How to update Windows

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to update Windows. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Why Update Windows?

Keeping Windows up to date is one of the most important things you can do to protect your computer. For our managed clients, regular patching is a core part of maintaining a strong security posture. Updates deliver:

• Security fixes that protect against viruses, ransomware, and other threats
• New features and improvements
• Bug fixes and performance improvements
• Compatibility with the latest hardware and software

Before You Begin

How to Check for Updates

Method 1: Settings App (Recommended)

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Click Windows Update in the left‑hand menu.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. Wait for Windows to scan for available updates.

Method 2: Open Windows Update Settings

1. Press Win (or click the Start button) and type Windows Update settings.
2. Select the Windows Update settings result to open the page directly.
3. Click Check for updates on the right‑hand side.

What to Do When Updates Are Available

If Updates Are Found

1. Click Download if prompted.
2. Wait for the download to complete. Progress is shown in the Settings window.
3. Click Install now or Restart now when the download finishes.
4. Your PC will restart to apply the updates. This may take several minutes.

If No Updates Are Available

• You’ll see the message “You’re up to date”.
• Check again in a few days, or refer to the troubleshooting section below if you suspect updates are missing.

Feature Updates Using Windows Update Assistant or Media Creation Tool

Windows Update Assistant

1. Download the Windows Update Assistant from Microsoft’s website.
2. Run the tool and follow the on‑screen prompts to upgrade to the latest feature update.
3. The Assistant will check device compatibility, download the update, and restart the PC to complete the installation.

Media Creation Tool (Windows 10)

1. Download the Media Creation Tool.
2. Select “Upgrade this PC now” and follow the wizard.
3. The tool creates a temporary installation media, downloads the latest feature update, and performs the upgrade.

Media Creation Tool (Windows 11)

1. Download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant or the Media Creation Tool for Windows 11.
2. Choose “Upgrade this PC now” and follow the prompts.

Manually Download Updates from the Microsoft Update Catalog

1. Identify the KB number of the required update (e.g., KB5021234).
2. Open a web browser and go to the Microsoft Update Catalog.
3. Enter the KB number in the search box and press Enter.
4. Download the appropriate package for your system architecture (x64, x86, ARM).
5. Run the downloaded .msu file and follow the installation wizard.
6. After installation, restart the PC and verify the update appears in Settings > Windows Update > Update history.

Managing Updates

Pause Updates (Temporarily)

1. Open Settings > Windows Update.
2. Click Pause updates.
3. Choose a date from the calendar picker. The maximum pause period is 35 days (5 weeks).

Set Active Hours

Active Hours tells Windows when you typically use your PC so it won’t restart for updates during those times.

1. Open Settings > Windows Update.
2. Click Advanced options.
3. Under Active hours, choose Automatically adjust active hours or set them manually. The UI differs slightly between Windows 10 (slider) and Windows 11 (calendar picker).

Receive Updates for Other Microsoft Products

1. Open Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options.
2. Under Other Microsoft products, toggle Receive updates for other Microsoft products on or off.
3. When enabled, non‑security updates (e.g., Office, Edge) are delivered alongside Windows updates.

View Update History

1. Open Settings > Windows Update.
2. Click Update history.
3. Review installed quality updates, driver updates, and feature updates.

Defer Feature and Quality Updates

1. Open Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options.
2. Under Feature updates, select the number of weeks to defer (Windows 10 allows up to 365 days; Windows 11 allows up to 30 days).
3. Under Quality updates, choose the defer period (up to 4 weeks on Windows 10, up to 7 days on Windows 11).

Reset Windows Update

If updates are failing, stuck, or not appearing, perform a full Windows Update reset:

1. Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open an elevated Command Prompt.
2. Stop the update‑related services:

   net stop wuauserv
   net stop bits
   net stop cryptsvc
   net stop msiserver

3. Rename the distribution folders:

   ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
   ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old

4. Restart the services:

   net start wuauserv
   net start bits
   net start cryptsvc
   net start msiserver

5. Close Command Prompt and run Check for updates again.

Troubleshooting Common Update Errors

Update Stuck Downloading or Installing

1. Restart your PC and try again.
2. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run.
3. Perform the Reset Windows Update procedure above.
4. If the issue persists, verify network connectivity (see How to connect to Wi‑Fi) and consider restarting your router (How to restart router/modem).

Common Error Codes and Fixes

• 0x80070002 – Update files missing or corrupted. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter and reset Windows Update.
• 0x80070005 – Permission error. Ensure you are running as administrator and that security software isn’t blocking the update.
• 0x80070057 – Parameter is incorrect, often caused by corrupted system files. Run sfc /scannow and then the Reset Windows Update steps.
• 0x80070490 – Component corruption. Run sfc /scannow followed by DISM /Online /Cleanup‑Image /RestoreHealth, then retry.
• 0x800f081f – Could not find the files. Reset Windows Update and, if needed, manually download the KB from the Update Catalog.
• 0x8024500C – Windows Update service disabled. Open Services, locate Windows Update, set the startup type to Automatic (Delayed Start), and start the service.
• 0x80070422 – Service disabled. Enable the Windows Update Medic Service.

Still Having Issues?