Changing The Settings For Windows Update In Windows 8 And 8.1

For Windows 8 and 8.1, Microsoft tends to push security updates once per month to keep PCs secure . Miscellaneous updates can be sent to users whenever necessary, too. First-time users will notice that the operating system asks users to enable automatic updates. Otherwise, a given person must manually install updates, which can be a hassle. Users can always change the Windows Update settings for their system in a few simple steps.

How To Turn Automatic Updates On and Off

From the Settings Tab, users should click Change PC Settings. This will bring up a second menu with the Update and Recovery portal. A user must then click or tap on Chose How Updates Get Installed. At this point, three different options are available, and a user must select the settings that suit their preferences for Windows 8 best.

The first option is Important Updates. Typically, such updates contain security patches and performance improvements. No user should pass on these updates, so they should be set to automatically update. Advanced users might consider unchecking the box for automatic updates, though. Likewise, recommended updates can be set to automatic or manually, based upon a user’s preferences.

Microsoft Updates involve products from the company outside of Windows 8 and 8.1. This includes Microsoft Office and other programs. As with important and recommended updates, users can have these updates applied to their systems automatically. Optional updates from Microsoft don’t feature an automatic option and must be installed manually. Changed settings will apply after the next system restart.

The Importance of Automatic Updates

Most Windows 8 and 8.1 users need to opt into automatic updates. System updates are too important to ignore. When a person must handle updates manually, the updates are often ignored until the last minute. Therefore, nothing is more important than automatic updates for Windows Update. This holds true for basic and advanced users alike. Automated updates occur in the background and won’t bother users.

Check These Settings Frequently!

If a user notices that updates aren’t being applied each month, then they’ll need to perform some troubleshooting. Sometimes, the settings need to be changed to enable automatic updates. Windows Update is an incredibly important tool built into Windows 8 and 8.1 that users can’t ignore. Far too many users would otherwise ignore vital PC updates that improve the security, performance, and reliability of a system.

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