PlayInfoBox

Home /Utilities /How to Check for and Install Windows Updates

How to Check for and Install Windows Updates

Tap through each step to check for and install updates.

  1. Go to "Settings β†’ Windows Update"

    Open the Settings app and select the "Windows Update" menu.

  2. Click "Check for updates"

    Click the button to see whether a new update is available.

  3. It downloads and installs automatically once found

    If an update is found, it downloads automatically, and installation progress is shown once the download finishes.

  4. Restart your computer if prompted

    Some updates only take full effect after a restart, which you can schedule for a convenient time.

  5. Why it's useful

    Installing updates regularly β€” which patch security holes and add new features β€” keeps your PC safer and more up to date.

Keep your PC more secure

Regularly installing updates that patch security vulnerabilities and add new features helps keep your computer safer and running on the latest version of Windows.

Decide when updates install

Windows lets you set "active hours" so updates won't restart your PC while you're using it, and you can pause updates for a set number of weeks if a big update lands at an inconvenient time β€” though it's best not to postpone them for too long, since delaying leaves known security gaps open longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I turn off my computer while an update is installing?

Forcing a shutdown mid-installation can cause problems, so it's safer to wait until you see a completion message before turning off or restarting your PC.

Can I postpone updates temporarily?

Yes, the "Pause updates" option lets you delay updates for a few weeks, but it's best not to put them off too long since that leaves security patches uninstalled.