How to Install Pending Windows Updates Easily (2025)

Okay, so this literally just happened to me yesterday… I’m sitting there trying to finish some work (don’t judge, it was a Sunday), and my laptop decides to throw this passive-aggressive notification at me: “Restart required to finish installing updates.”

You know the one. That little notification that’s been haunting your taskbar for… honestly? Probably weeks at this point.

Real talk – Windows updates can be incredibly frustrating. They pop up at the worst possible moments, they take forever to install, and sometimes they just… sit there. Pending. Mocking you.

But here’s the thing – and trust me on this – keeping your Windows updates current is literally one of the most important things you can do for your computer’s security and performance. I learned this the hard way when I ignored updates for months and ended up with a malware infection that… well, let’s just say it wasn’t pretty.

Why Windows Updates Matter More Than You Think

Before we dive into the how-to stuff, let me give you the real reason why you shouldn’t just ignore those update notifications (like I used to do).

Windows updates aren’t just Microsoft being annoying – they’re actually patching security vulnerabilities that hackers are actively trying to exploit. Every day. I’m not trying to scare you, but… okay, maybe I am a little bit. Because it’s scary out there!

These updates also:

• Fix bugs that might be slowing down your computer
• Add new features (some are actually useful!)
• Improve compatibility with newer software and hardware
• Keep your system stable and running smoothly

Plus, if you’re putting off updates indefinitely, you’re just making the problem worse. The longer you wait, the more updates pile up, and then you’re looking at potentially hours of installation time.

The Quick and Easy Method (Start Here!)

Alright, let’s get to the good stuff. Here’s the simplest way to install those pending Windows updates:

Step 1: Open Windows Update Settings

This is embarrassingly simple, but I’m going to walk you through it anyway because… well, we’ve all been there.

For Windows 11:

1. Click the Start button (or press the Windows key)
2. Click on “Settings” (it looks like a gear icon)
3. Click on “Windows Update” in the left sidebar

For Windows 10:

1. Click the Start button
2. Click on “Settings”
3. Click on “Update & Security”
4. Click on “Windows Update”

Step 2: Check for Updates

Once you’re in the Windows Update section, you’ll see a big blue button that says “Check for updates.” Click it.

Your computer will now do its thing – scanning for available updates, downloading them, and preparing them for installation. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to… well, grab a coffee. Maybe a meal. Depends on how long you’ve been avoiding updates.

Step 3: Install and Restart

Here’s where it gets real. Once Windows finds your updates, you’ll typically see one of these options:

• “Install now” – Click this if you’re feeling brave and have time to spare
• “Schedule restart” – This is clutch if you’re in the middle of something important
• “Restart now” – Only click this if you’ve saved everything and are ready to commit

Pro tip: Always, ALWAYS save your work before starting this process. I cannot stress this enough. I’ve lost entire documents because I thought “oh, it’ll just be a quick restart…”

When Things Go Wrong (Because They Sometimes Do)

Okay, real talk time. Sometimes Windows updates just… don’t work. The installation gets stuck at 35%, or your computer restarts and boots to a black screen, or you get some cryptic error message that makes absolutely no sense.

Don’t panic. This happens more often than Microsoft would like to admit, and there are ways to fix it.

The Update is Stuck or Taking Forever

If your update has been “installing” for more than 2-3 hours, something’s probably wrong. Here’s what to do:

Option 1: The Waiting Game
Sometimes patience is key. Seriously. I once had an update that took 4 hours to complete, but it eventually worked. If you see disk activity (the little light on your computer blinking), it’s probably still working.

Option 2: Force Restart (Nuclear Option)
If nothing’s happening for several hours and there’s no disk activity, you might need to force restart your computer. Hold down the power button for 10 seconds until it shuts down completely, then turn it back on.

Windows will usually detect that the update didn’t complete properly and either:

• Roll back the changes and try again
• Boot normally and let you retry the update later

The Dreaded Error Codes

Windows loves throwing error codes at you like they mean something. Here are the most common ones and what to do:

Error 0x80070005: This usually means Windows doesn’t have permission to install the update. Try running Windows Update as an administrator.

Error 0x8024402F: Your internet connection might be the problem. Check your network and try again.

Error 0x80240034: The Windows Update service might be having issues. We’ll cover how to reset this below.

Advanced Troubleshooting (When You’re Really Stuck)

Alright, so the simple method didn’t work. Your updates are being stubborn. Time to break out the big guns.

Method 1: Windows Update Troubleshooter

Microsoft actually has a built-in tool for this (shocking, I know). Here’s how to use it:

1. Open Settings
2. Go to “Update & Security” (Windows 10) or “System” > “Troubleshoot” (Windows 11)
3. Click on “Additional troubleshooters”
4. Find “Windows Update” and click “Run the troubleshooter”

The troubleshooter will scan for issues and try to fix them automatically. It’s not perfect, but it works more often than you’d expect.

Method 2: Reset Windows Update Components

This sounds scary, but it’s actually pretty straightforward. We’re going to restart the services that handle Windows updates.

Warning: You’ll need to open Command Prompt as an administrator for this. Don’t worry – I’ll walk you through it.

1. Press Windows key + X
2. Click “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin)”
3. Type the following commands, pressing Enter after each one:

net stop wuauservnet stop cryptSvcnet stop bitsnet stop msiserver

4. Now restart them:

net start wuauservnet start cryptSvcnet start bitsnet start msiserver

5. Close the command prompt and try running Windows Update again

Method 3: Clear the Update Cache

Sometimes Windows Update gets confused by old, corrupted files. Here’s how to clear them out:

1. Open File Explorer
2. Navigate to: C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution
3. Delete everything in this folder (you might need administrator permissions)
4. Restart your computer
5. Try running Windows Update again

Note: This will force Windows to re-download all pending updates, so it might take longer than usual.

