How to Manage Your Windows 10 Updates

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Many users who have upgraded to Windows 10 may find themselves feeling frustrated over their lack of control surrounding the updates to their system. Until recently, users were able to choose which elements of their upgrades they wanted to install, a feature which has been disabled in the latest version of Microsoft’s popular new software upgrade.

While this feature change may make sense for IT professionals (managing users who have selectively upgraded some things and not others can be a challenge. For more information just ask our Support Heroes), it may prove to be an annoying change for the average user.

Below we’ll go over some common FAQs that we hear from our customers regarding Windows 10 updates:

What Kinds of Updates are Available?

There are two types of update packaged available for Windows 10, which are:

  • Quality upgrades. These updates work to resolve issues with reliability and security, and do not include updates such as new features.
  • Feature upgrades. These used to be called “version upgrades” and include new features, and often take a long time to download and complete.

 

How Can You Tell Which Windows 10 Updates Have Been Installed?

Finding out which updates have been successfully installed is as easy as can be! Just follow these simply steps:

  • Click on Settings
  • Select “Update and security”
  • Select “Windows Update”
  • Click on “Update history”

When Will Windows 10 Install Your Updates?

Windows 10 will download and upgrade your software in the background, while you’re working or using your device, and will install them automatically. Recently, Microsoft introduced the “Active Hours” setting, which allows you to set specific times where you are “busy” and don’t want to be interrupted by the installation process. Once you set these hours, Windows 10 will refrain from installing any updates while your device is in use during those times.

Can You Delay Feature Updates?

If you’re running Windows 10 Home then there is currently no way to delay Feature Updates; when a feature is available Windows 10 will install and upgrade to it during the next time window which falls outside of your pre-set Active Hours. If you’re running Windows 10 Pro, Education, or Enterprise then you can select the option to defer feature updates for up to 10 months. However, we do not recommend allowing your updates to lapse because it may impose a security threat on your system.