Windows automatic updating: Frequently asked questions

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. You can also set Windows Update to install recommended updates automatically or just let you know that they're available. You can also choose whether to turn on Microsoft Update, which delivers updates for other Microsoft products. Optional updates, which include things like language packs and updates from Microsoft Update, aren't installed automatically.

If you didn't turn on automatic updating when you first started using your PC, you can change your settings any time in Windows Update in Control Panel.

If you use automatic updating, you won't need to check for important and recommended updates at all. Windows Update will check for these updates and install them when they're ready.

If you don't use automatic updating, you should check for updates yourself at least once every week. We usually release important updates once a month. However, updates could be released at any time.

No matter what your settings are, some updates aren't installed automatically. This includes optional updates and updates that require you to accept new terms of use. When these updates are available, Windows Update will let you know that they're ready to be installed.

Tip

You can also check for updates in PC settings. To open PC settings, swipe in from the right edge of the screen (if you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen), tapping or clicking Settings, and then tapping or clicking Change PC settings. Under PC settings, tap or click Windows Update, and then tap or click Check for updates.

Windows Update is free. However, depending on how you're billed for your Internet connection, standard local and long distance phone charges, Internet service charges, metered data plan charges, or mobile data charges might apply for the time required to download an update.

We keep an update history in Windows Update so that you can check 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.

We'll let you know if you need to restart your PC to finish installing updates, and you'll have the choice to restart right away or postpone the restart. If you're away from your PC for an extended period of time, Windows will automatically restart your PC to finish installing updates.

Yes. Windows Update provides very important updates for performance and security, so we'll let you know if an update can't be installed.