In Windows 11, you decide when and how to get the latest updates to keep your device running smoothly and securely. When you update, you'll get the latest fixes and security improvements, helping your device run windows 8.1 windows update checking for updates stuck free download and stay protected. In most cases, restarting your device completes the update.
Make sure your device is plugged in when you know updates will be installed. If other questions come up when you update Windows 11, here are some other areas that might interest you:.
How to reset your Microsoft account password. Activate Windows. When you only want info about updating Windows 11, you'll find answers to many of your questions here:.
When Windows 11 is ready for your device, it will be available to download and install from the Windows Update page in Settings.
Choose a time that works best for you to install the upgrade. You'll then need to restart your device and complete the installation. After that, your device will be running Windows Check for updates.
If a feature update is available for your device, it will appear separately on the Windows Update page. To install it, select Download and install now. Make sure that your device is connected to the internet. Downloading updates requires an internet connection. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter. Under Most frequentselect Windows Update. If the Troubleshooter doesn't fix the problem, see Troubleshoot problems updating Windows or Fix Windows Update errors.
The time required to download updates primarily depends on internet connection speed, network settings, and update size. Make sure your device is plugged in and connected to the internet to download updates faster.
Here's how to temporarily pause updates from being downloaded and installed. Note that after the pause limit is reached, you'll need to install the latest updates before you can pause updates again. Next to Pause updatesselect the pause length you prefer. To finish installing an update, your device will need to restart. Windows will try to restart your device when you're not using it. If it can't, you'll be asked to schedule the restart for a more convenient time.
Or, you can schedule anytime by following these steps:. Select Schedule the restart and choose a time that's convenient for you. You can set active hours to make sure automatic restarts for updates only happen when you're not using your device. Get updates when you're away from your PC with active hours in Windows. For more tips on freeing up disk space, see Free up drive space in Windows.
This way, if updates are installed outside active hours, your device will have enough power to complete the installation. 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, although we don't recommend this unless it's windows 8.1 windows update checking for updates stuck free download.
View update history. However, if you must remove an update, you can do so in update history. Feature updates are typically released twice per year and include new functionality and capabilities as well as potential fixes and security updates.
Quality updates are more frequent and mainly include small fixes and windows 8.1 windows update checking for updates stuck free download updates. Windows is designed to deliver both kinds of updates to devices through Windows Update. To find which version of Windows you're running, see Which version of Windows operating system am I running?
Reserved storage will be turned on for new devices with Windows 11 preinstalled, or devices on which a clean install of Windows 11 was performed.
In Windows 10, you decide when and how to get the latest updates to keep your device running smoothly and securely. If other questions come up when you update Windows 10, here are some other areas that might interest you:. Get started with Windows When you only want info about updating Windows 10, you'll find answers to many of your questions here:. When the Windows 10 November Update is ready for your device, it will be available to download and install from the Windows Update page in Settings.
Choose a time that works best for you to download the update. After that, your device will be running Windows 10, version 21H2. To get help updating to the latest version of Windows 10, go to the Microsoft software windows 8.1 windows update checking for updates stuck free download page and download the Update Assistant.
Under Get up and runningselect Windows Update. Then choose one of the following options:. Select Advanced options. Then, in the Pause updates section, select the drop-down menu and specify a date for updates to resume. Reserved storage is not automatically turned on by Windows in any update scenarios.
It is only turned on for new devices with the Windows 10 May Update version or later preinstalled, or devices on which a clean install was performed. The best way to keep Windows 8. Instead, Windows Update automatically installs important updates as they become available. If you want to check for updates manually, select Check now. Note: If your PC is connected to a network where updates are managed by Group Policy, you might not be able to change settings related to Windows Update.
To check for updates manually, select Check now. Make sure that your PC is connected to the internet. See the Fix Windows Update errors guided walkthrough to try to fix the problem. Learn more. See How to download a Windows update manually. Under Programs and Featuresselect View installed updates. Note: If your PC is connected to a network where updates are managed by Group Policy, you might be unable to change settings related to Windows Update.
Windows 11 Windows 10 Windows 8. Check for updates If a feature update is available for your device, it windows 8.1 windows update checking for updates stuck free download appear separately on the Windows Update page. I'm having trouble installing updates or getting an error such as 0x What I can do?
Here are a few things you can try if you're having trouble installing updates: Make sure that your device is connected to the internet. Check for updates Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter. How can I stop updates from downloading and installing? Can I skip updates? How do I make sure my device restarts to install updates at a convenient time? Select the update you want to remove, then select Uninstall.
What is the difference between a feature and quality update? What is the best way to make sure my device is up to date?
Will reserved storage be turned on for devices that upgrade to Windows 11? Check for updates To get help updating to the windows 8.1 windows update checking for updates stuck free download version of Windows 10, go to windows 8.1 windows update checking for updates stuck free download Microsoft software download page and download the Update Assistant. Then choose one of the following options: Select Pause updates for 7 days.
Will reserved storage be turned on for devices that update to the Windows 10 November Update version 21H2? Support for Windows 7 ended on January 14, We recommend you move to a Windows 11 PC to continue to receive security updates from Microsoft.
Here are some things you can try if you're having problems installing updates: Make sure that your PC is connected to the internet. Need more help? Join the discussion.
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