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.

How to change your Automatic Updates settings by using Windows Security Center

INTRODUCTION

Windows Security Center is the centralized location in Windows XP Service Pack 2 where users can learn about security and can perform security-related tasks. Security Center monitors the status of three major security functions: the firewall, Automatic Updates, and virus detection. If Security Center detects a problem with any one of these, it displays an icon and balloon message in the notification area.

By default, Windows checks to make sure that Automatic Updates is set to download and install security and other important updates to your computer automatically. If Automatic Updates is turned off, or if Automatic Updates is not set to the highest setting, Security Center provides recommendations to turn on or to adjust Automatic Updates.

More Information

To have us turn on Automatic Updates for you, go to the «Fix it for me» section. If you would rather turn on Automatic Updates yourself, go to the «Let me fix it myself» section.

Fix it for me

To fix this problem automatically, click the Fix this problem link. Then click Run in the File Download dialog box, and follow the steps in this wizard.

Turn Automatic Updates on

Turn Automatic Updates off

Note This wizard may be in English only; however, the automatic fix also works for other language versions of Windows.

Note If you are not on the computer that has the problem, you can save the automatic fix to a flash drive or to a CD, and then you can run it on the computer that has the problem.

Let me fix it myself

To turn on Automatic Updates yourself, follow these steps:

Click Start, click Run, type wscui.cpl, and then click OK.

Click Automatic Updates.

The following options are available:

Automatic (recommended)
This option lets you select the day and the time that updates are automatically downloaded and installed. This can be every day, or it can be on a specific day and time.

Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them
This option automatically downloads updates, but requires user interaction to install them.

Notify me but don’t automatically download or install them
This option notifies you that there are updates available. It requires user interaction to download them and install them.

Turn off Automatic Updates
This option disables Automatic Updates. It provides a link to the Windows Update Web site where you can manually select, download, and install updates.

How to stop automatic updates on Windows 10

Source: Windows Central

On Windows 10, when new quality updates (also referred as cumulative updates) become available, they download and install automatically on your computer. Although the automatic approach ensures that every device receives security updates to patch vulnerabilities and performance as well as stability enhancements, it’s one of the most controversial features.

Typically, the biggest reason is that updates are known to contain bugs that can negatively affect the experience, and they require a restart to complete the installation that can disrrupt the current workflow.

If you’re always noticing problems as a direct result of updates, or you have a good reason to use a device unpatched, depending on your edition of Windows 10, you can stop automatic updates using the Windows Updates settings or permanently using Group Policy or Registry.

In this Windows 10 guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to block Windows Update from downloading and installing updates on your device automatically.

How to disable automatic updates using Settings

Usually, it’s not necessary to disable the Windows Update settings permanently. If you want to skip an update, you can pause updates until the day you want to apply them. Using the Settings app, you can stop system updates for up to 35 days on Windows 10 Pro or Home.

To disable automatic updates temporarily, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Windows Update.

Click the Advanced options button.

Source: Windows Central

Under the «Pause updates» sections, use the drop-down menu and select how long to disable updates.

Source: Windows Central

Once you complete the steps, updates for Windows 10 will be completely disabled until the day you specified. When the device reaches the pause limit, you must install the latest updates available for the option to be available again.

You can always undo the changes with the same instructions outlined above, but on step No. 5, choose the Select date option. Another way to perform the same task is to click the Resume updates button on the Windows Update page.

In the past, the «Advanced options» page also included options to defer security and feature updates, but these options are no longer available with the latest version of Windows 10.

How to disable automatic updates using Group Policy

On Windows 10 Pro, the Local Group Policy Editor allows you to disable automatic updates permanently, or you can change the Windows Update policies to decide when updates should install on the device.

Disable updates

To disable automatic updates on Windows 10 permanently, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for gpedit.msc and click the top result to launch the Local Group Policy Editor.

Navigate to the following path:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update

Double-click the Configure Automatic Updates policy on the right side.

Source: Windows Central

Check the Disabled option to turn off the policy and disable automatic updates permanently.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Apply button.

Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, Windows 10 will stop downloading updates automatically on the device. However, the ability to check for updates manually will continue to be available in Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. While on the page, you need to click the Check for updates button to download and install the most recent patches.

