Windows updates

A Windows workstation should always be kept updated with the latest software and security patches from Microsoft via Windows Update. Failure to do so can lead to system instability and an increased chance of malicious software being installed, the first signs of which are usually performance degradation and unexpected behaviour of software, including internet browsers.

Manually checking for Windows Updates*

Windows 10 – Type “Windows Update” in the search box, select “Check for updates” and click on the “Check for updates button” in the Update & Security window.

Windows 7 – Click Start and type Windows Update in the search box and click on “Check for updates” under the Control Panel items and click on the “Check for updates” button in the Windows Update window.

* When running a manual check for updates make a note of the time that Windows last checked for updates if this was not in the past few days then check that Automatic Updates are enabled.

Enabling Automatic Updates

Windows 10 – Type “Windows Update” in the search box, select “Check for updates”, click on “Advanced Options” and under “Choose how updates are installed” ensure the option “Automatic (recommended)” is set.

Windows 7 – Click Start and type Windows Update in the search box and click on “Check for updates” under the Control Panel items, click Change settings on the left hand menu bar and under “Important updates” ensure “Install updates automatically (recommended)” is selected.

Problems running Windows Update

Occasionally Windows Update will fail to run correctly and may produce an error. The first thing to check is whether access to the Windows Update service is being filtered. To check this browse to www.update.microsoft.com if the page comes back as filtered then the computer will not be able to access the updates from Microsoft and this will need to be addressed by the schools ICT team or the SWGFL.

If the Microsoft Update site is not being filtered and the update process is not working Microsoft have produced some utilities that can be run on the machine to resolve issues with the update process available from this link – https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/instantanswers/512a5183-ffab-40c5-8a68-021e32467565/windows-update-troubleshooter