How to use automatic updates in Windows 10

Microsoft is constantly updating Windows 10 with new features, security patches and general system adjustments. To keep your PC in good condition (including minimising the risks of malware and viruses), you’ll want to make sure these updates are being implemented. Remember that Windows 10 is a large and complex piece of software, which needs to be constantly tweaked to maintain optimum performance and correct any little bugs that can enter into systems.

Windows Update is the software that checks to make sure that Windows and the driver software that runs displays, peripherals and printers work the way they were intended. It also adds new features to existing software such as OneNote, the Edge browser and the operating system itself. Unsurprisingly, security is the most frequent and important type of update as it limits dangerous attacks. It therefore goes without saying that Windows must be kept up-to-date.

Very occasionally updates may cause things to stop working, or even create new problems. In fact, last December, a small update affected internet connectivity for about 2% of users. The fix was simple though – a simple restart instead of shutting the PC down and turning it back on again. But for the most part Windows Update is definitely something we recommend.

When Windows 10 launched, automatic updates were the default setting. This means that unless you have changed the setting manually then you’re already receiving the updates as soon as they come out. You can check to see if this is that case by typing “Windows Update” into the Cortana search bar (or by clicking on the Start button, then Settings, then Updates and Security).

Once the Windows Update window is open, it will tell you if any updates are due and when they are scheduled to take place, which is usually outside of active hours (you can customise your active hours if 8am -5pm doesn’t work for you). If you want to see if there are any new updates available then click the Check for Updates button.

One thing you really need to check is whether your PC is running the latest version of Windows 10. Go into the Cortana search bar next to the Start button in the bottom left hand corner of your screen and type WINVER then Enter. This will give you the Version number, which should be 1703 (at the time of writing 14/09/17). If not, you need to hit that Check for Updates button as you’re not using the latest version.

We’re only a couple of weeks away from version 1709 (Fall Creators Update), which has some exciting new features that we’ll be looking at over the next month or so.