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This webpage was created to provide easy step-by-step instructions to manually update Windows computers for personally owned/home Windows computers. Since Microsoft security patches are released every month, we recommend you follow the instructions below to enable automatic updates on your home computer.
A fully patched computer helps protect your home network and from ransomware, cybersecurity threats and other problems. Enabling automatic updates on your home computers is an important first step to keeping you and your family safe online.
Instructions for Apple computers: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201541
Instructions for Windows computers: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/311047/how-to-keep-your-windows-computer-up-to-date
Windows 10
1. Click on the Windows Start button (lower left corner).
2. Click on "Settings" (gear icon).
3. Find and click on "Update & Security".
4. Click on the "Check for updates" button to download and install any updates. Once it's complete you may be prompted to restart your computer.
Windows 8.1
1. Open the Charms menu by swiping in from the right edge of the screen (if you have a touch-enabled screen) - OR - move the mouse pointer to the lower right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up.
If you are having issues with accessing the Charms menu, you can also open the Start menu and searching for "Settings".
2. Click on "Settings".
3. Click on "Change PC settings".
4. Click on "Update and recovery".
5. Click on "Windows Update".
6. To check for updates, click on "Check now".
Windows 7
Please note that Microsoft no longer supports Windows 7 as of January 14, 2020.
January 14th was the day the final security update for Windows 7 computers was released by Microsoft. Windows 7 computers that connect to the Internet will rapidly become more and more insecure from now on and at risk for cybersecurity threats. If you use Windows 7 at home, it is likely end-of-life. Please consider replacing it with a new computer.
1. Click on the Start button (lower left corner).
2. Type Update in the search box and select Windows Update from the list of results.
You can also click on Start, Control Panel, System and Security, Windows Update.
3. Click on Check for updates.
