Windows updates manually or automatic

Maranna · Feb 22, 2022

When I click on Windows Update and one is available I notice afterwards if I click on the Windows Update troubleshooter it says there is a problem and it fixes it the problem.
It is in bits.
I also have read that windows should be updated automatically because windows itself does not always want to install an update on your system.
Now I am confused as to whether to set my computer just two automatic updates which are very infrequent or to manual updates which I see often.

jvickers · Feb 22, 2022

Maranna said:
When I click on Windows Update and one is available I notice afterwards if I click on the Windows Update troubleshooter it says there is a problem and it fixes it the problem.
It is in bits.
I also have read that windows should be updated automatically because windows itself does not always want to install an update on your system.
Now I am confused as to whether to set my computer just two automatic updates which are very infrequent or to manual updates which I see often.

I set my updates to manual and check it updates every morning manually. I like to be able to create a backup of my system prior to installing the major updates, and you can't really do that if they're set to automatic.

Maranna · Feb 22, 2022

I understand and thank you for your reply.

The-Hive · Feb 22, 2022

I have mine on automatic and the ones I need to check are the previews (which I never install) and that sort of thing, so all the stuff I need is done for me. I have never had a problem but if I click check for updates it gives me all sorts of stuff I may or may not want

jvickers · Feb 22, 2022

The-Hive said:
I have mine on automatic and the ones I need to check are the previews (which I never install) and that sort of thing, so all the stuff I need is done for me. I have never had a problem but if I click check for updates it gives me all sorts of stuff I may or may not want

Oh, come on. Checking for updates manually is like having Christmas every day! Well, on the days they update, that is.

Maranna · Feb 22, 2022

It seems we all have different reasons for doing what we do but in my case I do not want something in my machine that is undesirable.
I do however want definitions as soon as possible for security.
I guess I am back to square one.
I appreciate the replies however.
Google and the web in general is still full of Windows 10 and not much specific help.
How can I tell if I am in automatic mode?

humbird · Feb 22, 2022

I think it is just going to be your preference in this case. I actually do both. Let windows check automatically, but when it takes too long for one to appear I check it myself.

idgat · Feb 22, 2022

Automatic updates, frequent manual system image creation, nightly backup personal data.

If things go pear-shaped, personal data is up to date, system 3-4 days out-of-date (which probably didn't change in that time, anyway).

Maranna · Feb 22, 2022

I do understand about personal preferences but how do I know if my computer is set to automatic?
The reason I ask is because every time I click manually to install an update if I run the windows troubleshooter it detects that there's a problem with bits. So I think your computer is either automatic or manual but not both, but I don't know that.
So, for the sake of knowledge how do I know if my computer is set to automatic?

jvickers · Feb 22, 2022

I'd probably do the opposite of what this tells you to do to disable it:

[9 Ways] How to Disable/Enable Automatic Windows 11 Updates? - MiniTool

How to disable Windows 11 automatic updates? How to return system auto-update service? How uninstall Win11 updates by restoring the OS to its former status?

www.minitool.com

GCG1000 · Feb 22, 2022

Maranna said:
I do understand about personal preferences but how do I know if my computer is set to automatic?
The reason I ask is because every time I click manually to install an update if I run the windows troubleshooter it detects that there's a problem with bits. So I think your computer is either automatic or manual but not both, but I don't know that.
So, for the sake of knowledge how do I know if my computer is set to automatic?

Probably when Window tells you need to restart now, or better yet: periodically check Your OS Build to see if there have been any deltas.

AddRAM · Feb 22, 2022

I believe W11 is set to Automatic out of the box, and if a update is optional it will tell you.
Why are you clicking on the troubleshooter ? Is Windows Update actually telling you something is wrong ?
There should be a Tutorial on how to fix Windows Update if indeed there is something wrong with it. I`ll look.
I will also ask Shawn to have a look at your thread.
Here ya go, if you want to have a go at it.

Reset Windows Update in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to completely reset Windows Update components and policies to default in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows Update keeps Windows 11 updated by automatically downloading and installing the latest updates, drivers, and hotfixes released by Microsoft. Sometimes you...

www.elevenforum.com

AddRAM · Feb 22, 2022

This is what I use, and have never had an issue with it. Use Option #7

Enable or Disable Windows Update Automatic Updates in Windows 10

How to Enable or Disable Automatic Updates for Windows Update in Windows 10

www.tenforums.com

humbird · Feb 22, 2022

When your computer updates does the computer update OK? What does windows say is the problem with bits? Is it not starting? Any other errors?

Maranna · Feb 23, 2022

21H2 22000.527
The above is my OS and build
I was going to ask before I try the techy suggestions which might be over my head and make and error, if I go to services.msc and have Windows update set to running and automatic, will that be enough to have Windows update running ok?
I really appreciate the referrals but am afraid I might make a mistake. If services.msc does not make it ok I will try those referrals.
For as long as I used the computer I clicked on update about 4x's daily and never seemed to have an issue. The reason I did it was to have up to date definitions.

jvickers · Feb 23, 2022

I don't see why the services.msc set to automatic shouldn't work. It seems safest if that's what you're looking for.
Also, if you're pulling errors when trying to manually update, there could be something larger wrong. You'd have to describe your issue in more detail, though. What's the exact message you're getting, for instance?

Maranna · Feb 23, 2022

I have never had an problem. Please read post one. I ran the windows update troubleshooter out of curiosity and noticed after manually checking it would say there is a problem. I think that was the beginning of this dialogue. I figured if the trouble shooter said problem that it was made to auto update and not to click manually or it would not have reset itself.
If I never ran the troubleshooter out of curiosity this thread would not have been developed. It seems if you set it to auto you should not check it manually or the troubleshooter would not reset it. Sorry to be vague or split fine hairs but I want to install the material my machine should have and on time. I was clicking on update as I did or years so I would have the latest definitions but now I understand I may be installing material my pc does not want. I guess I will just leave it on auto and am glad you feel services.msc did that.

Maranna · Feb 23, 2022

AddRAM said:
This is what I use, and have never had an issue with it. Use Option #7

Enable or Disable Windows Update Automatic Updates in Windows 10

How to Enable or Disable Automatic Updates for Windows Update in Windows 10

www.tenforums.com

I don't know if they are the same but you have Windows 10 and I have 11.

AddRAM · Feb 23, 2022

@Maranna, I have 10 and 11 and I use the same program on both systems.
I simply pin the icon to my Taskbar and run it when I want to run it.

humbird · Feb 24, 2022

Automatic updates will update your computer when you are scheduled to get them. Unless you want optional updates or the preview updates, which you would need to run it yourself.

Windows updates manually or automatic

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