Windows Update Question

Question

I am teaching a class on Windows update. And I cannot find a consistent answer to the following question:

Dows Windows 11 Home automatically download and apply ALL Updates or just certain ones?

If just certain ones, which ones?

Thank You for your help

Peter

Answer 1

The reason why you can't find a consistent answer is because ... well, there isn't one.

Microsoft has became sophisticated about applying updates to computers, because of the telemetry it collects from PCs. This enables Microsoft to tailor the updates it offers - or doesn't offer - to the needs of the individual computer, with two goals in mind:

1- reducing the size of updates by delivering only those portions of an update that a computer needs; and

2- reducing problems that could result from installing portions of an update - or an entire update - on an unsupported configuration.

But there's more.

Microsoft also has the ability to rollout individual features included in an update to tranches of computers over time. So you and I may have received the same update, according to the Settings app, but I have features that you don't. This is done for testing. Microsoft is looking to see how well (or how poorly!) a feature is performing, so they can make changes in real time.

Then, of course, different regions of the world may get different versions of the same update that are tailored to the type of hardware, especially internet hardware, that are available in the region. And I imagine that Microsoft needs to take into account cultural differences as well.

For all these reasons, the updates a computer receives are not all the same.

Answer 2

Hello

To sum it up:

Automatic by default: security and cumulative quality updates (plus many drivers).

Not automatic unless chosen: “Optional updates” (preview fixes, optional drivers).

Feature updates: offered when the device is eligible, rolled out gradually, not immediately to everyone.