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How can you download and install optional Windows updates?

Author

Charlotte Adams

Published Mar 06, 2026

How can you download and install optional Windows updates?

How to install optional updates using Settings
  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Update & Security.
  3. Click on Windows Update.
  4. Click the View optional update link.
  5. Expand the update category, such as the Driver updates section.
  6. Check the optional update that you want to configure.
  7. Click the Download and install button.

Simply so, do I need to install optional Windows updates?

While Microsoft recommends installing most updates, optional updates are not essential. If you don't install them, your system will still be secure. If you do install them, you will have access to new software and enhanced features.

Also Know, how do I install missing Windows updates? Select the Start button . Type Update in the search box, and select Windows Update from the list of results. In the left pane, select Change settings, and then under Important updates, select Install updates automatically (recommended).

Similarly one may ask, can you manually download Windows updates?

Instead of scanning your computer for any necessary updates, you can browse Microsoft Update Catalog to manually download Windows updates. Microsoft Update Catalog includes driver updates, hotfixes, and software updates. To use it, just search for the update you need and then download and install it yourself.

What are Windows 10 optional updates?

Optional updates are updates that are not critical for keeping Windows up-to-date, secure, and reliable. Usually, they include third-party drivers for devices you have installed, OEM utilities, and device-specific patches. With release of Windows 10, optional updates had gone. This change wasn't welcomed by many users.

Should I install optional updates Windows 10?

While Microsoft recommends installing most updates, optional updates are not essential. If you don't install them, your system will still be secure. If you do install them, you will have access to new software and enhanced features.
Recommended updates are those that aren't strictly necessary, but may add features, improve performance (e.g., new drivers), or provide new functionality which may be come necessary to use newer software (e.g., . NET frameworks).

How do you update Windows?

Open Windows Update by clicking the Start button in the lower left corner. In the search box, type Update, and then, in the list of results, click either Windows Update or Check for updates. Click the Check for updates button and then wait while Windows looks for the latest updates for your computer.

What is preview of monthly quality rollup for Windows 7?

The Preview of Monthly Rollup is product specific and addresses new non-security updates, and includes fixes from the latest Monthly Rollup. This Preview of Monthly Rollup would be displayed under the title Preview of Monthly Quality Rollup when you download or install and will be classified as an "Optional" update."

How do I turn off optional updates in Windows 10?

Here's how:
  1. Step 1: Open the Program and Features in Control Panel.
  2. Step 2: On the left pane of Programs and Features, click on Turn Windows Features on or off link.
  3. Step 3: On Windows Features, check (On) or clear ( Off) the feature you want.
  4. Step 4: Click OK to apply this change.

What is a cumulative update for Windows 10?

A new cumulative update is now available for devices running the Windows 10 May 2019 Update. This update pushes the build number to 18362.387. The update includes several bug fixes, including helping devices stay connected to VPNs when on cellular networks.

What is a security monthly quality rollup?

A security monthly quality update (also known as the "monthly rollup") that will contain all new security fixes for a month (the same ones in the security-only quality update), plus fixes from all previous monthly rollups. This one gets published to Windows Update for consumer PCs, WSUS, and the Windows Update Catalog.

What is preview of quality rollup for .NET framework?

NET Framework version applicability, to ensure that you only install updates on systems where they apply.

Microsoft Update Catalog.

Product VersionPreview of Quality Rollup
.NET Framework 4.8Catalog4531182
Windows Server 2008Catalog4524744
.NET Framework 2.0, 3.0Catalog4507003
.NET Framework 4.5.2Catalog4507001

How do I download the 1903 update?

Use the steps below to install Windows 10 1903 update manually:
  1. Open Windows 10 Update Assistant page (opens in a new browser tab).
  2. Then click Update now (highlighted in the previous image).
  3. Open the folder you saved the update assistant file.
  4. When the Update to latest version of Windows 10 page opens, click Update Now.

How do I manually install Windows Update CAB file?

Steps:
  1. Download the CAB Files x86 / X64 depending upon the OS architecture.
  2. Rename file to KBnumber.сab (for example KB3176931.Cab)
  3. Copy to folder C:
  4. Run command-prompt as admin (Right click on Windows icon and choose option).
  5. Enter the command “DISM.exe /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:c:KBnumber.cab“

How do I manually download a Windows patch?

How to download cumulative updates
  1. Visit the Microsoft Update Catalog website.
  2. Do a search for the update using the KB number for the update you want.
  3. Click the Download button for the 64-bit or 32-bit version of the update.
  4. A pop-up window will appear with a direct download link, click it to download the .

Can I still get Windows 10 for free 2019?

