Published on: January 282020 Updated 4 times since publishing
Short on time? Here’s how to update Windows 10 and 11 in 2026 in 3 simple steps:
- Find Windows Update in your settings. The steps vary slightly between Windows 10 and 11but 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 updatesthe download will start automaticallybut 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your computer safe from the latest malware and other internet security threatswhich often target vulnerabilities in outdated software.
Windows 10 and 11 both update automatically by defaultbut 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 saidsystem updates aren’t enough to fully protect you from online threats. To get the best protectionyou should pair regular updates of your Windows software with a quality antivirus like Nortonwhich offers 100% malware detection and removalexcellent web protectionand more.
How to Update Windows 10
Windows 10 will automatically download and install updates in the background. When a restart is requiredWindows will warn you beforehand and let you decide whether to restart immediately or later. Keep in mind that if you postpone the restart too longWindows will eventually require one.
That saidyou 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. Hereyou can click the Check for updates button. Windows will now check for any available updates.
5. If there are updates availablethey’ll start downloading automatically. After downloadingyou’ll see an Install button. Click it to install the updates.
6. Restart if required — some updates may require a restart. If promptedclick 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 exampleyou can set your active hours so Windows doesn’t restart during times you’re typically using your device. In the Windows Update sectionclick on Change active hours and set the time window that suits you.
8. Once the updates are installedyou 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 saidthere are some minor differences in the interfaceso 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 Menuselect the gear icon (Settings)or search for “Settings” in the search bar and click on it.
3. In the Settings windowscroll down and click on Windows Update in the left-hand panel.
4. Hereyou can click the Check for updates button. Windows will now check for any available updates.
5. If there are updates availablethey’ll start downloading automatically. Once they’ve downloadedyou’ll see an Install buttonwhich you can click to install the updates.
6. Restart if required — some updates require a restart. If you get a prompt to restart your computerclick 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 PCyou can adjust your settings accordingly. Firstclick on Advanced options on the Windows Update screen.
8. From the Advanced optionsselect 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 installedyou can click Check for updates again to ensure there are no more pending. If your system is up to dateyou’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 evolvesand your operating system has to keep up. Older versions of Windows may not be supported by Microsoftincreasing your risk of contracting viruses and other malicious programs. Some updates patch security holesmaking 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 computercause crashesor 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 productivityintroduce a wider variety of customization optionsand 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.
Overallregular updates are vital for securityperformanceand functionalityensuring 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 screenselecting 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 updatesincluding driver updates and feature previews. These aren’t installed automaticallyso you can check for them manually. On Windows 10the View optional updates option is on the Windows Update screenwhile 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 correctlyWindows has a built-in troubleshooter. On Windows 10go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters. On Windows 11go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Thenselect Windows Update to run the troubleshooter. This can help to resolve common issues with stuck or failed updates.
- Free up space before updating. Major updateslike new versions of Windowscan require a significant amount of storage. You should make sure you have sufficient spaceespecially 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 Senseor 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 downloadedyou 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 temporarilyboth 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 installedwhich 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 connectionand 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 smoothlythere’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 importantupdates alone aren’t enough to fully protect your computer. Regular updates can patch vulnerabilities and improve overall securitybut they don’t provide comprehensive protection against all types of cyber threats.
For this reasonI 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 systemsand an antivirus provides an added layer of defense by actively scanning for malicious activitysuspicious filesand unsafe sites.
What’s morea quality antivirus can detect and neutralize threats from external sources like USB drivesemail attachmentsor downloadsmeaning that your system remains safe. Many antiviruses also offer extra features to further protect your online security and privacysuch as firewallspassword managersand VPNs (Norton has all these and much more).
Overallif you rely solely on Windows updatesyou 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 protectionminimizing the risk of infections and breaches and keeping your data secure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need to update Windows?
Yesit’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 systemaccessing your private informationor deploying hidden malware to track your activity.
ThankfullyMicrosoft has made updating your PC or laptop pretty easybut you can follow our step-by-step guide to ensure you’ve properly updated your system.
Do I have to pay for Windows updates?
Noyou don’t have to pay for Windows updates. If you already have Windows 10 installedyou don’t have to pay for Windows 10-related updates.
Howeverif 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 saidif you’re running the most up-to-date version of Windows 10you 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 automaticallyand they will alert you if an update is ready to install. Howeveryou can also manually check for Windows updates by following my steps above.
Does Microsoft still provide Windows 78and 8.1 updates?
NoMicrosoft no longer provides updates for any of these versions. While it’s still possible to use Windows 78and 8.1users will become increasingly vulnerable to malware and other cyberattacks.
If you still use these outdated versions of WindowsI highly recommend you to upgrade to a newer version of Windowssuch as Windows 10 or 11which both provide regular software and system security updates.