If you want to re-enable automatic updates on the device, you can use the same instructions outlined above, but on step No. 5, make sure to select the Not Configured option.

Limit updates

Alternatively, you can customize the policy to decide how you want to disable automatic updates using the Local Group Policy Editor.

To manage Windows Update automatic downloads with Group Policy, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for gpedit.msc and select the top result to launch the experience.

Navigate to the following path:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update

Double-click the Configure Automatic Updates policy on the right side.

Source: Windows Central

Check the Enable option to turn on the policy.

Source: Windows Central

Under the «Options» section, select the best settings to prevent updates from downloading and installing automatically on Windows 10:

• 2 — Notify for download and auto install.
• 3 — Auto download and notify for install.
• 4 — Auto download and schedule the install.
• 5 — Allow local admin to choose setting.
• 7 — Auto Download, Notify to install, Notify to Restart.

Quick tip: The closest option to disable automatic updates is the 2 — Notify for download and auto install option, but you can select any other option that best fits your situation. If you choose option number 2, updates won’t download or install automatically. Instead, in the Windows Update settings page, you’ll now see an «Install now» button that you need to click manually to get the improvements.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Apply button.

Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, automatic updates will be permanently disabled on Windows 10. However, when a new patch becomes available for the system, you’ll be able to install it manually from the Windows Update settings page.

How to disable automatic updates using Registry

On Windows 10 Pro, you can also disable automatic updates using the Registry in at least two different ways.

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that editing the Registry is risky and can cause irreversible damage to your installation if you don’t do it correctly. It’s recommended to make a full backup of your PC before proceeding.

Disable updates

To disable Windows 10 update permanently modifying the Registry, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for regedit and click the top result to launch the Registry Editor.

Navigate to the following path:

Right-click the Windows (folder) key, select the New submenu, and then choose the Key option.

Source: Windows Central

Right-click the newly created key, select the New submenu, and choose the Key option.

Source: Windows Central

Right-click the AU key, select the New submenu, and choose the DWORD (32-bit) Value option.

Source: Windows Central

Double-click the newly created key and change its value from 0 to 1.

Source: Windows Central

Click the OK button.

Restart your computer.

After you complete the steps, Windows Update will no longer install monthly updates automatically on Windows 10. However, similar to using the Local Group Policy Editor, you’ll still be able to download and install updates as needed by clicking the Check for updates button in the Windows Update settings.

Limit updates

It’s also possible to use the Registry to configure how updates are delivered for Windows 10 to prevent automatic installs.

To customize Windows Update settings to block updates with the Registry, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry Editor.

Navigate to the following path:

Right-click the Windows (folder) key, select the New submenu, and choose the Key option.

Source: Windows Central

Right-click the newly created key, select the New submenu, and choose the Key option.

Source: Windows Central

Right-click the AU key, select the New submenu, and select the DWORD (32-bit) Value option.

Source: Windows Central

Double-click the newly created key and change its value (number only) to:

• 2 — Notify for download and auto install.
• 3 — Auto download and notify for install.
• 4 — Auto download and schedule the install.
• 5 — Allow local admin to choose settings.
• 7 — Auto Download, Notify to install, Notify to Restart.

These options work identically to the Group Policy settings, and number 2 is the closest option to disable Windows Update on Windows 10 permanently on your computer.

Source: Windows Central

Click the OK button.

Restart your computer.

Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 will stop installing updates automatically. However, you’ll receive notifications when new updates are available, allowing you to install them manually.

You can always use the same instructions to restore the original settings, but on step No. 4, right-click the WindowsUpdate key, select the Delete option then reboot the device to complete applying the settings.

On Windows 10, like in any other platform, updates are essential to improve the experience, and they’re critical to keeping your computer and data safe against malicious attacks and malware.

Typically, it’s never a good idea to continue using a device without the latest patches, but there are some situations when disabling updates might be appropriate. For instance, if you want to have complete control when applying updates. You want to minimize the chances of running into problems due to bugs with cumulative updates. Or you’re working with critical software and equipment that may stop working if updates are installed.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

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