How to Check for Windows Updates

Windows updates fix security vulnerabilities, patch bugs, and sometimes add new features to your computer. Microsoft releases updates regularly, and keeping your computer updated is one of the most important things you can do to stay safe online. Outdated computers are much more vulnerable to viruses and hackers.

To check for updates, click the Start button (the Windows icon in the bottom-left or bottom-center of your screen) and then click the gear icon to open Settings. In Settings, click "Windows Update" from the left sidebar. On this page, you will see whether your computer is up to date or if updates are available.

Click the "Check for updates" button. Windows will connect to Microsoft's servers and look for any available updates. This process takes a minute or two. If updates are found, they will begin downloading automatically. Some updates are small and install quickly, while others — especially feature updates — can take 30 minutes or more.

After updates download, you may need to restart your computer to complete the installation. Windows will show a "Restart now" button, or you can schedule the restart for a time that works better for you by clicking "Schedule the restart" and picking a time when you will not be using the computer.

You can also check your update history to see what has been installed recently. On the Windows Update page, click "Update history" to see a list of all recent updates, including security updates, driver updates, and feature updates.

If an update fails to install, try checking for updates again — sometimes a second attempt succeeds. If it keeps failing, note the update number (it starts with KB followed by numbers) and search for it on Microsoft's support website for specific troubleshooting steps.

Windows is set to download updates automatically by default. However, it is good practice to manually check at least once a month to make sure nothing was missed, especially if you do not leave your computer on overnight when automatic updates usually run.