Keeping Windows 11 up to date is one of the simplest ways to protect your PC and keep it running smoothly. You do it from the Windows Update page in Settings, where your PC checks Microsoft’s servers for new security patches, feature updates, and driver fixes. This guide walks you through checking for updates, installing them, and fixing the most common problems when updates won’t download or install.
Quick steps
- Open Settings (press
Windows key + I). - Select Windows Update from the left-hand menu.
- Select Check for updates.
- If updates appear, select Download & install (or they’ll start downloading automatically).
- Restart your PC when prompted to finish installing.
Before you start
A few things to check before you dive in:
- You’ll need an internet connection, since updates download directly from Microsoft.
- Large feature updates can take a while to download and install, so plug in a laptop and avoid starting the process right before you need to leave.
- Some updates need a restart to finish installing. Save your work first.
- Windows 11 editions and support timelines vary. Microsoft retires support for specific Windows 11 versions on a rolling basis, so if your PC is on an older version, it’s worth updating sooner rather than later to keep receiving security patches.
- If your PC is managed by your employer or school through Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) or Windows Update for Business, some update settings may be controlled centrally and some options described below might be greyed out.
How to update Windows 11 from Settings (most PCs)
This is the method almost everyone will use, whether you’re on a home PC, a personal laptop, or a work device without strict IT policies.
- Open Settings. You can do this from the Start menu or by pressing
Windows key + I. - In the left-hand navigation, select Windows Update.
- Select the Check for updates button.
- Windows will search for available updates. If any are found, they’ll begin downloading, or you may see a Download & install button to select.
- Once downloaded, select Restart now if prompted, or let Windows install the update the next time you restart.
- After restarting, go back to Windows Update and select Check for updates again. Some updates only appear once an earlier one has finished installing.
How to check for and install optional updates
Optional updates include things like driver updates and non-security feature previews that Microsoft doesn’t install automatically. These can be useful if you’re troubleshooting a hardware issue, but they’re not required for security.
- Go to Settings > Windows Update.
- Select Advanced options.
- Select Optional updates.
- Review the list under categories such as driver updates or other updates, tick the ones you want, and select Download & install.
How to update to the latest Windows 11 feature version
Feature updates (sometimes called version updates, for example moving to a newer 24H2 or later release) are larger updates that add new capabilities and extend your support window. They don’t always appear right away for every device, because Microsoft rolls them out gradually.
- Go to Settings > Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates.
- If a new feature update is available for your device, you’ll see it listed with a Download & install option.
- Select it, then follow the on-screen prompts to download, install, and restart.
If you don’t see a newer version listed, your device may not yet be offered the rollout, or it may not meet the hardware requirements for that version. You can also check Microsoft’s Windows release health pages for known issues affecting a specific update before installing it, especially if you’ve heard about a bug affecting your hardware.
How to update Windows 11 using the Update Assistant or installation media
If Windows Update isn’t offering you a feature update yet and you want to move to a newer version sooner, Microsoft provides tools for creating installation media or running an assisted upgrade. This route is more involved and is generally meant for people comfortable with manual installs, or IT pros preparing images for multiple machines.
- Visit Microsoft’s official Windows 11 download page to get the Installation Assistant or the Media Creation Tool.
- Run the tool and follow its prompts to either upgrade your current PC in place or create a bootable USB drive.
- If building installation media for deployment, Microsoft also publishes Dynamic Update packages (including safe OS updates, setup updates, and cumulative updates) that can be slipstreamed into the media so the installed image already has the latest fixes.
- Follow the on-screen setup steps to complete the upgrade, keeping your files and apps if prompted to do so.
This method is optional for everyday users. Most people are better off waiting for the update to appear through normal Windows Update, since Microsoft tests rollouts in phases to catch compatibility issues first.
Windows 11 update settings worth checking
A few settings affect how and when your PC updates. These are found under Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options.
- Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available: toggling this on lets your device receive updates earlier, before they’re fully rolled out to everyone.
- Pause updates: lets you temporarily pause updates for a set period if you need to avoid an update right before something important.
- Active hours: tells Windows the hours you’re usually using your PC, so it avoids restarting for updates during that window.
- Delivery Optimization: controls whether your PC shares update files with other devices on your network or the internet to speed up downloads.
On devices joined to a workplace or school network through Microsoft Entra ID, administrators can also configure settings that control whether updates install automatically, even before a user signs in, using policies documented for IT admins rather than the consumer Settings app.
How to view your Windows 11 update history
- Go to Settings > Windows Update.
- Select Update history.
- Here you’ll see a list of recently installed updates, along with their install dates and status.
- If an update caused a problem, you can select Uninstall updates from this same page to remove a specific recent update.
If it doesn’t work
Windows Update is stuck or not downloading
Restart your PC and try Check for updates again. If it’s still stuck, run the built-in Windows Update troubleshooter from Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, then select Run next to Windows Update.
No updates are showing up even though you expect one
Microsoft rolls out updates gradually, so your device might not be offered a specific update yet even if it’s publicly available. Check the Windows release health information for that update to see if there’s a known compatibility hold affecting your type of hardware.
An update failed to install
Go to Update history to see the error and which update failed. Try restarting and running Check for updates again, since a second attempt often succeeds. If it keeps failing, free up disk space, since low storage is a common cause of failed installs.
Your PC keeps restarting for updates at inconvenient times
Check your Active hours setting under Windows Update > Advanced options and make sure it covers the hours you actually use the device. You can also use Pause updates for short-term relief.
You’re on a version nearing end of support
Microsoft publishes end-of-update and end-of-support dates for each Windows 11 version on its lifecycle pages. If your version is approaching that date, install the next available feature update through Windows Update as soon as it’s offered to keep receiving security fixes.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check for Windows 11 updates?
Open Settings, select Windows Update, then select Check for updates. Windows will search Microsoft’s servers and list any available updates for your device.
How do I install Windows 11 updates?
After checking for updates, select Download & install if it appears, or let Windows download updates automatically. Once downloaded, restart your PC when prompted to complete the installation.
How often should I update Windows 11?
It’s best to check for updates regularly, since security updates are released on a recurring schedule and feature updates arrive periodically. Turning on automatic updates in Windows Update settings means you don’t have to remember to check manually.
Why isn’t my Windows 11 update showing up?
Microsoft releases updates in phases, so not every device gets an update the moment it’s published. It can also mean there’s a known compatibility issue holding the update back for certain hardware or configurations.
Can I pause a Windows 11 update?
Yes. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options and use the Pause updates option to delay updates for a limited time.
Related guides
- How To Upgrade Azure AD Connect Software
- How To Stop Teams Loading Up After Logging In
- How to Remove OneDrive from Your PC
Leave a Reply