Problems with windows update: what you can do

If an update for Windows 10 doesn’t work, it can be due to several reasons. We show what could be causing the error and how you can fix Windows 10 in case of emergency.

Windows 10: How to install updates?

Windows 10 should automatically check for updates and install them. You will then be prompted to restart the computer.

Windows 10: How to check for updates manually

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Otherwise, you can also start Windows updates manually. This is useful if Microsoft is planning a feature update. Such updates appear twice a year and usually add new features to Windows 10. They usually have to be triggered by themselves in the early stages before Microsoft distributes them to all users.

Screenshot: With the command "winver" check which version of Windows is installed on your computer. (Source: t-online)

How to determine your Windows versionIf you are not sure whether you are already running the latest version of Windows 10, you can check the version number with a simple command in the search bar: type "winver" and press the Enter key. A window with the most important system information appears (see screenshot). More here .

To manually start updates, open the settings, select "Update and security" and click on "Check for updates." You can find step-by-step instructions in pictures here.

Why does the update not work?

There can be many reasons for this. For example your system has too little memory, your hardware is not suitable for the update or your clock is set incorrectly. Microsoft itself lists several possibilities on its website that could be responsible for a problem. Click here to go to the list .

If you get an error code, you should copy it into a search engine of your choice. On its website, Microsoft also lists many error codes about Windows updates. Click here to go to the list .

Common problems are also that the Windows update hangs. Microsoft advises in such cases, for example, to check for updates again or to start the Windows 10 troubleshooter. Here’s how it works:

1. Open with a click on "Start at the bottom left and then click on the gear icon the"Settings".
2. Select here"Update and security"
3. Then"Troubleshooting" and "Further troubleshooting".
4. Afterwards select under Startup "Windows Update" and then "Run troubleshooter" From.

Often it can also help to restart the computer. This does not only apply to problems with Windows updates.

Use tools from Microsoft

Alternatively, you can also use various tools from Microsoft. The "Windows Update Troubleshooter can also be found here as a file. Click here to download the program. Double click on the data to run it and follow the instructions on the screen. You may need to run the file as an administrator. To do this, right-click on the file and select"Run as administrator".

You can also use the update wizard for Windows 10. This one updates Windows 10 to the latest version. You can find the tool here on Microsoft’s website . Click on "Update now and follow the instructions on the screen.

Faulty system files can also be a reason for update problems. Windows offers a check program for this, which repairs faulty files by itself. To start the program, proceed as follows:

1. Start the command prompt with elevated privileges. To do this, type in the Windows search box "cmd" (without quotation marks). Then right-click on the result and select "Run as administrator".
2. Type "sfc /scannow" (note the spaces) and press the Enter key. Wait until the process is complete.

Uninstall Windows updates

Again and again there are news that Windows updates cause problems for users – especially after the so-called Patchday. In bad cases, Microsoft delivers another update that should fix the problem. Otherwise, users can also uninstall individual updates themselves. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press the Windows key and type "Update history" A. Now click on "Show update history".
2. Click "Uninstall updates".
3. This action opens the window "Uninstall updates". Here you may also see updates from other programs (for example, Adobe Acrobat Reader). Now select the update you want to uninstall and click on the button at the top "Uninstall".

How to repair Windows 10?

If after a Windows update the system no longer starts, you can use the repair function of Windows 10. To access these features, Microsoft advises to restart the device several times by pressing the power button. To get to the blue screen of the UEFI. Otherwise, you can also hold down the Shift key in Windows 10 and click on "Restart" in Windows press to enter the repair mode. You can find all the info here .

• Fixing problems:What to do if Windows 10 does not start anymore?
• Problems with Windows 10?:PC check program fixes errors itself
• checklist:Five things you should do after every Windows update

Here you will find several options. Under"Troubleshoot" and then"Advanced options" there is the option"Restore system". Follow the on-screen instructions here.