How to check for updates on Windows 11

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-check-for-updates-on-windows-11/ · Checked October 2026 · Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 (build 26200.9457), Microsoft Cloud PC

3 of 5 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below

Device

Windows

Shown on

Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 (build 26200.9457), Microsoft Cloud PC

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Windows Update

Real screenshots

3 of 5 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. Open Settings

   Press Windows + I, or right-click the Start button and choose Settings.

   Watch these steps Done

2. 

   Choose Windows Update

   It is the last entry in the list on the left; scroll down the list if you cannot see it.

   On our Cloud PC it sat just below Privacy & security.

   Done

3. 

   Click Check for updates

   The button is at the top right. Windows looks for new updates and starts downloading them. Stay connected to power on a laptop.

   On our Cloud PC the page said You're up to date.

   Done

4. Restart when asked

   Microsoft says some updates finish only after a restart. Save your work and click Restart now, or pick a time under Schedule the restart.

   Done

5. 

   Look at optional updates

   Click Advanced options, then Optional updates at the top of the page (Feature, quality, and driver updates). Install these if you have a problem with a device such as Wi-Fi, sound or the touchpad.

   On our Cloud PC it showed 0 available.

   Done

Watch these steps

What we saw on our device

• Choose Windows Update: On our Cloud PC it sat just below Privacy & security.
• Click Check for updates: On our Cloud PC the page said You're up to date.
• Look at optional updates: On our Cloud PC it showed 0 available.

If you do not see this option

• Windows Update is not in the list Scroll down the list on the left. On our Cloud PC it was the last entry, below Privacy & security. The Settings Home page also had a Windows Update tile with Check for updates at the top right.
• An option is greyed out On a work or school PC, options such as Get the latest updates as soon as they're available can be locked. On our Cloud PC it was set to Off with "This setting isn't available due to your organization's policy".
• There are no optional updates If Optional updates shows 0 available, as on our Cloud PC, there is nothing extra to install.

If this does not work

• You are not asked to restart No restart is needed when nothing is waiting. On our Cloud PC no restart was pending after checking.
• An update keeps failing Free some disk space and try Check for updates again.
• A device still does not work Look under Advanced options, then Optional updates, for driver updates from your PC maker.

About this guide

Updates fix security holes and bugs. Windows installs most of them by itself, but checking by hand is useful after a long break, before travelling, or when something is not working.

Good to know

On our Cloud PC there was no Active hours row under Advanced options. Where it is shown, use it so Windows does not restart while you are working.

On a work or school PC some update options are greyed out with "This setting isn't available due to your organization's policy", as on our Cloud PC. Only the IT department can change those.

You can pause updates from the same page with Pause updates and Pick a date, for example before an exam or a trip. Do not leave them paused for long.

If an update fails again and again, free some disk space first: how to free up disk space on Windows 11.

In short: Settings, Windows Update, Check for updates, then restart.