Change how Windows installs or notifies you about updates

You can set Windows to automatically install important and recommended updates or to install important updates only. Important updates provide significant benefits, such as improved security and reliability. Recommended updates can address noncritical problems and help enhance your computing experience. Optional updates are not downloaded or installed automatically. To learn more about the types of updates that Microsoft publishes, go to this Knowledge Base article on the Microsoft Help and Support website.

If you don't want updates to be installed automatically, you can choose to be notified when updates apply to your computer instead. Then, you can download and install them yourself, or you can set Windows to automatically download updates, and then notify you so you can install them yourself. Here's how to change how Windows installs or notifies you about updates:

1. Click to open Windows Update.
2. In the left pane, click Change settings.
3. Under Important updates, click one of the following:
   • Install updates automatically (recommended)
   • Download updates but let me choose whether to install them
   • Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them
   • Never check for updates (not recommended)
4. To schedule your automatic updates, next to Install new updates, select the day and time you want updates to occur.
5. To get recommended updates for your computer, under Recommended updates, select the Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates check box.
6. To allow anyone using the computer to make updates, select the Allow all users to install updates on this computer check box. This applies only to updates and software that are installed manually; automatic updates will be installed regardless of the user.
7. Click OK.  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Notes

• If your computer is in hibernation at a scheduled time, installation will begin immediately the next time you start your computer. You will receive a message that asks you if you want to postpone the installation. Click the message and follow the instructions to set how long you want Windows to wait.

• If you turn off automatic updating, make sure you check for new updates regularly. For more information, see Install Windows updates.

Microsoft offers an extension to Windows Update called Microsoft Update. This service allows you to get updates for other Microsoft products, as well as receive notices of new Microsoft software that you can download and install for free. Here's how to get updates and notices about new software:

1. Click to open Windows Update.
2. If you've never checked for updates before, in the left pane, click Check for updates. Wait for Windows Update to finish checking for updates.
3. In the Windows Update dialog box, click Find out more under Get updates for other Microsoft products. Follow the steps on the screen to start using Microsoft Update.