Microsoft makes available updates for Windows 10 in the regular basis to patch any security hole and to improve the functionality of the operating system. However, even now that updates are mandatory to keep devices always up to date, sometimes updates may not appear for download on your computer for a long time.
Jul 31, 2019 Windows 10 is the most secure Windows ever, and we recommend you stay updated to protect your PC from security risks and to keep it running smoothly. However, you can temporarily pause updates as well as schedule a restart to install updates at a time that's convenient for you. Learn how to temporarily pause updates.
Most of the time, you will want to use the built-in Windows Update utility in Windows 10 to apply updates or let them roll out on their own. However, even with updates being mandatory in Windows 10, sometimes they may not appear for download on your computer right away.
Although Windows Update is the preferred method to get updates, Microsoft also allows users to manually download new patches as they become available through the 'Microsoft Update Catalog' website. While mainly a resource for IT administrators who need to test updates before pushing them to devices in their network, you can use the Update Catalog to quickly download a new update if it's not showing for you in Windows Update as an alternative option.
If you have experienced any Windows 10 Fall Creators Update problems since downloading and installing the major update, then you've come to the right place, as we're constantly updating this.
In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to find, download, and install updates manually on your device.
How to download cumulative updates
It's important to note that the Microsoft Update Catalog doesn't list anything, instead it's a search page, where you must know exactly the update you want to download.
The easiest way to find an update is knowing its Knowledge Base reference number. For example, on October 11th, Microsoft released Windows 10 build 14393.321, which Knowledge Base reference was KB3194798. You can find the references when we publish a new article about a new update, or when you visit the Windows 10 Update History website. Then do the following:
Visit the Microsoft Update Catalog website.
Quick Tip: If you can't access the site using Microsoft Edge, you can also try opening a new InPrivate window, which should let you get through.
Do a search for the update using the KB number for the update you want. For example, KB3194798.
Click the Download button for the 64-bit or 32-bit version of the update. If you don't know your system type, do the following:
Open Settings.
Click on System.
Click on About.
See System type.
A pop-up window will appear with a direct download link, click it to download the .msu file.
How to install cumulative updates
While you can simply double-click the .msu file to install a new update for Windows 10, you may prefer to include options, such as to prevent the operating system from restarting to finish applying the update, which is something you can do using Command Prompt.
Use the Windows key + I keyboard shortcut to open the Power User menu and select Command Prompt (admin).
Note: We're adding the /quiet /norestart switches to prevent the operating system from restarting your computer after installing the update, but later on, you must manually reboot your device to finish applying the update.
Quick Tip: If the name of the update turns to be very long, simply begin typing 'Windows10.0-kb' and the hit the Tab key to autocomplete the name.
Wrapping things up
The Microsoft Update Catalog website works best using Internet Explorer, but recent changes that removes ActiveX requirement now allows users to access the site using Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Additionally, alongside cumulative updates, you can also download the latest updates for certain device drivers, and Surface updates.
It's worth pointing out that even though sometimes updates won't get through because of a problem on your computer, there will be other times when an update won't show up because it's not compatible with your system. If you install a patch that is not working correctly, you can always use our guide to uninstall a problematic update.
While we're focusing this guide on Windows 10, the same concept shown here works to download and install updates on previous versions of the operating system, including Windows 8.1 and Windows 7.
More Windows 10 resources
Windows 10 Updates Not Installing 1803
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Sometimes, some Windows Update fail to install, and just refuse to get installed on your computer even when you try a couple of times. If you face this problem where Windows Updates will not install, this tutorial will help you identify and troubleshoot the problem. Do create a system restore point first. You may then try any of these, in no particular order.
Windows Update Fail To Install
If Windows Update fail to install, is not working, updates will not download or keep failing, on your Windows 10/8/7 then these suggestions will help you troubleshoot & fix Windows Updates. Go through the entire post and then see which of these may apply to your system.
1. If you are unable to install Windows Updates, first clear up your Temporary Files and Internet Cache, reboot and try again. See if this helps resolve the issue. Best and easy to use the built-in Disk Cleanup utility or CCleaner.
2. Disable your Firewall and Anti-virus software and try again. Here is a list of Windows files and folders you may exclude from Antivirus scans.
