window update

Question

how to update my desktop its old old version and i cannot update it as it say update unavailable

Answer 1

Hi sachin,

I understand you're unable to update your PC and Windows Update is showing that updates are unavailable.

Have you already tried the Q&A Assist suggestions? In addition, could you please provide:

1. The exact Windows version shown when you press Windows + R, type "winver", and press Enter.
2. The exact message shown in Windows Update (a screenshot would be helpful).
3. Whether this PC has ever received updates successfully before.

In the meantime, if your Windows Update service may be disabled, please try this quick check:

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type "services.msc" and press Enter.
3. Find "Windows Update".
4. Make sure its "Startup type" is set to "Automatic" or "Manual (Trigger Start)", then click "Start" if the service is not running.

Note: If you are using Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1, these versions have reached End of Support. Since Windows (7, 8, 8.1) is EOS, you can still try workarounds, but security and feature updates are no longer provided.

Once you provide the Windows version and the exact error message, I can suggest more specific steps.

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Answer 2

When Windows reports that updates are unavailable on a very old version, it usually means that the version has reached end of service or the update components are too outdated or damaged to use normal Windows Update.

Use these steps in order:

1. Try Windows Update normally
   • Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
   • Select Check for updates and install anything offered.
   • If this still shows that updates are unavailable or fails, continue with the next steps.
2. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter
   • Select Start > Settings > Update & Security.
   • Select Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
   • Under Get up and running, select Windows Update > Run the troubleshooter and follow the on‑screen instructions.
3. Repair system files used by Windows Update
   • In the taskbar search box, type command prompt.
   • Right‑click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
   • Run these commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:

          DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
          sfc /scannow
     

   • Wait for both to complete, then restart the PC and try Windows Update again.
4. If the device is on Windows 10 and shows end‑of‑service or no security updates
   • Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select Check for updates.
   • Install all available updates.
   • If updates still do not appear or always fail, follow the guidance to troubleshoot update problems or reinstall Windows:
     • Use the steps in Troubleshoot problems updating Windows to resolve common issues like driver problems or low disk space.
     • If issues persist, reinstall Windows 10 using the instructions under Reinstall Windows to return the PC to a cleaner state and then update again.
5. If the PC is too old to support current Windows versions
   • Some older devices cannot support the latest Windows versions, which can leave them without security updates.
   • In that case, consider moving to a newer Windows 11 PC that can receive current updates and features.

If none of these steps allow updates and the hardware is very old, backing up important files and performing a clean installation of a supported Windows version (if the hardware meets requirements) or moving to a newer PC are the reliable long‑term options.

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References:

• Windows 10 notification: "You're not receiving security updates"
• Windows 10 notification: “Your device has reached the end of service”
• Troubleshoot problems updating Windows
• Fix issues by reinstalling the current version of Windows