Update Sequence

Nzyme · Jun 9, 2024

Hello people. I was trying to update Windows 11 in a virtual machine and observed this?

As you can see, some updates are getting downloaded while others are actively getting installed and finally some are awaiting a restart.

I know it's best to just wait and let everything download/install and finally restart the PC, but a novice user might not pay attention and might just click the big blue restart button thereby interrupting the ongoing download/installs. In my opinion, this is not a good sequence.

MS should have a proper update sequence and should show the restart button only after all the updates have installed/partially installed (in case a restart is needed to complete the rest of installation). What do you think about this behaviour? Is it indeed correct or it should change?

OAT · Jun 9, 2024

Nzyme said:
Hello people. I was trying to update Windows 11 in a virtual machine and observed this?

View attachment 98766

As you can see, some updates are getting downloaded while others are actively getting installed and finally some are awaiting a restart.

I know it's best to just wait and let everything download/install and finally restart the PC, but a novice user might not pay attention and might just click the big blue restart button thereby interrupting the ongoing download/installs. In my opinion, this is not a good sequence.

MS should have a proper update sequence and should show the restart button only after all the updates have installed/partially installed (in case a restart is needed to complete the rest of installation). What do you think about this behaviour? Is it indeed correct or it should change?

I have restarted systems countless times while downloading or updating over the years, when prompted to do so.
Downloads/installations have always resumed where they had left off, without problems.
In your case, you have a CU update to .NET, a security update and an OS CU , all different anyway.
With billions of Windows OSs in the world, this woud be known by now if this was a problem.
A non-issue, IMO.

Note: I am only referring to restarting only when prompted and on the WU screen.

Wisewiz · Jun 9, 2024

I agree completely with @OAT. Once the Restart button shows, I routinely click it. The WU process includes the cache, and when I have restarted and re-opened WUpdate, it draws from the WU cache and resumes without any problem. Sometimes it seems to be downloading already downloaded files again, but I think that's a misleading display. It just works.

BrianInEngland · Jun 9, 2024

OAT said:
I have restarted systems countless times while downloading or updating over the years, when prompted to do so.
Downloads/installations have always resumed where they had left off, without problems.
In your case, you have a CU update to .NET, a security update and an OS CU , all different anyway.
With billions of Windows OSs in the world, this woud be known by now if this was a problem.
A non-issue, IMO.

Note: I am only referring to restarting only when prompted and on the WU screen.

For non-savvy users it would be better if the Restart button wasn't available until all the updates are done.
I wait anyway, why restart twice?

glasskuter · Jun 9, 2024

Sometimes, subsequent updates require that previous updates be installed first and sometimes those previous updates require a restart. Only MS knows when this condition exists. It works.WU picks up where it left off. I agree. In my opinion it's a non-issue.

Mooly · Jun 9, 2024

The average user will never open the Update screens and they will simply wait until prompted by a pop up message or the system tray restart icon appearing should they happen to notice it.

Fwiw I always wait until that tray icon appears and with the Update page open I wait until all updates have reached there final state whatever that may whether completed or pending restart. Never had an issue doing that.

Nzyme · Jun 11, 2024

Thank you, folks, for your opinion. Appreciate it. I am aware that updates can resume downloading/installing even in case they are interrupted by a restart, however, considering that there may be drivers/other important updates being installed, it's not recommended to do that as there is always a risk of a corrupt install.

It would be better if the restart button is only shown after all the ongoing updates are fully downloaded/installed. In case, there is an update which is dependent on another update, then that one update should first be offered and after restart, the other updates should be offered.