Running Updates on a Windows 11 PC

Here are step-by-step instructions for running updates, including optional updates, on a Windows 11 PC device:

1. Open Windows Settings

Click the Start button (Windows icon) on the taskbar, or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
Select the Settings gear icon.
- Alternatively, press Windows + I to open Settings directly.

2. Navigate to Windows Update

In the Settings window, select Windows Update from the left-hand sidebar (usually the last option).

3. Check for Updates

Click the Check for updates button- even if there is a notice that says you are up to date.
Windows will search for available updates and can load for several minutes. Allow this to finish loading.

4. Install Important Updates

If updates are found, download and install any updates.
- You may be prompted to Restart now or Schedule a restart to complete the installation, so ensure you have saved everything you are working on before restarting.
- Many updates require your device to be plugged into a power source and have a certain percentage of battery. If any updates are failing, please ensure your device is firmly plugged in and charged over 40% battery.

5. View and Install Optional Updates

For devices that are experiencing issues, it is advisable to run Optional updates and perform a restart of the device- your IT technician might also recommend this step to you.
On the Windows Update page, look for a link or section called Advanced options or Optional updates. You can do this while the Important updates are still loading.
Click on Optional updates.
Here you may find:
Driver updates
- Feature updates that are not mandatory
- Other quality updates for peripherals you have.
Check the boxes next to the optional updates—you are encouraged to install all of them unless instructed otherwise. The reason for this is that we cannot determine which updates are critical for your issue without inspecting them and the issue closer, but for the purposes of resolving your current issue, installing extra updates will not cause any harm.
- Note that not all updates may install successfully and this is completely normal. For example, if an update is for a device like a printer you connected in the past but aren't currently using, it may not install. This is common and nothing to worry about if some optional updates don’t run.
Click Download and install.

6. Restart Your PC if Needed

After installing optional updates, restart your PC if prompted to finish the update process.