Articles in Category: Windows Update

Windows 11 with a large "UNDO" key over it.

How Do I Go Back to Windows 10 From Windows 11?

Yes, you can still go back to Windows 10 from Windows 11. It just may not be easy.

Working on updates

How Do I Fix Windows Update?

Windows Update can get confused or stuck. I'll review ways to fix Windows Update, including what I refer to as the nuclear option.

Working On Updates

Are Automatic Updates a Good Thing?

Unless you're willing to pay a lot of attention on a very regular basis, automatic updates are an important part of keeping your machine safe.

Please wait.

How Do I Force the Latest Windows Feature Update?

Windows feature updates are supposed to be delivered in a somewhat timely fashion. If not, or if you're just impatient, you can force the issue.

Working On Updates

Why Do Updates Sometimes Take Forever in Windows?

On occasion, Windows Updates can seem to take forever. Here's what to look for and what to do when that happens.

Update

How Do I Make Sure Windows is Really, Completely Up to Date?

Keeping Windows up to date is normally handled cleanly by Windows itself. There are times you may want to force the issue to ensure your machine is as up to date as possible.

Windows Update

Should I Avoid Windows Update? It Burned Me

After a bad experience with Windows Update, it's tempting to bail on the idea completely. Unfortunately, that can leave your machine vulnerable to malware.

What is Windows 10 End of Service?

Why You’re Being Warned About Windows 10 End of Service and What to Do About It

Windows 10 warns when it's coming to "end of service", but what does that mean if Windows 10 is always being updated?

Windows Update - up to date!

How Do I Make Sure Windows Is Up to Date?

The best way to make sure Windows 10 is up to date is to let it do the job for you automatically. I'll discuss why you want it to and what options you have.

Windows Update - You're up to date!

Avoiding Windows 10 Update Restarts at Inopportune Times – Simple Solutions Avoiding Hacks

Windows Update has been known to cause Windows restarts at inopportune times. I'll outline the approach I recommend to keep restarts in control.

Working on updates

How Important Is It to Seek Out and Take Updates?

We need updates, yet they can cause problems. How aggressively should you update your Windows 10 machine?

Working On Updates

How Often Is Windows 10 Updated?

Windows 10 is updated fairly frequently, but not all of those updates are the same. I'll review what happens when.

Uninstallable Updates in Windows 10

Do All These Software Updates Take Up More and More Disk Space?

Staying up to date is an important part of staying safe. Sometimes that means disk space is slowly used for more and more updates -- and sometimes not.

Update

Are Updates Free?

It's important to develop a sense of what to expect so you recognize legitimate update messages.

Windows 10 is Up To Date!

How Do I Know What Updates to Install?

Unless you have a specific reason not to, the best approach to taking updates is to take them all. I'll review why, and how to protect yourself in case something goes wrong.

Unsupported hardware notification

Why is Windows Complaining About Unsupported Hardware?

Unsupported hardware because the CPU is too new? It's a scenario some users of older Windows versions can experience. There are a couple of solutions.

Should I Install the Latest Windows 10 Update?

Should I Install the Latest Windows 10 Update?

My take on the latest Windows update and your options therein.

Update in Progress

How Do I Clean Up After Windows Update Breaks Other Applications?

Software rot can result in odd behavior, including a Windows update causing other software to fail. Here's one approach to try to get things working again.

Frustration

Why Do Windows Updates Mess Up My Computer?

We hear of Windows Update messing up computers. I'll look through one scenario and offer some advice and a reminder: it's not your fault.

Disk Cleanup Warning

How Do I Clean Up After Windows Update?

What Windows Update leaves behind isn't trash at all, but rather files with a specific purpose.

Windows Update Troubleshooter

How Do I Get the Windows 10 Creators Update 1709 to Install?

Every Windows 10 update should just work. Unfortunately, for some, they just don't.

SC Service Startup Disable

How Do I Disable Windows Updates in Windows 10 Home?

Windows 10 Home edition gives you little control of Windows Update. I do have a fairly large hammer you can use.

Windows Update

Will Microsoft Stop Forcing Windows 10 Updates?

While it is frustrating, Microsoft doesn't give us as much control over Windows 10 updates as we might like.

The Update is Here

Get the Windows 10 Creators Update Now, If You Like

If you're eager to get the newly released Windows 10 Creators Update, I'll show you how.

Active Hours interface

How Do I Keep Windows Update from Rebooting While I Use My Computer?

You can keep Windows Update from rebooting for certain key hours of the day, within limits... and as long as you're not a work-a-holic.

Microsoft Update Install Updates

Do I Need Everything Installed by Microsoft Update?

Microsoft Update works hard to make sure your system is up to date and safe - especially safe. It's generally not a good idea to second guess it.

Windows Update - Downloading Windows 8.1 Update

How Do I Get the Required Windows 8.1 Update?

I received a question that pointed me to an article on a reputable mainstream press site discussing the Windows 8.1 Update that Microsoft recently rolled out. The update will become the new baseline for Windows 8 and within a month or so, it'll be required in order to receive continued updates. Their article's  headline compared getting the ... Read more

Update!

Can I Delete Old Updates?

It all really boils down to how updates are applied. Some you can delete, others you should not. I'll review the different types.

Downloading Patch

Is there Software that Will Allow Me to Keep All the Software on My Machine Up to Date?

It's important to keep software up to date, and there are several ways to do it. But when it comes to drivers... be careful!

What is InstallShield and Do I Need its Update Service?

InstallShield is a component to help keep your computer up to date. We'll walk through how it ended up on your computer and how you can manage it.

Managing Windows Update

Windows Update is a silent and key workhorse in keeping your machine safe and secure from the latest threats and bugs. It's a good idea to check in on Windows Update once in a while to make sure things are as they should be, and operating according to your wishes.