How Do I Update Windows?
Like any software, operating systems need updates to ensure that they’re in tip-top condition. These days, during the Internet age, and with an ever increasing number of cybersecurity threats it’s now more important than ever to ensure that you PC is kept up to date.
Windows usually downloads updates automatically (by default, unless you change the setting) and if you’re computer is set to ask you permission prior to installing the update, it’ll usually bug you each time you go to restart your computer and also at regular intervals whilst you’re using your machine – getting more and more invasive the more you ignore it. And with good reason – updates not only deliver you the best performance but also ensure that you PC is kept secure from malware and other nasties.
Updating Windows Manually
To check for updates and/or trigger a manual update, follow these simple steps.
- Click the Start Button
2. Click the ‘Settings’ button on the start menu. It has a cog icon next to it:
This will open up the setting dialog:
From here, select ‘Update and Security’:
The Windows Update (usually displayed by default when you click into the Update & Security menu:
Click the ‘Check for updates’ button:
Windows will then let you know that it’s checking for updates:
If updates are found, these will start preparing for download:
If updates are found, these will then start downloading:
Some updates are small (maybe a few hundred kilobytes), some are large – sometimes up to a couple of gigabytes. The larger the update, the longer the download will take. The faster your internet connection, the quicker the updates will download.
Once download, these will change to ‘Pending install’:
Once all updates have completed downloading, installation will then begin:
Once an update has finished installing it will often show as ‘Pending restart’:
What this means is that the update will not be fully completed until you next restart your PC. Whilst you don’t have to restart straight away, it makes sense to do so at your earliest convenience or at the end of the day.
Please note, that during the download and installation process you may minimise the settings pane or close it completly and Windows will carry on the update process that you’ve started in the background whilst you continue using your PC.
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