How to Update Windows Assistant

Windows Update is a free Microsoft service used to provide updates, service packs, and fixes for the Windows operating system and other Microsoft software.

Windows Update can also be used to update drivers for popular hardware devices.

Patches and other security updates are regularly released through Windows Update on the second Tuesday of every month, called Patch Tuesday. However, Microsoft also releases updates on other days, such as hot fixes.

What is Windows Update used for?

Windows Update is used to update Microsoft Windows and various other Microsoft programs.

Updates often include feature enhancements and security updates to help protect Windows from malware and malicious attacks.

You can also use Windows Update to access the update history, which shows all the updates that have been installed on your computer using the Windows Update service.

Windows update availability

All modern Windows operating systems use Windows Update, such as Windows 11 and Windows 10, but other versions of Windows XP.

However, Windows Update does not update most non-Microsoft software. You will need to update those programs yourself or use a free software updater to do it for you.

How to access Windows update.

How to access Windows Update depends on the Windows operating system you are using:

Windows 11 and Windows 10: Windows Update is built in and part of Settings, accessible from the Start menu.

Windows Update Tool for Windows 11.

Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista: Windows Update is built in as a Control Panel widget and can be accessed from Control Panel.

Windows Update for Windows 8.

Windows Update is also available in Windows Vista and later versions by running this command in the Run dialog box (WIN + R).

manage/name Microsoft. Windows Update

Windows XP, 2000, ME, 98:

Windows Update can be accessed through the Windows Update website through Internet Explorer.

The Windows Update website for Windows XP.

 Windows Update (Windows XP).

For more specific instructions, see How to check for and install Windows updates.

How to use windows update.

Open the Windows Update option in Settings or Control Panel (or run the Windows Update website in earlier versions of Windows). A list of available updates tailored to your specific computer is displayed.

Select the updates you want to install and follow the instructions to download and install the updates. Most of the process is fully automated and may require a few steps, or you may be prompted to restart your computer after the updates are installed.

Previous versions of Windows Update

Critical Update Notification Utility (later renamed Critical Update Notification Utility) is a tool that Microsoft released around Windows 98. It runs in the background and notifies you when an important update is available through Windows Update.

This tool has been superseded by automatic updates in Windows Me and Windows 2003 SP3. Automatic Updates lets you install updates without using a web browser and checks for updates less frequently than the Notify Me About Important Updates tool.

Learn more about Windows Update.

Windows Vista updates can have a .MANIFEST, .MUM, or .CAT file extension that specifies a description file, Microsoft Update manifest file, or security catalog file.

If you suspect the solution is the source of an error message or other problem, see a guide to troubleshooting Windows Update.

Some non-Microsoft programs install Windows Updates if you don't want to use Windows Update. Some examples are OUTDATE fighter, Windows Updates Downloader and Autopatcher.

Windows Update is not the same tool as the Microsoft Store (formerly known as the Windows Store) that you use to download music and apps.

Although Windows Update can update some device drivers, Microsoft doesn't provide many. This can range from a video card driver to an advanced keyboard driver. In this case, you'll want to update them yourself. A really easy way to download and install drivers without using Windows Update is a free driver update tool.