Windows updates

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Install Windows updates

If you'd like Windows to install important updates as they become available, turn on automatic updating. Important updates provide significant benefits, such as improved security and reliability. You can also set Windows to automatically install recommended updates, which can address noncritical problems and help enhance your computing experience. Optional updates are not downloaded or installed automatically. To learn more about the types of updates that Microsoft publishes, go to this Knowledge Base article on the Microsoft Help and Support website.

If you do not turn on automatic updating, make sure that you check for updates regularly. For more information, see Turn automatic updating on or off and Change how Windows installs or notifies you about updates.

 To check for Windows updates

1. Click to open Windows Update.
2. In the left pane, click Check for updates, and then wait while Windows looks for the latest updates for your computer.
3. If you see a message telling you that important updates are available, or telling you to review important updates, click the message to view and select the important updates to install.
4. In the list, click the important updates for more information. Select the check boxes for any updates that you want to install, and then click OK.
5. Click Install updates.
   Read and accept the license terms, and then click Finish if the update requires it.  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

   Note

   • Some updates might require that you restart your computer to finish installing. Save and close all your programs before restarting to prevent data loss.

 To install drivers and other optional updates

To install optional updates, you need to review and then select them from the list of updates that Windows finds for your computer. Optional updates are not installed automatically.

1. Click to open Windows Update.
2. In the left pane, click Check for updates, and then wait while Windows looks for the latest updates for your computer.
3. If you see a message telling you that optional updates are available, or telling you to review optional updates, click the message to view and select the optional updates to install.
4. In the list, click the optional updates to see more information about the update. Select the check boxes for any optional updates that you want to install, and then click OK.
5. Click Install updates.
   Read and accept the license terms, and then click Finish if the update requires it.  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

For more information about installing updates for Microsoft Office, see Update Microsoft Office.

 What to do when things go wrong

Updating your computer by using automatic updating, or by manually checking for updates, is the preferred way to get updates. Sometimes, however, computer, security software, or connection problems can prevent scanning or installation of updates. When this happens, here are a few things you can try:

• If you have automatic updates turned on but some updates fail, try scanning for updates manually. This can sometimes fix the problem.
• Be sure your computer is virus-free and malware-free. Run your antivirus and antispyware scanners before running Windows Update.
• Close all your programs, and restart your computer. It is possible that another program might be preventing Windows Update from working.
• Check your Internet connection. Be sure you can visit other websites before running Windows Update. Connection problems can trigger errors that can appear to be caused by other factors.
• If you know the update you need, such as a service pack or security update, you can search the Microsoft website. Most updates also have a knowledge base article (KB) that explains the update, and most updates provide instructions on how to download and install manually.

If nothing works, you can go to the Microsoft Update Solution Center website to request support by e‑mail.