How to Update My Laptop

By Brandon Wood

Get the latest version of Windows running on your laptop.
i laptop image by Ewe Degiampietro from Fotolia.com

New programs and features are constantly under development for computers. Updates to fix bugs, enhance your Internet experience and scan for security threats include just a few of the Microsoft updates available for download. Microsoft Windows isn't perfect, and if you don't update your computer often you may not have access to newer features, or get the latest security updates for Windows Defender. Updating your laptop is no different from updating a desktop PC and only takes a few minutes.

Open Windows Update. Windows Update is a program that is installed with Windows on every computer. You can get to Windows update by clicking the "Start" menu and typing "Update." Click on "Windows Update."

Check if your computer is up to date. You can check new updates by selecting "Check for Updates" from Windows update. "Check for Updates" is an icon in the top-left corner of the Windows update menu. Windows will display all available updates.

Choose which updates to install. Windows will classify updates into "Optional" and "Recommended" categories. You can go to each of these sections by clicking the link (the titles act as links). You can manually choose which updates to install. If you choose to manually update your computer, Microsoft recommends you check for updates once a week.

Set up your computer to automatically update. On the Windows Update screen, click "Change Settings" on the left. You will see a pull-down menu that allows you to choose to install updates manually or automatically. You also can choose when your computer installs these updates.

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