Step 1: Download the Windows 10 Media Creation tool
As of late 2019, this free upgrade method still works if you know where to go, so it's by far the best option for those with the right computers. First, you'll want to head to Microsoft's website to download Windows 10 for free.

Do I have to update to Windows 10 version 1903?

Version 1903, called the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, is the feature update that preceded the November 2019 Update. Windows 10 Home and Pro users can now control whether to install the twice-yearly feature updates like the Windows 10 May 2019 Update via a new “Download and install now” option.

How much does it cost to upgrade to Windows 10?

Since its official release a year ago, Windows 10 has been a free upgrade to Windows 7 and 8.1 users. When that freebie ends today, you technically will be forced to shell out $119 for the regular edition of Windows 10 and $199 for the Pro flavor if you want to upgrade.

What is latest version of Windows 10?

The latest version of Windows 10 is the November 2019 Update, version “1909,” which was released on November 12, 2019. Microsoft releases new major updates every six months. These major updates can take some time to reach your PC since Microsoft and PC manufacturers do extensive testing before fully rolling them out.

What do I do if my computer is stuck updating?

How to fix a stuck Windows update
  1. Make sure the updates really are stuck.
  2. Turn it off and on again.
  3. Check the Windows Update utility.
  4. Run Microsoft's troubleshooter program.
  5. Launch Windows in Safe Mode.
  6. Go back in time with System Restore.
  7. Delete the Windows Update file cache yourself.
  8. Launch a thorough virus scan.

Why Windows updates are not installing?

Restart the computer, then turn Automatic Updates back on. Open Windows Update, select Change Settings. Under Important Updates, click the dropdown and select Install updates automatically (recommended). Click OK to save your changes, and then select Check for updates to download and install any remaining updates.

Is there a problem with Windows 10 update?

If there's a problem with running Windows Update, there is a chance that you may have one or multiple corrupted system files, which you can repair using the System File Checker (SFC) command tool. To repair the Windows 10 installation to resolve issues with Windows Update, use these steps: Open Start.

How do I fix Windows 10 not installing updates?

To fix Windows Update to download the new feature update, use these steps:
  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Update & Security.
  3. Click on Troubleshoot.
  4. Under the "Get up and running" section, select the Windows Update option.
  5. Click the Run the troubleshooter button.
  6. Click the Apply this fix option (if applicable).

Does Windows 10 install updates automatically?

Microsoft has a major announcement today: Windows 10 will no longer automatically install those big feature updates every six months. Home users can pause smaller updates, too. In fact, Windows will even let you pause updates after checking for them!

How do you reset Windows 7 updates?

To reset the Windows Update components, follow these steps:
  1. Open a command prompt.
  2. Stop the BITS service, the Windows Update service, and the Cryptographic service.
  3. Delete the qmgr*.dat files.

Can I use my computer while Windows is updating?

Windows update is mostly safe to do while performing other tasks, with the caveat that if a file needs to be replaced, it must not be open for read/write at that time. Nowadays, Windows is good about replacing files during shutdown and restart, making file replacements safer.

Are Windows 7 updates still available?

Windows 7 Still Works, But It's Time to Move On
Heck, you can even install Windows 7 on a new system. Windows Update will still download all the patches Microsoft released before ending support. Things will keep working on January 15, 2020 nearly the same as they did on January 13, 2020. It's time to upgrade.

Where is the Windows Update button?

Open Windows Update by clicking the Start button in the lower left corner. In the search box, type Update, and then, in the list of results, click either Windows Update or Check for updates. Click the Check for updates button and then wait while Windows looks for the latest updates for your computer.

Why is the Windows update taking so long?

Outdated or corrupted drivers on your PC can also trigger this issue. For example, if your network driver is outdated or corrupted, it may slow down your download speed, so Windows update may take much longer than before. To fix this issue, you need to update your drivers.

Is it safe to install Windows 10 1903?

Windows 10 version 1903 should be safe to install for everyone else, and this update brings useful news feature such as Windows Sandbox, passwordless login, as well as the ability to access Linux files from within File Explorer.

Why is the Windows 10 update taking so long?

Why do updates take so long to install? Windows 10 updates take a while to complete because Microsoft is constantly adding larger files and features to them. The biggest updates, released in the spring and fall of every year, take upwards of four hours to install — if there are no problems.

How long is the Windows 10 update?

It may take between 10 and 20 minutes to update Windows 10 on a modern PC with solid-state storage. The installation process may take longer on a conventional hard drive.

How do you install optional updates?

How to install optional updates using Settings
  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Update & Security.
  3. Click on Windows Update.
  4. Click the View optional update link.
  5. Expand the update category, such as the Driver updates section.
  6. Check the optional update that you want to configure.
  7. Click the Download and install button.