3. As mentioned earlier, many times, an update may fail to install in the first instance, but for some inexplicable reason, succeeds in the 2nd or 3rd try. So try a couple of times.
Adobe Updates Not Installing Windows 10
4. Search on Microsoft, for the patch using the Update KB number, and download its stand-alone installer. Now apply the patch manually. Search for just the number; don’t include KB! Also, go here to see the Complete Master List of Windows Update Error Codes.
5. Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter from Microsoft. It resets Windows Updates settings to defaults.
6. Use our Fix WU tool and see if it helps. It re-registers all the dll, ocx and ax files required for the proper functioning of Windows Updates.
7. Fix corrupted Windows Update system files using DISM Tool or CheckSUR. Run System Update Readiness Tool. It can help fix problems that might prevent Windows Updates and Service Packs from installing.
8. Right-click Computer > Manage > Services > Stop the “Cryptographic Service” and rename the Catroot2 folder situated in C:WindowsSystem32Catroot to something else like say Catroot2X.
Reboot.
Now run the update or the installers again. This action will re-generate a new Catroot2 folder and the updates or hotfixes, should hopefully install.
9. If still, you have a problem then, go to C:WindowsWindowsUpdate.log and look for the most recent entry. This will be present towards the end of the log. Any failed updates will have error code/s written next to them. Note them down. If you find just too many entries too confusing delete this WindowsUpdate.log and try installing the problematic updates again.
Now open the newly re-created WindowsUpdate log file and have a look at its contents.
The warnings will probably appear as -: WARNING: Failed to find updates with error code XXXXXXXX.
Now Right-click Computer > Manage > Event Viewer > Applications and Service Logs > Microsoft > Windows > WindowsUpdateClient > Operational . Check out for any Critical Message or Warning.
Next, refer the Windows Update Error Codes. This will give you the direction in which you may have to look for the solution.
11. Flush the Software Distribution Folder. Run Command Prompt as administrator. In the CMD box that appears on the computer screen, enter the following strings of text, one at a time, and hit Enter.
Now browse to the C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution folder and delete all the files and folders inside.
If the files are in use, restart your device. After rebooting, run the commands above again. Your Windows Store App needs to be closed, by the way, so do not start it.
Now you will be able to delete the files from the mentioned Software Distribution folder. Now in the Command Prompt windows, type the following commands one at a time, and hit Enter:
Reboot. If you are using Windows Update, try using Microsoft Updates or vice versa.
12. Reset the Catroot folder and see. To reset the catroot2 folder do this:
Open an elevated Command Prompt, type the following command one after the other and hit Enter:
Next, delete all the contents of the catroot2 folder.
Having done this, in the CMD windows, type the following and hit Enter:
Your catroot folder will be reset, once you start Windows Update again.
13. Open an elevated command prompt windows, type the following and hit Enter:
This will rename pending.xml file to pending.old. Now try again.
14. Clear the BITS queue of any current jobs. To do this, type the following in an elevated CMD and hit Enter:
15. Delete incorrect Registry values.
Open Registry Editor and navigate to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINECOMPONENTS
Right-click COMPONENTS. Now in the right-pane, delete the following if they exist:
PendingXmlIdentifier
NextQueueEntryIndex
AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving
Restart your computer and try again.
16. Boot in Clean Boot State and run Windows Update and see if this helps. Ater deleting the contents of SoftwareDistribution folder, try it. It works in most cases.
17. Read this, if Windows Update is not working or the Windows Update page itself is blank. Add the mentioned few websites to the whitelist.
18. This will help you if Windows Update is stuck downloading updates.
19. See this if Windows Update Page Is Blank.
20. Go here if you get error Failure configuring Windows updates. Reverting changes.
21. Use the Reset Windows Update Components Tool and see if it helps you.
22. See this post if you receive Windows 10 Update Error Code 0x8024a105 while downloading updates.
23. See this post if Windows 10 Creators Update is not installing.
24. This post will help you if you receive Potential Windows Update Database error detected error message.
25. See this if you receive Windows Update error 0x80070643.
These links may also interest you:
There were some problems installing updates, but we’ll try again later.
Post ported from WinVistaClub.com, updated and posted here.
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