How to Update Windows Safely
Windows updates are your first line of defence against security threats — and usually invisible. Here’s how to check for them, handle optional and driver updates, pause when you need to, and fix one that gets stuck.
It’s easy to dismiss the “Updates are available” nudge and carry on — but Windows updates are one of the most important things you can do for your computer’s safety. They patch security holes that attackers actively exploit, fix bugs and improve stability. The good news is the process is largely automatic and, done sensibly, low-risk. This guide shows you how to check for and install updates properly, deal with optional and driver updates, pause them around important work, and rescue an update that gets stuck.
Key takeaways
- Updates are mostly about security. They close holes attackers use, so keeping current is one of the best protections you have.
- Check manually via Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates; install, then restart to finish.
- Optional and driver updates are separate — install drivers if they fix a hardware problem, otherwise they’re usually safe to skip.
- You can pause updates for a while around important work, and most stuck updates are fixed by waiting, restarting and running the built-in troubleshooter.
Why updates matter (it’s mostly security)
The biggest reason to keep Windows updated is security. Software has flaws, and when one is discovered, attackers race to exploit it; the monthly security updates close those holes before they can be used against you. Unpatched computers are a favourite target precisely because so many people delay updating. Beyond security, updates fix bugs, improve stability and performance, and occasionally add features. Treat them as routine maintenance — like servicing a car — rather than an interruption, and your machine stays both safer and smoother. Good update habits sit alongside the basics covered in two-factor authentication and strong passwords as core digital hygiene.
How to check for updates
Windows downloads most updates automatically, but it’s worth checking manually now and then — especially if your PC has been off for a while.
Open Windows Update
Click Start → Settings (the gear icon), then choose Windows Update (in Windows 11 it’s in the left sidebar; in Windows 10, under Update & Security).
Check for updates
Click Check for updates. Windows looks for anything new and, if found, begins downloading it. Available updates are listed on this screen.
Let it download
Downloads happen in the background, so you can keep working. When an update is ready to install, Windows will tell you.
Install and restart
Some updates install on their own; larger ones ask you to restart to finish, because files in use can only be replaced during a reboot. Save your work, then click Restart now — or schedule it for a convenient time using Restart options so it doesn’t interrupt you. You can also set your active hours so Windows never restarts automatically while you’re normally using the PC.
Never force-shut-down during an update. While Windows is applying an update or showing “Working on updates… don’t turn off your PC”, leave it alone — even if it looks frozen. Cutting the power mid-update can corrupt the installation. On a laptop, keep it plugged in so the battery can’t die partway through.
Optional and driver updates
Beyond the main security and quality updates, Windows lists optional updates, which often include driver updates for hardware like your graphics, network or printer. Find them under Windows Update → Advanced options → Optional updates.
- If something isn’t working — a flaky Wi-Fi adapter, a printer playing up, choppy graphics — installing the relevant optional driver update can fix it.
- If everything works fine, you can usually leave optional driver updates alone; there’s an old but sensible rule of thumb that working drivers don’t need changing for its own sake.
- For graphics cards specifically, many people prefer to get drivers straight from the maker’s own app for the latest versions, particularly for gaming.
The essential security and quality updates, by contrast, should always be installed — those aren’t optional in spirit even when Windows offers some on a separate list.
Pausing updates when you need to
Sometimes the timing is wrong — you’re mid-project, travelling on limited data, or want to wait a few days before a big update. Windows lets you pause updates for a period from Settings → Windows Update → Pause updates. This temporarily holds downloads and installs.
Pause, don’t forget. Pausing is for short, deliberate delays — not a way to avoid updates indefinitely. Once the pause window ends you’ll need to install the latest updates before you can pause again, which is by design: it stops a paused PC drifting into an insecure, unpatched state.
Fix a stuck or failing update
Occasionally an update seems stuck or fails with an error. Work through these in order:
Give it time, then restart
Some updates sit at a percentage for a long while — wait at least an hour before acting. If it’s truly stuck, restart the PC; Windows often recovers and continues on reboot.
Run the Windows Update troubleshooter
Go to Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters and run Windows Update. It automatically detects and fixes many common update problems.
Check storage and connection
Updates need free disk space and a stable internet connection. Free up room if your drive is nearly full (see how to free up storage) and try again.
Note the error and search it
If an error code appears, look it up on Microsoft’s support site — many have specific, documented fixes. A pause-then-resume of updates can also clear a wedged download.
If updates routinely fail and the PC also feels sluggish, the wider tune-up in how to speed up a slow computer can help rule out disk and performance issues behind it.
Quality updates vs feature updates
It helps to know there are two kinds. Quality updates are the frequent, smaller security and bug-fix patches (the monthly ones) — install these promptly, always. Feature updates are the larger, less frequent releases that move you to a new version of Windows with new capabilities; they take longer to install and arrive once or twice a year.
| Quality updates | Feature updates | |
|---|---|---|
| What they are | Security & bug fixes | New Windows versions/features |
| How often | Roughly monthly | About once or twice a year |
| Install time | Quick | Longer — a bigger download and setup |
| Advice | Always install promptly | Install when convenient; some delay briefly to let issues surface |
Either way, staying current is the goal. A computer running the latest updates is safer, more stable and less likely to spring an unpleasant surprise — well worth the occasional restart.
Frequently asked questions
Why are Windows updates important?
Mainly for security. Updates patch flaws that attackers actively try to exploit, so a fully updated PC is far harder to compromise. They also fix bugs and improve stability and performance. Treating updates as routine maintenance, rather than an interruption, keeps your computer both safer and smoother.
How do I check for Windows updates manually?
Open Start, then Settings, and select Windows Update. Click Check for updates, and Windows will look for and download anything new. Larger updates may then ask you to restart to finish installing. It is worth checking manually now and then, especially if the PC has been switched off for a while.
Should I install optional and driver updates?
Install a driver update if it fixes a hardware problem such as flaky Wi-Fi, a misbehaving printer or choppy graphics. If everything is working, you can usually leave optional driver updates alone. The main security and quality updates, however, should always be installed promptly.
Can I pause Windows updates?
Yes. Go to Settings, Windows Update, and choose Pause updates to delay them for a period, which is handy around important work or on limited data. Pausing is meant for short, deliberate delays; once the pause window ends you must install the latest updates before you can pause again, so your PC does not stay unpatched.
My Windows update is stuck. What should I do?
First give it time, as some updates sit at a percentage for a while; wait at least an hour before acting, then restart the PC. If it is still stuck, run the built-in Windows Update troubleshooter, make sure you have enough free disk space and a stable connection, and look up any error code on Microsoft support for a specific fix.
Sources & further reading
- Microsoft — Install Windows Updates
- Microsoft — Pause updates in Windows
- CISA — Understanding patches and software updates
This guide is independently produced. We reference primary documentation from device makers and security authorities. Tudug is reader-supported and may earn from ads.
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