Updated on: September 19, 2024
Short on time? Here’s how to update Windows 10 and 11 in 2024 in 3 simple steps:
- Find Windows Update in your settings. The steps vary slightly between Windows 10 and 11, but it’s a very simple process that’s laid out below.
- Choose Check for Updates. Click on Check for Updates to see if there are any updates available.
- Download and install any available updates. If there are available updates, the download will start automatically, but you’ll need to click the Install button and restart your computer if prompted.
Your computer is much more vulnerable when its operating system is out of date. Updates help keep your computer safe from the latest malware and other internet security threats, which often target vulnerabilities in outdated software.
Windows 10 and 11 both update automatically by default, but it’s also fast and easy to check for and install updates manually if you need to. Our step-by-step guides below will walk you through the process of updating your PC to keep your system as secure as possible.
That said, system updates aren’t enough to fully protect you from online threats. To get the best protection, you should pair regular updates of your Windows software with a quality antivirus like Norton, which offers 100% malware detection and removal, excellent web protection, and more.
How to Update Windows 10
Windows 10 will automatically download and install updates in the background. When a restart is required, Windows will warn you beforehand and let you decide whether to restart immediately or later. Keep in mind that if you postpone the restart too long, Windows will eventually require one.
That said, you can still manually check for new changes by following these steps:
1. Open the Start menu. Click the Start button (Windows logo) in the bottom-left corner of your screen or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
2. Go to Settings (the gear icon in the Start menu).
3. Navigate to Update & Security (it’s usually the last option). The Windows Update tab will open by default.
4. Here, you can click the Check for updates button. Windows will now check for any available updates.
5. If there are updates available, they’ll start downloading automatically. After downloading, you’ll see an Install button. Click it to install the updates.
6. Restart if required — some updates may require a restart. If prompted, click on Restart now to complete the installation.
7. Optional: Change your active hours. If you want to avoid unexpected restarts during your work hours for example, you can set your active hours so Windows doesn’t restart during times you’re typically using your device. In the Windows Update section, click on Change active hours and set the time window that suits you.
8. Once the updates are installed, you can confirm everything’s done by clicking Check for updates again. You should see a message saying your device is up to date if there are no more updates available.
How to Update Windows 11
The process for Windows 11 is basically the same as with Windows 10. That said, there are some minor differences in the interface, so I’ll take you through the process:
1. Open the Start menu by clicking the Start button (Windows logo) in the taskbar or pressing the Windows key on your keyboard.
2. In the Start Menu, select the gear icon (Settings), or search for “Settings” in the search bar and click on it.
3. In the Settings window, scroll down and click on Windows Update in the left-hand panel.
4. Here, you can click the Check for updates button. Windows will now check for any available updates.
5. If there are updates available, they’ll start downloading automatically. Once they’ve downloaded, you’ll see an Install button, which you can click to install the updates.
6. Restart if required — some updates require a restart. If you get a prompt to restart your computer, click on Restart now to complete the installation.
7. Optional: Set your active hours. If you’d like to avoid inconvenient update-related restarts during the hours you use your PC, you can adjust your settings accordingly. First, click on Advanced options on the Windows Update screen.
8. From the Advanced options, select Active hours and set a time range when you’re typically using your device.
9. Confirm you’re up to date. Once all updates are installed, you can click Check for updates again to ensure there are no more pending. If your system is up to date, you’ll see a confirmation message.
Why Do I Need to Update My Operating System?
There are good reasons why Microsoft and other OS developers push for updates. Taking the time to perfect your system’s update settings is worth doing for the following reasons:
- Updates provide essential security patches. Malware evolves, and your operating system has to keep up. Older versions of Windows may not be supported by Microsoft, increasing your risk of contracting viruses and other malicious programs. Some updates patch security holes, making it harder for cybercriminals to perform exploit attacks and steal your personal information.
- Updates improve performance and fix bugs. Outdated software can slow down your computer, cause crashes, or lead to glitches that interfere with your daily tasks. Updates often include optimizations to keep your system running smoothly and efficiently.
- Feature updates offer new tools and enhancements. New features can improve productivity, introduce a wider variety of customization options, and extend the overall functionality of your PC.
- Updates ensure compatibility with newer apps and devices. This reduces the risk of running into problems when installing or using the latest software.
Overall, regular updates are vital for security, performance, and functionality, ensuring your Windows system operates at its best.
What Else Should I Do to Ensure My PC Stays Up-to-Date?
There are a few other things to consider when it comes to managing Windows updates. Here are some simple tips you can follow to manage updates efficiently and minimize interruptions:
- Set updates to install automatically. Windows 10 and Windows 11 are set to automatically download and install important updates by default. Keeping this setting ensures you receive security patches and performance improvements without needing to remember to check manually. You can verify or adjust this by going to the Windows Update screen, selecting Advanced options, and checking the updates are set to automatically install.
