{"id":13903,"date":"2020-01-09T00:48:33","date_gmt":"2020-01-09T00:48:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/?p=13903"},"modified":"2020-01-09T00:48:33","modified_gmt":"2020-01-09T00:48:33","slug":"update-windows-pc-keep-safe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/windows-update.html","title":{"rendered":"How to Update Your Windows PC and Keep It Safe"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/span>Why You Should be Running Windows Updates<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\r\n

Windows as an Operating System is the most popular and widely used in the world but that also means it\u2019s the most commonly exploited. Windows is not perfect and can be compromised. The risk goes up considerably when you plug your PC into the Internet where there is a sea of threats awaiting such as malware, viruses, worms, trojan horses, ransomware and phishing attacks.<\/p>\r\n

Running Microsoft (Windows) updates<\/strong> on your system helps mitigate the risk<\/strong> of the aforementioned threats by patching loopholes and security flaws as they are found by Microsoft\u2019s risk mitigation team which works around the clock.<\/p>\r\n

Aside from fortifying your system, the updates add more features and functionality to Windows and other software included with Windows. Microsoft Updates are crucial for the mitigation of security risks and smooth operation of your Windows Operating System.<\/p>\r\n

\"updates<\/p>\r\n

It is estimated that the vast majority of vulnerable systems which become exploited with worms, trojan horses and botnets are directly vulnerable due to the lack of recent Windows updates and therefore the infection and spread of many types of malware and viruses could be mitigated with regular updates.<\/p>\r\n

Whether we are dealing with Windows 10 updates or Windows 7 updates, Microsoft updates can be categorized into the following categories:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

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  1. Security updates:<\/b>
    \r\nThese updates patch any security loopholes that could allow your Windows system to be compromised. They can be classified as critical, important, moderate, low and non-rated. The most important of these are the critical updates. Ignoring critical updates could render your PC or server extremely susceptible to malicious attacks from hackers and other security related risks.<\/li>\r\n\t
  2. Critical updates:<\/b>
    \r\nCritical updates help fix any major issues that could cause software errors (exploits) or unexpected behavior. In conjunction with security updates they account for the \u2018High Priority\u2019 category of updates from Microsoft and should be configured to download and install automatically.<\/li>\r\n\t
  3. Software updates:<\/b>
    \r\nThese fix non-critical issues like minor bugs and often provide extended features for software applications included with Windows.<\/li>\r\n\t
  4. Service Packs:<\/b>
    \r\nThese consist of a roll-up of all software patches for a specific software or OS and often come with additional feature changes and new tools and software.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

    Each update is identified by a number called it\u2019s KB (Knowledge Base) number<\/strong>. This provides more information on the changes made to the system or software. Security updates also get tagged with a Microsoft Security (MS) number<\/strong> which can be used to research more information about what the patch fixes and the original exploit.<\/p>\r\n

    Having touched on the different types of updates that are vital for the optimal performance of your Windows system, allow us to further explain the importance of ensuring that your system is constantly updated and patched with the latest security patches.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

    <\/span>1. Keeping Malicious Software at Bay<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\r\n

    No software is 100 % perfect nor secure and sooner or later loopholes are discovered. These loopholes can then be exploited by attackers to illegally access your system, steal important or personal information and potentially damage your system. Security loopholes reside in various components of the Windows Operating System including .NET framework, ActiveX and Internet Explorer to mention just a few.<\/p>\r\n

    When you have an application that you hardly run or use, it\u2019s prudent to patch it even when you are running an antivirus software. This is because your anti-malware or antivirus may not sufficiently shield you from imminent Windows issues. Potential repercussions of not installing the required security updates are dire and include loss and theft of data, damaged software and unfixable damage to the operating system. Annually, malware causes damages of an estimated hundreds of millions of dollars at a global level due to the lack of critical security updates by users.<\/p>\r\n

    A good example of this is the \u201cWanna cry Ransomware<\/strong>\u201d attack that hit the internet on May 12th 2017 and affected systems running unpatched versions of Windows 7, Windows 8, 8.1, Windows server 2003 & 2008 and Windows XP whose support by Microsoft came to an end and thus users were left critically vulnerable to security breaches and intrusion.<\/p>\r\n

    The malware took down 150,000 systems in more than 100 countries (this figure continues to rise). It grounded hospitals in the UK and even led to a loss of patient data. All that would could been avoided if the systems had been patched with the critical MS17-010 Security update. Vulnerabilities are exploited within hours of their discovery and therefore once a security update is available it\u2019s imperative that you install and fix your system before malware strikes.<\/p>\r\n

    <\/span>2. Resolving Non-critical Windows Issues and Bugs<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\r\n

    This type of update addresses general issues and bugs of the Windows Operating System. The updates are rolled up into one big update and while they may not be responsible for fixing any security vulnerabilities, lack of these can adversely degrade a system\u2019s performance and stability. It\u2019s generally considered important to install these updates to resolve or avoid performance issues with Windows and other installed components and applications.<\/p>\r\n

    <\/span>3. Access to New Windows \/ Software Features<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\r\n

    Windows updates open you up to a world of new features while fixing some known Windows issues. These updates come with significant improvements and sometimes add new core features. Inevitably, Microsoft will cease support of outdated software, for instance, the previous version of Internet Explorer. In fact, all users are expected to upgrade their old software to the latest or current versions.<\/p>\r\n

    <\/span>How to Turn on Automatic Updates for Windows 7<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\r\n

    There are a couple of methods for updating your copy of WIndows 7. These methods are simple for most users to follow.<\/p>\r\n

