Manage updates in Windows - Microsoft Support (2024)

Windows 11 offers you the choice of when and how to get the latest updates to keep your device running smoothly and securely. If you're not ready to get recommended updates, you can choose to temporarily pause them from being downloaded and installed.

  1. Select Start> Settings>Windows Update.

  2. Select the amount of time you'd like to pause for.

    Note:After the pause limit is reached, you'll need to install the latest updates before you can pause updates again.

Your device will need to restart to finish installing updates. If you're asked to restart your device while you're busy using it, you can schedule the restart for a more convenient time:

  1. Select Start> Settings>Windows Update.

  2. SelectSchedule the restartand choose a time that's convenient for you.

    Note:You can set active hours to make sure your device only restarts for updates when you're not using your PC. Get updates when you're away from your PC with active hours in Windows

Open Windows Update

Windows 10 offers you the choice of when and how to get the latest updates to keep your device running smoothly and securely. If you're not ready to get recommended updates, you can choose to temporarily pause them from being downloaded and installed. In Windows 10, version 1903 (or later), Windows 10 Pro, version 1809, or Windows 10 Enterprise, version 1809:

  1. Select Start> Settings> Update & Security > Windows Update .

  2. Select either Pause updates for 7 days or Advanced options. Then, in the Pause updates section, select the drop-down menu and specify a date for updates to resume.

    Note:After the pause limit is reached, you'll need to install the latest updates before you can pause updates again.

Your device will need to restart to finish installing updates. If you're asked to restart your device while you're busy using it, you can schedule the restart for a more convenient time:

  1. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update .

  2. SelectSchedule the restartand choose a time that's convenient for you.

    Note:You can set active hours to make sure your device only restarts for updates when you're not using your PC. Get updates when you're away from your PC with active hours in Windows

Open Windows Update

Manage updates in Windows - Microsoft Support (2024)

FAQs

Manage updates in Windows - Microsoft Support? ›

WSUS provides system administrators with the ability to control and manage every facet of updating, patching and hotfixing of Microsoft OS and software products.

Which services are responsible for managing Windows updates? ›

WSUS provides system administrators with the ability to control and manage every facet of updating, patching and hotfixing of Microsoft OS and software products.

What service runs Windows updates? ›

Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)

How do I manage Microsoft store updates? ›

In the Microsoft Store app, select Profile (your account photo) > Settings. Make sure App updates is turned On.

How do I access Microsoft updates? ›

Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update , and then select Check for updates.

What has replaced WSUS? ›

As the top alternative to WSUS, NinjaOne improves patch compliance with 360-degree visibility from a powerful, intuitive patching dashboard. This allows your team to proactively monitor all your managed endpoints and patch hundreds of common business applications across multiple platforms at scale.

What is Microsoft Patch Management? ›

Windows patch management (or Windows patching process) involves updating and maintaining the Windows operating system and its related software applications to ensure security, stability and performance of Windows-based environment.

What are the two types of Windows updates? ›

The service provides several kinds of updates. Security updates or critical updates mitigate vulnerabilities against security exploits against Microsoft Windows. Cumulative updates are updates that bundle multiple updates, both new and previously released updates.

What is the difference between WSUS and SCCM? ›

WSUS focuses on software updates, while SCCM offers advanced features and control over patch deployment and endpoint management. Easy2Patch patch manager simplifies patch management with intuitive controls and comprehensive functionality.

Is WSUS still used? ›

For organizations that still utilize a traditional on-prem network, WSUS is still a viable option to ensure the job gets done. For those companies with MDM-managed devices or have computers dispersed across a wide geographical area, Windows Update for Business may be a better option.

How do I change Windows Update settings? ›

To do this, users must go to Settings > Update & security > Windows Update. If this setting is set to Not Configured, an administrator can still configure Automatic Updates through the settings app, under Settings > Update & security > Windows Update > Advanced options.

Where are Microsoft updates stored? ›

The Update Cache is a special folder that stores update installation files. It is located at the root of your system drive, in C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download.

How do I control Windows Update Group Policy? ›

To enable Microsoft Updates, use the Group Policy Management Console go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Configure Automatic Updates and select Install updates for other Microsoft products.

How do I check for Windows Update problems? ›

Run the built-in Windows Update troubleshooter to fix common issues. Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Windows Update.

Does Microsoft automatically Update? ›

Updates will install automatically, but you can choose a convenient time for your device to restart and complete the update. If you don't want to wait for automatic updates to use the latest version of Windows, open Windows Update settings and select Check for updates.

Which file is responsible for managing services on a Windows computer? ›

The 'services. msc' file on a Windows computer is used to manage the system services, providing users with a way to operate and configure them according to their requirements. The services. msc file is responsible for managing services on a Windows computer.

Which tool is used to manage services in Windows? ›

Windows Service Manager is a small tool that simplifies all common tasks related to Windows services. It can create services (both Win32 and Legacy Driver) without restarting Windows, delete existing services and change service configuration. It has both GUI and Command-line modes.

What is the Windows Service Manager? ›

Service Manager provides an integrated platform for automating and adapting your organization's IT service management best practices, such as those found in Microsoft Operations Framework (MOF) and Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL).

What is Windows Time Service responsible for? ›

The Windows Time service is designed to synchronize the clocks of computers on a network. The network time synchronization process, also called time convergence, occurs throughout a network as each computer accesses time from a more accurate time server.

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