They usually happen unannounced and disable your PC for a while: Windows operating system updates. Windows updates are extremely important, as they bring new features and close security vulnerabilities. Nevertheless, updates often come at an inconvenient time, as large files have to be downloaded and installed as part of an update. And for a secure installation, the PC usually has to be restarted. This takes time and interrupts the current work. And in some cases, the operating system also glitches after a successful update. Then, instead of resuming your work, you have to fix errors and solve a problem with your PC first. In this blog post, we explain why there can be problems and errors after Windows updates and what you can do about it.
Why do Windows updates sometimes go wrong?
Annoying error messages, system crashes, the same update has to be finalized again after every PC start, or the sound is suddenly missing in all audio programs: There are many "glitches" and errors that have occurred after Windows updates. The lists of problems and errors in help and support forums are full of unwanted effects after a patch or an update.
But why does this happen? The reason is simple: Unlike MAC computers, PCs with Microsoft operating systems can be composed of an unmanageable variety of hardware and software from the most diverse manufacturers and developers. Every PC is individual, and there are much more often different combinations of installed hardware and software. This individual setup of one's own PC is an advantage in itself. However, this diversity in the system leads to an infinite number of possible combinations of hardware and software – and Microsoft cannot test its updates for all these combinations.
Which Microsoft operating systems still receive updates?
Microsoft support has already expired for Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8, and no more security updates are being provided. Updates are therefore only available for Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. Support for Windows 8.1 will continue until January 2023. After that, feature and security updates will also expire on this system. So, if you are still using an older operating system, you should switch to Windows 8.1 or, even better, Windows 10 as soon as possible. Only then will you benefit from further security updates and avoid future problems.
To learn how you can still get Windows 10 for free from Windows 7 and Windows 8 today, read this blog post: Free upgrade to Windows 10 – from Windows 7 and Windows 8
Windows 10 is Microsoft's latest and also last operating system. So, if your PC runs on Windows 10, you are virtually assured of feature and security updates forever.
Can you skip updates sometimes?
In principle, yes: however, we recommend at best postponing updates, but never skipping them. For postponing, Windows 10 has offered a new function since the May 2019 update (Version 1903), which allows users to postpone monthly updates for seven days. Users can renew these update pauses up to five times for another 7 days each.
Read why you should regularly update your software and operating system in this blog post: Update software, close security vulnerabilities
How can updates be postponed?
As just described, a corresponding function for postponing updates has only been available since the May 2019 update (Version 1903).
Updates are postponed in the "Update & Security" settings, in the "Windows Update" submenu (keyboard shortcut WIN + I). Here you select "Pause updates for 7 days". Via "Advanced options", you can postpone updates beyond the just-mentioned period of 35 days (5 weeks) or select a new date for the update by clicking in the drop-down menu.
What types of updates are there for Windows 10?
There are three types of updates for Windows 10: Feature Updates, Security Updates, and Driver Updates. The latter two are also referred to as Quality Updates.
- Feature Updates, as the name suggests, provide your Windows 10 with new features. They are usually several GB in size and occur 2 to 3 times a year. To get these updates, you must click "Download and Install" in the Windows Update section. They often also include smaller security patches.
- Driver Updates and Security Updates usually occur monthly and offer improvements in stability and security and solve known problems with various functions. In the event of acute security vulnerabilities, these updates can also occur out of schedule.
What should you do before a major update?
Before agreeing to a comprehensive update, you should save the current file(s) and close all open documents. Do not start a new download. Backing up current and important data to an external data carrier or in the cloud is also advisable. The latter, however, is a universally valid piece of advice that you should heed regardless of impending updates.
Can you positively influence an upcoming update?
There are indeed a few things you can do before a major update to largely rule out complications and problems. These are:
- safely disconnect external devices from the PC – e.g., USB sticks, SD cards, external hard drives
- have enough storage space for the update, or free it up if necessary
- disable antivirus software and firewall before the update
- do not run any other program installations in parallel
- update outdated device drivers
- repair or remove software that no longer works
In the following list, we name a few tools that will help you prepare your PC as best as possible before an update, or that will also help you if problems should arise due to the update.
A few tools to help you with PC problems, whether before or after an update:
- Rescue Stick: This tool generally helps with PC problems, e.g., if the computer won't start
- Anti Spy: removes spying default settings from Microsoft
- TuneUp Utilities / AVG PC Tune Up: Gets your PC in shape, makes it like new again, repairs a corrupted file, and uninstalls a faulty program
- Windows 10 Update Assistant: Helps you find, download, and install new Microsoft updates
Further tips and helpful links from Microsoft for update problems:
And if something goes wrong?
Then it's best to undo the update and revert to the previous version of your operating system. To do this, go to "Update & Security" in the system settings and then to the "Windows Update" tab. Here, select "View update history" to uninstall the last update. In addition, you will find other options here on how to restore your PC and your system to how they were before the update.
