How to Update Your Windows Computer

To update your Windows computer, open Settings (press Windows + I), click Windows Update, and click Check for updates. Windows downloads and installs anything available, then asks you to Restart now if needed. In Windows 10, the path is Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Driver and feature updates sometimes appear separately under Advanced options > Optional updates, so check there too.

This guide covers every type of Windows update, how to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11, how to control when updates install, and what to do when an update gets stuck or fails.

How to update Windows 11

1. Click Start > Settings > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If updates appear, click Download & install or Install all. Some install automatically.
4. When prompted, save your work and click Restart now, or schedule the restart for later.

How to update Windows 10

1. Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates, then Download and install for any listed updates.
3. Restart when prompted.

Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Regular PCs no longer get security updates unless enrolled in Extended Security Updates (ESU). If your PC qualifies, upgrading to Windows 11 is free (see below).

Types of Windows updates

Update type	How often	What it does
Quality (cumulative) updates	Monthly, on the second Tuesday (“Patch Tuesday”)	Security fixes and bug fixes. Install these promptly.
Optional preview updates	Later in the month	Early access to next month’s non-security fixes
Feature updates	About once a year	New version of Windows 11, such as 24H2 or 25H2
Driver updates	As released	Hardware drivers, often listed under Optional updates
Microsoft Defender updates	Daily	Virus definitions, installed automatically

How to get the newest Windows 11 version

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update.
2. Turn on Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available if you want new features sooner.
3. Click Check for updates. If a feature update is ready for your PC, you’ll see Download and install under it.

Microsoft rolls out feature updates in stages, so it may take weeks to reach your PC. To check your current version, press Windows + R, type winver, and press Enter. See how to find out which Windows version you have.

How to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11

1. Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
2. If your PC is eligible, you’ll see Upgrade to Windows 11 is ready. Click Download and install.
3. If you don’t see it, download the free PC Health Check app from Microsoft to see whether your PC meets the requirements.
4. Eligible PCs can also use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant from Microsoft’s Download Windows 11 page.

Common blockers are TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot being turned off. See how to enable Secure Boot for Windows 11.

How to update drivers

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates.
2. Expand Driver updates, check the ones you want, and click Download & install.

For graphics cards, get the latest driver from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel. For laptops, your manufacturer’s support app, such as Dell SupportAssist, HP Support Assistant, or Lenovo Vantage, often has the best drivers.

How to update Microsoft Store apps

Open the Microsoft Store, click Library (or Downloads), and click Get updates. Apps from other sources update on their own or through their own menus.

Control when updates install

• Active hours: In Advanced options > Active hours, set the hours you usually use your PC. Windows won’t restart automatically during them.
• Pause updates: On the Windows Update page, choose Pause for 1 week, up to 5 weeks. You’ll need to install updates before pausing again.
• Notify me when a restart is required: Turn this on in Advanced options so a restart never catches you off guard.
• Metered connections: Windows limits downloads on metered connections. Turn on Download updates over metered connections in Advanced options if you want them anyway.

We don’t recommend turning off updates permanently. Security updates protect your PC from attacks.

Update stuck or failed? Try these fixes

1. Wait. Large updates can sit at a percentage for a long time. Give it at least an hour before intervening.
2. Restart and click Check for updates again.
3. Free up space. Updates need several GB. Go to Settings > System > Storage and run Cleanup recommendations.
4. Run the troubleshooter. See how to run the Windows Update troubleshooter, or use the Get Help app’s Windows Update troubleshooter on newer Windows 11 versions.
5. Unplug extra devices like external drives and docks.
6. Note the error code (like 0x800f0922) in Update history and search Microsoft’s support site for it.
7. Reinstall Windows without losing files. In Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using Windows Update > Reinstall now.

How to uninstall a bad update

Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates, then click Uninstall next to the update. If Windows won’t start, use Advanced startup > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall Updates.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a Windows update take?

Monthly updates usually take 10 to 30 minutes, including a restart. Feature updates can take 30 minutes to over an hour.

Is it safe to turn off my PC during an update?

Avoid it. Turning off during “Working on updates” can cause errors. If it’s truly frozen for hours, hold the power button, and Windows will usually roll back the update.

Do Windows updates delete my files?

No. Updates keep your files and apps. Still, keep a backup in case something goes wrong.

Why does my PC say “Some settings are managed by your organization”?

A work or school policy controls updates. Talk to your IT department before changing update settings on a work PC.