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Windows Updates

Keeping your Windows Server updated is critical for security and performance. On a server, you need to carefully manage when updates are installed to avoid unexpected reboots and service interruptions.

These instructions focus on the classic Control Panel interface. Depending on your OS version, some settings may also be located in the modern "Settings" app.

Step 1

Open Windows Update Settings

The most direct way to access the update settings is by using a command in the "Run" dialog (Win + R).

Open Windows Update
control /name Microsoft.WindowsUpdate
Step 2

Understanding the Main Options

In the main Windows Update window, you will see the current update status. From here you can:

Check for updates:
Manually scan for new available updates.
Update history:
See a list of previously installed updates (useful for troubleshooting).
Change settings:
Configure how your server handles updates in the future.
Step 3

Choosing an Update Strategy

Under "Important updates", choose the method that best fits your maintenance schedule:

Install updates automatically (Recommended for Desktop)
While secure, this may cause your server to reboot automatically.
Download updates but let me choose whether to install them
A good balance. Updates are ready, you decide when to start the maintenance.
Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them
Maximum control. Nothing is downloaded until you approve.
Never check for updates (Not Recommended)
This is a major security risk and should be avoided.
Summary

Recommended Configuration

For most server environments, "Download updates but let me choose..." is the best practice.

Server Best Practices: Always schedule a regular maintenance window (e.g., during off-peak hours) to install pending updates and perform a controlled reboot.

Microsoft Documentation

For detailed information on update management, visit the official Microsoft Learn portal.