Setting Up Automatic Updates (Set It and Forget It)

Honestly? The best way to deal with Windows updates is to not deal with them at all. Set them to install automatically and save yourself the headache.

Windows 11 Automatic Updates

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update
2. Click on “Advanced options”
3. Make sure “Receive updates for other Microsoft products” is turned on
4. Under “Additional options,” you can choose when to restart for updates

Windows 10 Automatic Updates

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update
2. Click “Advanced options”
3. Choose your update schedule under “Choose when updates are installed”

Pro tip: Set your “Active hours” to match when you actually use your computer. This way, Windows won’t restart in the middle of your Netflix binge… or important work presentation.

What About Those Feature Updates?

Feature updates are the big ones – they’re like getting a whole new version of Windows. These typically happen twice a year and can take several hours to install.

The good news? You have more control over these. Windows will usually give you advance notice and let you choose when to install them. My advice? Don’t put them off indefinitely, but you don’t need to install them the day they come out either.

Wait a few weeks, let other people be the beta testers, then install once any major bugs have been ironed out.

Managing Updates on Metered Connections

If you’re on a limited data plan (looking at you, mobile hotspot users), Windows updates can be a nightmare. Here’s how to manage them:

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet
2. Click on your connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
3. Turn on “Metered connection”

This will pause most automatic updates, but security updates will still download. You can manually check for and install updates when you’re on unlimited Wi-Fi.

Updates for Specific Windows Versions

Windows 11 Specific Tips

Windows 11 is pretty good about updates, but here are some specific things to know:

• TPM Requirements: Make sure your TPM is enabled in BIOS if you’re having update issues
• Secure Boot: Some updates require Secure Boot to be enabled
• Microsoft Account: You might need to sign in with a Microsoft account for certain feature updates

Windows 10 Specific Considerations

If you’re still on Windows 10 (no judgment here), keep in mind:

• End of Support: Windows 10 support ends in October 2025
• Compatibility: Some newer updates might not be available for older hardware
• Storage Space: Make sure you have at least 4GB of free space for major updates

Common Myths About Windows Updates (Let’s Bust Them)

Myth 1: “Updates slow down my computer”
Truth: Old, unpatched systems are usually slower and less secure than updated ones.

Myth 2: “I don’t need updates if I have antivirus”
Truth: Antivirus software can’t protect against vulnerabilities in Windows itself.

Myth 3: “Updates break more things than they fix”
Truth: While this occasionally happens, it’s much rarer than the problems caused by not updating.

Creating a Update Backup Strategy

Before we wrap up, let me share something I wish I’d known earlier – how to protect yourself in case an update goes wrong.

System Restore Points

Windows should create these automatically before major updates, but you can create manual ones:

1. Type “Create a restore point” in the Start menu
2. Click “Create” and give it a descriptive name
3. If something goes wrong after an update, you can restore to this point

File Backups

Updates rarely mess with personal files, but it’s still smart to back up important documents:

• Use OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox for automatic cloud backups
• External hard drives for large files
• Consider a full system backup solution like Windows Backup

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Windows updates usually take?

It depends on several factors – your computer’s speed, internet connection, and how many updates are pending. Small security updates might take 10-15 minutes, while major feature updates can take 2-4 hours.

Can I use my computer while updates are downloading?

Yes! Updates download in the background, and you can continue working normally. It’s only during the installation phase (after restart) that you can’t use your computer.

What happens if my computer shuts down during an update?

Modern Windows versions are pretty resilient. The system will usually detect the incomplete update on restart and either complete it or roll back safely. However, it’s best to avoid interrupting updates when possible.

Should I install optional updates?

It depends on what they are. Driver updates can improve performance and compatibility, while some optional updates add new features. Check what each update does before installing.

Can I uninstall an update if it causes problems?

Yes, but it’s not always straightforward. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates. However, some security updates can’t be uninstalled.

How do I know if my computer needs a restart for updates?

Windows will show a notification in your system tray, and you’ll see options to “Restart now” or “Schedule restart” in Windows Update settings. Some updates require multiple restarts.

Why do updates sometimes fail to install?

Common causes include insufficient disk space, corrupted update files, antivirus interference, or hardware compatibility issues. The troubleshooting methods above should help resolve most problems.

Is it safe to install updates immediately when they’re released?

Generally yes, especially for security updates. However, if you’re using your computer for critical work, you might want to wait a few days to see if other users report any issues.

The Bottom Line

Look, dealing with Windows updates isn’t glamorous, but it’s necessary. Think of it like brushing your teeth or changing your car’s oil – routine maintenance that prevents bigger problems down the road.

The key is finding a system that works for you. Whether that’s automatic updates, scheduled restarts, or just being more proactive about installing them when they appear… the important thing is that you actually do it.

Discover: Get Help with File Explorer in Windows

Trust me, your future self will thank you when your computer is running smoothly and securely instead of dealing with the chaos of months of backed-up updates or, worse, a security breach.

And remember – if all else fails, there’s no shame in asking for help. Sometimes these things just get complicated, and that’s okay. The important thing is keeping your system updated and secure.

Now stop procrastinating and go install those updates! (But maybe save your work first…)