- Keep an eye on optional updates. Both Windows 10 and Windows 11 offer optional updates, including driver updates and feature previews. These aren’t installed automatically, so you can check for them manually. On Windows 10, the View optional updates option is on the Windows Update screen, while on Windows 11 you’ll need to select Advanced options. Note that you should only install driver updates or feature updates if you notice performance issues — unnecessary drivers can sometimes introduce bugs.
- Use Windows Update Troubleshooter for issues. If updates fail to download or install correctly, Windows has a built-in troubleshooter. On Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters. On Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Then, select Windows Update to run the troubleshooter. This can help to resolve common issues with stuck or failed updates.
- Free up space before updating. Major updates, like new versions of Windows, can require a significant amount of storage. You should make sure you have sufficient space, especially if you’re installing a feature update (e.g. a yearly version update). You can clean up unnecessary files using the Storage Sense tool: go to Settings > System > Storage and turn on Storage Sense, or use the Free up space now link to manually delete temporary files.
- Schedule restarts for updates. Both Windows 10 and 11 let you schedule restarts after updates so you’re not interrupted while you’re using your PC. After updates are downloaded, you can select Schedule the restart under the Windows Update settings to choose a more convenient time.
- Use Pause updates (temporarily delay updates). If you want to delay updates temporarily, both Windows 10 and 11 allow you to pause them for up to 35 days. Go to the Windows Update screen and look for the Pause updates option. You can select a period during which you don’t want updates installed, which is handy if you’re working on something important and don’t want the interruption of an update or restart.
- Use metered connections to control updates. If you’re using a limited internet connection (e.g. mobile data or metered Wi-Fi), you can set the connection as metered to prevent automatic downloads of large updates. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet), click on your connection, and toggle on Set as metered connection.
- Back up files before major updates. It’s a good idea to back up important files before major updates (like version upgrades). While updates usually go smoothly, there’s always a small risk of system issues. You can save your important files to an external drive to ensure they’re safe.
Will Updating My System Keep Me Safe From All Malware Threats?
Unfortunately not — malware threats are constantly evolving and becoming more sophisticated. While keeping your Windows system up to date is definitely very important, updates alone aren’t enough to fully protect your computer. Regular updates can patch vulnerabilities and improve overall security, but they don’t provide comprehensive protection against all types of cyber threats.
For this reason, I highly recommend investing in a reliable antivirus (like Norton). The best antiviruses for Windows offer real-time protection against all kinds of malware and use heuristic analysis to tackle evolving threats that system updates may not address immediately.
Remember that cybercriminals are continuously developing new ways to exploit Windows systems, and an antivirus provides an added layer of defense by actively scanning for malicious activity, suspicious files, and unsafe sites.
What’s more, a quality antivirus can detect and neutralize threats from external sources like USB drives, email attachments, or downloads, meaning that your system remains safe. Many antiviruses also offer extra features to further protect your online security and privacy, such as firewalls, password managers, and VPNs (Norton has all these and much more).
Overall, if you rely solely on Windows updates, you may still be exposed to zero-day attacks or threats that are not yet patched by Microsoft. Combining updates with a reputable antivirus gives you comprehensive protection, minimizing the risk of infections and breaches and keeping your data secure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need to update Windows?
Yes, it’s incredibly important to keep your Windows system updated.
Windows firmware updates include important bug fixes and security patches that prevent hackers from exploiting your system, accessing your private information, or deploying hidden malware to track your activity.
Thankfully, Microsoft has made updating your PC or laptop pretty easy, but you can follow our step-by-step guide to ensure you’ve properly updated your system.
Do I have to pay for Windows updates?
No, you don’t have to pay for Windows updates. If you already have Windows 10 installed, you don’t have to pay for Windows 10-related updates.
However, if you want to upgrade to a newer version of Windows (e.g. from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 or Windows 10 to Windows 11), there is usually a cost. That said, if you’re running the most up-to-date version of Windows 10, you can upgrade to Windows 11 for free.
How do I know if I need to update my PC?
Windows 10 and 11 systems are set to update automatically, and they will alert you if an update is ready to install. However, you can also manually check for Windows updates by following my steps above.
Does Microsoft still provide Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 updates?
No, Microsoft no longer provides updates for any of these versions. While it’s still possible to use Windows 7, 8, and 8.1, users will become increasingly vulnerable to malware and other cyberattacks.
If you still use these outdated versions of Windows, I highly recommend you to upgrade to a newer version of Windows, such as Windows 10 or 11, which both provide regular software and system security updates.