    Method 1<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

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    1. Hit the Start button<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t
    2. In the search text box that appears, type update<\/strong> and select the Windows Update option<\/strong> in the results list.<\/li>\r\n\t
    3. Select change settings<\/strong> in the left pane once it appears. Under important updates click the install updates automatically (recommended)<\/strong> option. \"Windows<\/li>\r\n\t
    4. Under the recommended updates option check the \u201cGive me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates<\/strong>\u201d option and click OK<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

      Method 2<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

      \r\n
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      1. Hit the Start button<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t
      2. Select Control Panel<\/strong> option.<\/li>\r\n\t
      3. Select System and Security<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t
      4. Repeat steps 3 and 4 from the above method.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

        <\/span>How to Turn on Automatic Updates for Windows 10<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\r\n

        By default<\/strong> Windows 10 comes with Updates automatically turned on<\/strong>. It is quite difficult to disable automatic updates on Windows 10, nonetheless we are including instructions below for manually searching for updates since there is no need to re-enable them manually:<\/p>\r\n

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        1. Hit the Start button<\/strong> then click on the Settings icon<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t
        2. Proceed to Update & Security<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t
        3. For manual checking of updates select the Check for Updates<\/strong> option.<\/li>\r\n\t
        4. If you wish to view update history hit the Update history<\/strong> option below Check for Updates.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

          <\/span>How to View Installed Windows 7 Updates<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\r\n
          \r\n
            \r\n\t
          1. Hit the Start button<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t
          2. Select Control Panel > Programs<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t
          3. Select the view Installed updates<\/strong> option under Programs and Features.<\/li>\r\n\t
          4. You\u2019ll find an update history<\/strong> with a list of all installed updates.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

            <\/span>How to View Installed Windows 10 Updates<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\r\n
            \r\n
              \r\n\t
            1. Select the Start button<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t
            2. Proceed to Settings > Update and Security<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t
            3. Select Windows Update<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t
            4. Navigate to Advanced Options<\/strong> and select View your Update history<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

              While most updates for Windows are flawless, on occasion you may run into an update which causes issues for your system. There is usually no need to clean install Windows 10 or other versions of Windows if this happens. Most of the time you can use a few simple steps to remove a Windows 10 update or an update from other versions of Windows.<\/p>\r\n

              Sometimes it may be necessary to remove or uninstall Windows updates<\/strong>, this includes partially failed installations<\/strong> such as ones that give the famous \u201cwindows update error <\/em>0x80070057\u201d.<\/p>\r\n

              <\/span>How to Uninstall Windows 7 Updates<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\r\n
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              1. Click on the Start button<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t
              2. Select Control Panel<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t
              3. Proceed to Programs and under Programs and Features, hit View installed updates<\/strong>. \"view<\/li>\r\n\t
              4. Select your preferred update for removal and click on uninstall<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

                <\/span>How to Uninstall Windows 10 Updates<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\r\n

                Uninstallation of windows updates is discouraged, however, should there arise a need for you to uninstall them, follow this procedure to stop Windows 10 update:<\/p>\r\n

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                  \r\n\t
                1. Click on the Start button<\/strong> then go to Settings<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t
                2. Select Update & Security<\/strong> then Windows Update and hit on Advanced Options<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t
                3. Select View your update history<\/strong> and finally hit Uninstall updates<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t
                4. Select the update you prefer to uninstall and click on Uninstall<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

                  Please note uninstalling Windows 10 updates is not the same as fully removing a Windows 10 Update. Windows 10 updates can\u2019t be removed, only uninstalled.<\/p>\r\n

                  <\/span>How to Disable Windows 7 Updates<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\r\n

                  Disabling windows 7 updates is not recommended, if you do need to disable updates you should do so cautiously.<\/p>\r\n

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                    \r\n\t
                  1. To disable Windows Updates<\/strong> click on Start<\/strong> and then on the run option type \u201cservices.msc<\/samp>\u201d<\/li>\r\n\t
                  2. then press the run button<\/strong>. This will bring up the services window<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t
                  3. Look for Windows Update entry<\/strong> and right click on it then click on properties<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

                    The Windows Update properties screen will load. Change the startup type to disabled and click on the stop button under Service Status to stop the windows update.<\/p>\r\n

                    <\/span>How to Disable Windows 10 Updates<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\r\n

                    To disable Windows 10 Updates from your system:<\/p>\r\n

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                    1. click on Start button<\/strong> and on the search tab type \u201cservices<\/em>\u201d<\/li>\r\n\t
                    2. then click or press enter on the Services icon that appears. The Services window will appear.<\/li>\r\n\t
                    3. Look for the Windows Update option<\/strong> and double click it.<\/li>\r\n\t
                    4. The Windows Update Properties will pop up, here you need to change the Startup type to Disabled<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t
                    5. and then on the Service status<\/strong> click on the Stop button<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t
                    6. Then click Ok<\/strong> to close the window.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

                      Note:<\/strong> Some versions of Windows 10 such as OEM modified versions do not allow this option. In those cases the only way to disable Windows 10 updates is to set your wireless internet connection to \u201cmetered<\/strong>\u201d in the Windows Networking panel and thus trick your computer to disable windows 10 updates. If you connect to another wireless network updates may resume normally.<\/p>\r\n

                      <\/span>Windows 10 Update Stuck or Frozen<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\r\n

                      It\u2019s possible to run into a number of situations which can lead to windows update not working<\/strong>. While this type of situation is not common Windows 10, if you do have issues with Windows 10 update there are a few solutions<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n

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