How to check for and install updates on your computer
The way you update depends on whether you use Windows or Mac. Both operating systems check for updates automatically, but you can also check manually and choose when to install them. Updates patch security holes, fix bugs, and add features — they are not optional, even when they seem inconvenient.
On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, then click "Check for updates". Windows will read what it finds and prompt you to restart. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Software Update and click "Update Now" if updates are available. Both systems can be set to install updates automatically, which most people should do — manual updates often get postponed indefinitely.
Updates can take 15 minutes to an hour depending on your internet speed and how many are waiting. Your computer will restart during the process. Do not unplug it or force it off, even if the screen goes black for a while. This is normal.
Key Takeaways
- Windows updates live in Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update; Mac updates are in System Settings > General > Software Update.
- Automatic updates are safer than manual ones because they happen whether you remember them or not, and security patches cannot wait.
- Updates require a restart, which usually happens automatically but may ask for your permission first.
- If an update fails or your computer gets stuck, restarting it manually often fixes the problem, and you can try the update again afterward.
- Turning off automatic updates to avoid restarts creates security risk and usually just delays the restart, not eliminates it.
Why your computer needs updates even when nothing seems broken
Updates do three things: they close security vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit, they fix bugs that crash programs or corrupt files, and they add features. The security patches are the ones you cannot skip. A computer that has not been updated in months is exposed to attacks that could steal passwords, install malware, or lock your files for ransom.
Microsoft and Apple release security patches on a schedule — usually the second Tuesday of each month for Windows, and whenever Apple decides for Mac. Between those dates, new vulnerabilities are discovered and exploited in the wild. The longer you wait to install a patch, the longer your computer is vulnerable. This is why automatic updates exist: they remove the decision from you.
The inconvenience of a restart is real, but it is temporary. The inconvenience of ransomware or identity theft is permanent. If you work from home and restarts interrupt you, set your computer to install updates at night or on a weekend.
How to set updates to install automatically
On Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Advanced options. Under "Receive updates for other Microsoft products", toggle the switch on. Under "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available", you can choose to install them automatically or get notified first. Most people should choose automatic.
On Windows 11, the process is similar: Settings > System > Windows Update > Advanced options. You will see "Receive updates for other Microsoft products" and options for how aggressively Windows should install updates. The default is usually fine.
On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates. Check the boxes for "Install system data and security updates" and "Install process updates from the App Store". You can also check "read new updates when available" to have macOS fetch them in the background so installation is faster when it happens.
Once automatic updates are on, your computer will install them on its own schedule, usually at night or when you are not using it. You may still see a notification asking you to restart — that is normal, and you can usually delay it for a few hours if you are in the middle of something.
What to do if an update fails or gets stuck
If an update starts and your screen goes black or shows a spinning wheel for more than 30 minutes, your computer may be stuck. The first step is to wait — some updates genuinely take an hour on older machines or slow internet. If nothing changes after an hour, restart your computer manually by holding the power button for 10 seconds until it shuts down, then turn it back on.
When your computer restarts, it will usually resume the update where it left off. If the same update fails again, restart once more and then check for updates again — sometimes a second attempt succeeds. If it fails a third time, write down the error code (if one appears) and restart in Safe Mode to try the update there.
On Windows, restart and press F8 or Shift+F8 repeatedly as the computer boots to enter Safe Mode. Then go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and try again. On Mac, restart and hold Command+S to enter Safe Mode. Then restart normally and try the update again.
If the update still will not install after Safe Mode, the problem may be a corrupted file or a hardware issue. At that point, contact the manufacturer's support line or take the computer to a repair shop. Do not ignore the failed update — your computer remains vulnerable until the update installs.
How to update programs and apps separately from the operating system
Your operating system is not the only thing that needs updates. Programs like Chrome, Firefox, Adobe Reader, and Zoom also release updates regularly. These usually install automatically, but you can check manually.
On Windows, most programs have an "About" or "Help" menu that shows whether updates are available. Chrome, for example, shows a colored circle in the top right corner when an update is ready — click it and Chrome will update the next time you close and reopen it. Microsoft Office updates through Windows Update, so if you keep Windows updated, Office stays current too.
On Mac, the App Store app handles updates for programs you downloaded from there. Open the App Store, click the account icon in the top right, and scroll down to see which apps have updates waiting. Click "Update" next to each one, or "Update All" to update everything at once. Programs you downloaded from elsewhere (like Chrome or Firefox) usually update themselves.
You do not need to update every program when ready, but security-related programs like your browser and antivirus should be updated as soon as updates are available. These are the programs most likely to be targeted by attackers.
Turning off automatic updates: why it is a bad idea and what to do instead
Some people turn off automatic updates because restarts interrupt their work. This is understandable but creates a serious security problem. A computer that does not update is a computer that can be hacked, and the longer it goes without updates, the more vulnerable it becomes.
Instead of turning off updates, change when they happen. On Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Windows Update > Change active hours. Tell Windows what time you usually work, and it will not restart during those hours. On Mac, updates usually happen at night by default, but you can manually check for updates and install them when you choose.
If you absolutely cannot tolerate any restarts, you can delay updates for a few weeks using Windows Update for Business settings, but this is not a permanent solution — the restart will happen eventually. The better approach is to schedule a time each week when you restart your computer intentionally, before updates force the issue. This gives you control over when the interruption happens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my computer while an update is installing?
You can use it during the read phase, but once the installation starts and your computer restarts, you should not use it. Let the update finish. Interrupting it by shutting down or unplugging the computer can corrupt files and make the system unbootable.
Why does my computer restart so often?
If your computer restarts multiple times a week, something is wrong. Check Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update (on Windows) or System Settings > General > Software Update (on Mac) to see if updates are pending. If updates are not the cause, the problem may be a failing hard drive or overheating. Restart your computer once and see if the restarts stop. If they continue, contact support or take it to a repair shop.
What happens if I ignore update notifications?
Windows and Mac will keep asking you to update, and eventually they will force a restart if you ignore the notifications long enough. Your computer will also become increasingly vulnerable to security attacks the longer you wait. It is better to install updates promptly than to delay them repeatedly.
Do I need to unplug my computer before updating?
No. Leave it plugged in during the entire update process. If your computer is a laptop, plug it in so the battery does not die during the update. Unplugging during an update can corrupt files and damage the system.
Why does my update keep failing with an error code?
Common causes are a full hard drive, corrupted update files, or a network interruption during read. Restart your computer and try the update again — this fixes most failures. If the same error code appears twice, search for that code online along with your operating system name to find specific troubleshooting steps. If nothing works, contact the manufacturer's support line.