How to manually check for updates on a Windows 10 computer and install them

December 5, 2019 editor

Windows 10, like its many predecessors, needs occasional updates to keep the computer running efficiently and securely. These updates usually occur automatically, or will start after asking permission.

Sometimes, though, it’s helpful to manually check for any updates that haven’t been installed yet, especially if your computer is behaving strangely.

Here’s how to check for updates on a Windows 10 PC, and then install them.

How to check for updates on a Windows 10 PC

1. Click on the Start menu in the bottom left corner of your screen – it looks like the Windows logo.

2. From there, click on the Settings icon, which is a small icon that looks like a gear.

3. At the bottom of the Settings menu, click “Update & Security.”

4. Click on “Check for updates” to see if your computer is up-to-date, or if there are any updates available. Your computer will also show the date and time of when it was last updated.

5. If there were updates available, they’ll begin to download automatically. On the next screen, your computer will show the current status of your updates. Broader system updates will also be noted on this screen.