When are updates installed?
It depends on the automatic updating option you choose. If you choose the recommended option, updates are installed at 3:00 A.M. or on a schedule that you choose. If you turn off your computer before the scheduled time, you can install updates before shutting down.
If your computer is in one of the power-saving states (Sleep or Hibernate) during a scheduled update, and if your computer is plugged in to a power source, Windows will wake your computer long enough to install new updates. If your computer is running on battery power, however, Windows will not install updates. Windows will try to install them instead at the next scheduled installation time. To schedule when Windows automatically installs updates:
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In the left pane, click Change settings, and then make sure that the Install updates automatically (recommended) option is selected.
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Choose the frequency and time of day when you want new updates to be installed, and then click OK. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
Can I see which updates Windows has automatically installed?
Yes. View the history in Windows Update in Control Panel, or go to Installed Updates:s.
Can I choose which updates Windows automatically installs?
Yes. You can choose to install important updates only, or important and recommended updates. Optional updates are not installed automatically. Instead, you can choose to install them by reviewing available updates when you check for updates using Windows Update in Control Panel. For more information, see Turn automatic updating on or off and Change how Windows installs or notifies you about updates.
Will I be notified if there's a problem and important updates have not been installed?
Yes. Windows Update will notify you if security and other important updates cannot be installed. For more information, see Troubleshoot problems with installing updates.
Turn on Windows automatic updating
When you turn on automatic updating, Windows can automatically install important updates (including security updates) and recommended updates for your computer as Microsoft releases them. For more information, see Turn automatic updating on or off and How can I tell if my computer is up to date? For more information about updating computers on a network, see Keeping computers on a network up to date.
Stay informed about the latest security issues
To learn about new security updates, find how-to articles and security tips, and get answers to security-related questions, including a free monthly security newsletter for home users, go to the Microsoft Security at Home website.
To learn how Microsoft monitors and responds to security issues, go to the Microsoft Security Response Center website. It offers tools such as an alert service, monthly webcast, blog, and Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds to help you stay current on security-related updates and information for Windows.
