Windows Update helps you keep your Windows 11 operating system up to date. In addition to updating the Windows 11 operating system, the Windows Update service also enables you to install and update device drivers.
With the default settings, the Windows Update service automatically runs in the background at regular intervals and checks for updates. If updates are available, they will be downloaded and installed in the background. Users are notified only when a system reboot is required to finish installing updates.
As said, Windows Update is automatically run in the background and does not need to be run manually. However, you might sometimes want to manually check and install updates to ensure that your computer is up-to-date.
Check and install updates via the Settings app in Windows 11
Step 1: Open the Settings app. On the left side of the Settings app, click on Windows Update.
Step 2: Now, on the right side, click the Check for updates button.
Step 3: Upon clicking the Check for updates button, Windows 11 will look for available updates. If updates are available, they will be downloaded and installed automatically.
Some types of updates, such as non-security updates, are not installed automatically. If such an update is available, you will see the Download and install button next to the update. Click on the Download & install button to get the update.
Check and install optional updates in Windows 11
Optional updates are not installed automatically. So, here is how to install optional updates in Windows 11.
Step 1: Go to Settings > Windows Update page.
Step 2: In the More options section, click Advanced options.
Step 3: Next, in the Additional options section, click on Optional updates.
Step 4: The page lists all available optional updates to Windows 11 as well as driver updates. Click on Windows Updates to view optional updates for Windows 11. To view optional driver updates, click on Driver updates.
Step 5: Select updates that you want to install. Finally, click the Download & install button to install selected optional updates.
Check and install updates via PowerShell in Windows 11
Checking and installing updates via the Settings app is easy. But if you encounter issues with the Settings app, you can also check and install updates via PowerShell. Here is how.
Step 1: Search for Windows PowerShell. First, right-click on the Windows PowerShell entry in the search results and then click the Run as administrator option.
Click on the Yes button.
Step 2: At the PowerShell window, copy and paste the following command:
Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned
This command allows the execution of commands signed by a trusted publisher.
Step 3: Next, type the following command and press Enter:
Install-Module PSWindowsUpdate
NOTE: If you are wondering, with default settings, the PowerShell cannot check for updates. We need to install the module first to be able to check and install updates via PowerShell.
Step 4: Next, when you see the “NuGet provider is required to continue” message, type “A” and press the Enter key to install the module.
Step 5: If you get the “Untrusted repository” message, type “Y” and then hit the Enter key again. This should complete the PowerShell Windows Update module installation.
Step 6: Copy and paste this command now:
To check, download and install all available updates, use this command:
Get-WindowsUpdate -AcceptAll -Install –AutoReboot
Step 7: Hit the Enter key to check for updates, download and install updates and then reboot your computer to finish installing updates.
