your PC, and then reinstall the software after your device is up to date. We recommend using third-party antivirus or security software that’s compatible with the latest version of Windows 10. You can check compatibility by visiting the software manufacturer’s website.

Note: Before uninstalling software, make sure you know how to reinstall your programs and that you have any necessary product keys.

In the search box on the taskbar, type command prompt, and then select Run as administrator from the list of options. Select Yes. In the window that appears, type the following command, including the space as shown:
chkdsk/f C:
and then press Enter. Repairs will automatically start on your hard drive, and you’ll be asked to restart your device.

A clean restart starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This helps eliminate software conflicts that occur when you install a program or an update that may cause issues updating your PC.
Learn how to do a clean restart

In the search box on the taskbar, type command prompt, then select Run as administrator from the list of options.

In the window that appears, type this command including spaces as shown:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

Press Enter. When the command operation has run successfully, you’ll see a confirmation message from Command Prompt that says, “The restore operation completed successfully” or “The operation completed successfully”.
Note: If you don’t see a confirmation message, retype the command and try again.

Next, type this command, including the space as shown:
sfc /scannow

Press Enter. Wait until the sfc scan verification reaches 100% completion, and then close Command Prompt.

Try running the Windows Update again.

Go to the software download page and select Download tool now to download the clean installation tool. Make sure to carefully read the notes on the software download page before using the tool.

Still stuck?

Contact Microsoft support if you continue to have problems with your Windows updates.

Upgrade Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro

Before upgrading to Windows 10 Pro, make sure your device is up to date and running the most recent version of Windows 10 Home. For more info about how to keep your PC updated, see Windows Update: FAQ.

To upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro and activate your device, you’ll need a valid product key or a digital license for Windows 10 Pro.

Note: If you don’t have a product key or a digital license, you can buy Windows 10 Pro from Microsoft Store. Select the Start button, select Settings > Update & Security > Activation , and then select Go to Microsoft Store. From here, you can also see how much this upgrade will cost.
Open Activation settings

Use the following chart to determine which activation method you’ll use:

If you got Windows 10 by.

Upgrading to Windows 10 for free from an eligible device running a genuine copy of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.

Buying a Windows 10 Pro upgrade from the Microsoft Store app and successfully activated Windows 10.

Being a Windows Insider and upgrading to the newest Windows 10 Insider Preview build on an eligible device that was running an activated earlier version of Windows and Windows 10 Preview.

Buying genuine Windows 10 from the Microsoft Store app.

Buying a copy of Windows 10 from an authorized retailer.

Find it on a label inside the Windows 10 box. A digital license will be given to your device for Windows 10 based on the valid product key you entered.

If you bought your PC from a manufacturer, the manufacturer, not Microsoft, must provide a product key.

Buying a digital copy of Windows 10 from an authorized retailer.

Find it in the confirmation email you received after buying Windows 10 or in a digital locker accessible through the retailer’s website.

A digital license will be given to your device for Windows 10 based on the valid product key you entered.

Having a Volume Licensing agreement for Windows 10 or MSDN subscription.

It is available through the web portal for your program.

Buying a new or refurbished device running Windows 10.

It is preinstalled on your device, included with the device packaging, or included as a card or on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) attached to the device.

If you bought a refurbished PC, the refurbisher, not Microsoft, must provide you a product key.

Find it in the confirmation email that contains the order history.

If you’re ready to upgrade, select one of the following headings to get started:

To upgrade, select the Start button, then select Settings > Update & Security > Activation .
Open Activation settings

If you have a digital license for Windows 10 Pro, and Windows 10 Home is currently activated on your device, you’ll see one of two messages when you select Go to Microsoft Store:

If you see Install, select the button to install Windows 10 Pro.

If you see Buy, you may need to purchase a Windows 10 Pro license. Or, try to sign in to Microsoft Store with the Microsoft account that was used to purchase the Pro license. Then, follow the instructions to install Windows 10.

If you have a digital license for Windows 10 Pro, but Windows 10 Home isn’t activated on your device, select Troubleshoot and then follow the instructions to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro.

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Update & Security > Activation .

Select Change product key, and then enter the 25-character Windows 10 Pro product key.

Select Next to start the upgrade to Windows 10 Pro.

Having issues with activation after your upgrade?

See the following for more help activating your valid product key or digital license for Windows 10 Pro:

Все способы обновить Windows 10 до актуальной версии

Несмотря на появившиеся вчера сообщения, о переносе даты выхода обновления 1909 на 19 ноября, сегодня оно уже стало доступно для скачивания в нашем регионе.

Перечень основных изменений и исправлений вы можете почитать в моих предыдущих статьях:

А в этой статье я хочу рассказать о тех способах, с помощью которых вы сможете установить это обновление на свой компьютер.

Само собой, для прошаренных пользователей эта информация будет не нова. Но если вы не особо в этом разбираетесь, то надеюсь, что эта инструкция будет для вас полезна.

Стандартные средства обновления Windows:

Центр обновлений Windows

Самый простой способ обновить систему — это воспользоваться центром обновлений Windows.

Для того, чтобы это сделать, Зайдите «Параметры» — «Обновления и безопасность» — «Центр обновлений Windows» и нажмите на кнопку «Проверка наличия обновлений».

Дальше все будет сделано автоматически.

Этот способ самый простой, но к сожалению, не всегда рабочий. По этому рассмотрим и другие.

Программа предварительной оценки Windows

Ещё один способ, обновиться стандартными методами — это воспользоваться «Программой предварительной оценки Windows».

Однако, этот способ подходит только для участников программы Windows Insider. А если вы состоите в этой программе, то вы уже по определению знаете, как этим пользоваться, по этому инструкцию по этому методу я писать смысла нет. 🙂

Сторонний Софт:

Если обновиться стандартными средствами у вас, по какой-то причине, не получается, то имеет смысл воспользоваться сторонними приложениями. Например такими, как:

Windows 10 Update Assistant

Элементарная в освоении программка, которая сделает всю работу за вас. Скачать его можно с официального сайта Microsoft, по этой ссылке .

После установки, программа проверит достаточно ли на вашем жестком диске места для установки обновления, и совместима ли ваша система с новым обновлением.

Если все в порядке, то установка начнется автоматически.

Media Creation Tool

Еще одно приложение с официального сайта. Но его функционал чуть шире. Оно позволяет или обновиться до актуальной версии, или скачать ISO-образ с официального сайта.

Скачать его можно здесь .

Это все самые основные, и дружелюбные для пользователя, способы обновиться до актуальной версии. Конечно, есть ещё вариант со скачиванием ISO-образа на прямую с официального сайта Microsoft. Но это не так просто. Всем желающим его не раздают, и нужно идти на хитрость. А это уже тема для отдельной статьи.

Для того, чтобы просто обновиться до актуальной версии, хватит и одного из этих вариантов. Пробуйте, и пишите в комментарии, что у вас получилось!