Troubleshoot problems when installing updates

The following are solutions to some common problems that you encounter when installing updates. You can solve these problems by running the troubleshooter to automatically fix some common problems by using Windows update.

Open the Windows Update Troubleshooter in the following ways: Swipe from the right edge of the screen, click "Search" (if you use the mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, then move the pointer down, click Search), enter the troubleshooter in the search box, and then click or click Settings and Troubleshooting ". Under System and security, click or click Use Windows update to solve the problem.

I tried to install the update, but one or more of the updates could not be installed.

Do you try to install updates manually? Some of these errors are just bad timing issues that can be caused by a variety of other factors, such as web site congestion, Internet connectivity problems, and so on. Sometimes, you can try to install updates again to fix these problems.

To check for updates

1. Open Windows Update in Control Panel in the following ways: Swipe from the right edge of the screen, click "Search" (point to the upper-right corner of the screen if you use the mouse, then move the pointer down, click Search), and then enter a Windows update in the search box. Then click or click "Settings" and "Install optional updates" in turn.

2. In the left pane, click or click Check for updates, and then wait for Windows to find the latest updates for your computer.

3. If an update is found, please click or click "Install Update".

Read and accept the license terms, and then click or click Finish (if this is required by the update). The system may require you to provide an administrator password or confirm your choice.

I don't know what updates are installed.

Windows update saves the update history so you can see what updates were installed.

To view the update history

1. Open Windows Update in Control Panel in the following ways: Swipe from the right edge of the screen, click "Search" (point to the upper-right corner of the screen if you use the mouse, then move the pointer down, click Search), and then enter a Windows update in the search box. Then click or click "Settings" and "Install optional updates" in turn.

2. In the left pane, click or click View Update history.

I always receive updates that I don't need or have deleted from Windows.

You can hide the update so that "Windows update" will not provide you with the update (unless you choose to restore it).

Steps to hide Updates

1. Open Windows Update in Control Panel in the following ways: Swipe from the right edge of the screen, click "Search" (point to the upper-right corner of the screen if you use the mouse, then move the pointer down, click Search), and then enter a Windows update in the search box. Then click or click "Settings" and "Install optional updates" in turn.

2. Do one of the following: If you are told you have an important update available, click the link. If you are told you have an optional update, click the link.

3. Select any updates that you want to hide, long press or right click the update, click or click Hide Updates, and then click or click OK.

I have hidden an update, but now I want to install it.

You need to restore the update to the list, and then install it.

To restore an update

1. Open Windows Update in Control Panel in the following ways: Swipe from the right edge of the screen, click "Search" (point to the upper-right corner of the screen if you use the mouse, then move the pointer down, click Search), and then enter a Windows update in the search box. Then click or click "Settings" and "Install optional updates" in turn.

2. In the left pane, click or click "Restore hidden Updates."

3. Select the updates that you want to install, and then click or click Restore. Windows automatically checks for updates, and then prompts you to install the restored updates and any new updates that are available.

I restored the hidden update, but I couldn't find the update to install.

This can happen if the latest updates overlap functionally with the updates that you are trying to restore. Windows updates will only provide you with the latest updates.

My computer was turned off during the scheduled update.

If you have missed the scheduled update when you started your computer, Windows checks for updates. You can install it now or later. If the computer is started during the next scheduled update, these updates will be installed at this time. You can also install updates that are available when you turn off your computer.

The system always prompts me to reboot the computer to complete the update installation.

Some updates apply to files or services that Windows is using, so you cannot install these updates when you run Windows. You should save your work, turn off all open applications, and then reboot the computer to complete the update process.

My computer stops responding when checking or installing updates.

If your computer stops responding when you check or install an update, you can try the following steps to resolve the problem.

If your computer stops responding when you check for updates

1. Try again to check for updates.

2. If step 1 is not valid, try running the Windows Update troubleshooter at the top of this page.

3. If the problem persists, try to search for questions at the WIN8 forum.

If your computer stops responding after you install the update and reboot

1. Use System Restore to restore the computer to a previous point in time. To do this, follow these steps:

Press the power button to turn off the computer, and then press the power button again to open the computer.

Wait for the auto repair screen to appear.