How can I update my Microsoft Windows computer?

Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 To turn on Automatic Updates yourself, follow these steps: Open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen (or, if you're using a mouse, by pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up), then tapping or clicking Settings, tapping or clicking Change PC settings, and then tapping or clicking Update and recovery. Tap or click Choose how updates get installed. Under Important updates, select the option that you want. Under Recommended updates, select the Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates check box, and then click Apply. Windows Vista and Windows 7 To turn on Automatic Updates yourself, follow these steps: Click Start, type Windows update in the search box, and then click Windows Update in the Programs list. In the left pane, click Change settings. Select the option that you want. Under Recommended updates, select the Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates or Include recommended updates when downloading, installing, or notifying me about updates check box, and then click OK. Windows XP To turn on Automatic Updates yourself, follow these steps: Click Start, click Run, type sysdm.cpl, and then press ENTER. Click the Automatic Updates tab, and then click to select one of the following options. We recommend that you select the Automatic (recommended) Automatically download recommended updates for my computer and install them option. Automatic (recommended) Automatically download recommended updates for my computer and install them If you select this option, Windows recognizes when you are online and uses your Internet connection to find updates on the Windows Update Web site or on the Microsoft Update Web site that apply to your computer. Updates are downloaded automatically in the background, and you are not notified or interrupted during this process. An icon appears in the notification area of your taskbar when the updates are being downloaded. You can point to the icon to view the download status. When the download is complete, you receive another message in the notification area so that you can review the updates that are scheduled for installation. Click to select the day and time for scheduled updates to download and install. You can schedule Automatic Updates for any time of day. However, your computer must be on at the scheduled time for updates to be installed. You can choose to install the updates as soon as they are finished downloading. To do this, click the download message (or update icon), and then click Install. If you choose not to install the updates when they finish downloading, Windows starts the installation on your set schedule. Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them If you select this option, Windows recognizes when you are online and uses your Internet connection to automatically download updates from the Windows Update Web site or from the Microsoft Update Web site. An icon appears in the notification area of your taskbar when the updates are being downloaded. You can point to the icon to view the download status. When the download is complete, you receive another message in the notification area so that you can review the updates that are scheduled for installation. When you want to install the downloaded update, click the message (or update icon), and then click Install to install the update. If you do not want to install a downloaded update, click Details, and then click to clear the check box next to that update to decline it. Notify me but don't automatically download or install them If you select this option, Windows recognizes when you are online and uses your Internet connection to search for downloads from the Windows Update Web site or from the Microsoft Update Web site. An Automatic Updates icon and message appear in the notification area of your taskbar when new updates are available to download or to install. Click the icon or message to view the updates. If you do not want to download a selected update, click to clear the check box next to that update to decline it. Click Start Download to download the selected updates. The Automatic Updates icon remains in the notification area of your taskbar while the updates are being downloaded. You can point to the icon to view the download status. When the download is complete, you receive another message in the notification area stating that the updates are ready to install. Click the Automatic Updates icon or the message, and then click Install to install the updates. Click OK. read less

The best way to make sure your PC is up to date, is to turn on automatic updates. With automatic updating, you don’t have to search for updates online or worry that critical fixes or device drivers for Windows might be missing from your PC. Windows Update automatically installs important updates as they become available. Note If your PC is connected to a network where updates are managed by Group Policy, you might not be able to make changes to settings related to Windows Update. For more info, contact your organization’s support person. To turn on automatic updates in Windows 10: Note Windows 10 is a service, which means automatic updates are turned on by default and your PC always has the latest and best features. 1.Select the Start button Windows logo icon , then select Settings Settings icon > Update & security Windows Update. If you want to check for updates manually, select Check for updates. 2. Select Advanced options, and then under Choose how updates are installed, select Automatic (recommended). To turn on automatic updates in Windows 8.1: 1. Open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen (or, if you're using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up), select Settings > Change PC settings > Update and recovery > Windows Update. If you want to check for updates manually, select Check now. 2. Select Choose how updates get installed, and then under Important updates, select Install updates automatically (recommended). 3. Under Recommended updates, select the Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates check box. 4.Under Microsoft Update, select the Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows check box, and then select Apply. To turn on automatic updates in Windows 7: 1.Select the Start button The Start button . In the search box, enter Update, and then, in the list of results, select Windows Update. 2.In the left pane, select Change settings, and then under Important updates, select Install updates automatically (recommended). 3.Under Recommended updates, select the Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates check box, and then select OK. ? How long does it take to download updates to my PC? The amount of time it takes to download updates can depend on a number of factors, including connection speed, network settings, and the size of the update. Make sure your PC is plugged in and connected to the Internet in order to shorten the amount of time it takes to download updates. ? How do I see what updates are installed on my PC? An update history is available so you can see which updates were installed and when. You can also use this list to remove specific updates, but it’s usually not a good idea to remove them unless you have a specific reason. To see update history in Windows 10: •Select the Start button Windows logo icon , then select Settings Settings icon > Windows Update > Advanced options > View your update history. For more info about what’s included in updates for ?Windows 10, see ?Windows 10? update history. To see update history in Windows 8.1: • Open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen (or, if you're using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up), select Settings > Change PC settings > Update and recovery > Windows Update > View your update history. To see update history in Windows 7: •Select the Start button The Start button , then select Control Panel > Programs, and then under Programs and Features, select View installed updates. ? How do I remove an installed update? We don’t recommend that you remove any installed updates. However, if you need to remove an update, you can do so from the update history. To remove an update in Windows 10: 1. Select the Start button Windows logo icon , then select Settings Settings icon > Update & security > Windows Update > Advanced options > View your update history > Uninstall updates. 2.Select the update you want to remove, and then select Uninstall. To remove an update in Windows 8.1: 1.Open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen (or, if you're using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up), select Settings > Change PC settings > Update and recovery > Windows Update > View your update history. 2.Select the update you want to remove, and then select Uninstall. To see update history in Windows 7: 1.Select the Start button The Start button , then select Control Panel > Programs, and then under Programs and Features, select View installed updates. 2.Select the update you want to remove, and then select Uninstall. read less