how can i install the new windows update on my arm windows?

Question

how can i install the new windows update on my arm windows?

Answer 1

For Arm64 Windows, there are two supported ways shown:

1. Use Windows Update
   • For the Arm64 hotpatch updates in the context, the update downloads and installs automatically from Windows Update.
2. Install manually from Microsoft Update Catalog
   • Download the Arm64 MSU package for the specific KB.
   • Then install it in one of these ways:
     • DISM on the running PC from an elevated Command Prompt: DISM /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:c:\packages\Windows11.0-KB5079473-arm64.msu
     • PowerShell from an elevated prompt: Add-WindowsPackage -Online -PackagePath "c:\packages\Windows11.0-KB5079473-arm64.msu"
     • Windows Update Standalone Installer.

If updating a mounted image instead of the running PC, use:

• DISM /Image:mountdir /Add-Package /PackagePath:Windows11.0-KB5079473-arm64.msu
• Add-WindowsPackage -Path "c:\offline" -PackagePath "Windows11.0-KB5079473-arm64.msu" -PreventPending

If the update contains multiple MSU files, install them in the required order, or place them in the same folder and let DISM discover prerequisites.

For Arm64 hotpatch updates, the device must be hotpatch-ready. The context states this includes:

• Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 or 24H2 with the current baseline update installed
• Microsoft Intune with a Hotpatch-enabled Windows quality update policy
• VBS enabled
• CHPE disabled

To make an Arm64 device hotpatch-ready, the context shows two methods. Warning: changing policy or the registry affects device configuration and requires a restart.

• Set CSP policy: ./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/Hotpatch/DisableCHPE = 1
• Or set registry value: HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\HotPatchRestrictions = 1

Then in Microsoft Intune admin center:

• Go to Devices > Windows updates > Quality updates
• Create or edit a Windows quality update policy
• Set When available, apply without restarting the device to Allow
• Assign the policy to the Arm64 device group

Also noted in the context: some latest cumulative updates include AI component updates, but those AI components apply only to Windows Copilot+ PCs and do not install on Windows PC or Windows Server.

---

• March 10, 2026—KB5079473 (OS Builds 26200.8037 and 26100.8037)
• December 9, 2025—Hotpatch KB5072014 (OS Builds 26200.7392 and 26100.7392)
• January 24, 2026—Hotpatch KB5078167 (OS Builds 26200.7634 and 26100.7634) Out-of-band
• February 24, 2026—KB5077241 (OS Builds 26200.7922 and 26100.7922) Preview

Answer 2

Hi Michael,

Good day. Have you tried the Windows Update and manual download of the ARM64 method still didnt work? If yes here are some other methods i can share.

A. Windows installation Assist.

This is different from manually installing the KB update. The Installation Assistant can perform an in-place upgrade of Windows, which can also bring your system up to the latest supported build.

Go to Microsoft's official Windows 11 download page and look for Windows 11 Installation Assistant: https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11?

But before you proceed:

1. Make sure the PC is plugged into power.
2. Back up anything important.
3. Check Settings > System > About and confirm it says ARM64-based processor.
4. Don't use an x64 ISO or x64 installation media.

B. Try to repair Windows update instead of repeated checking for updates.

1. Open Terminal / Command Prompt as Administrator and run: net stop wuauserv net stop bits net stop cryptsvc
2. Then rename the update cache folders: ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
3. Start the services again: net start cryptsvc net start bits net start wuauserv
4. Restart the computer and try Windows Update again. This is particularly useful if Windows keeps saying "You're up to date" even though you know a newer build is available, or if the download repeatedly fails.

C. Try the Windows built-in Repair installation. f your Windows installation itself is having trouble updating, you can repair the existing installation without wiping your applications and files.

1. On newer Windows 11 versions, go to: Settings > System > Recovery.
2. Look for: "Fix problems using Windows Update" and select Reinstall now. Windows will dowload a fresh copy of the current Windows installation files and will use them to repair the operating system. After it, check Windows Update again.

D. If nothing works, try to check your system architecture

1. Go to Settings > System > About > System type.
2. You should see something similar to: "ARM64-based processor".
3. If that is what you have dont force an x64 ISO into the machine.

A feature update can be installed using Windows 11 installation media or an inplace upgrade. The ARM64 installation needs to match your architecture.

E. Rather than immediately downloading another KB file, I'd go in this order:

Windows Update > Windows Update repair/reinstall > Installation Assistant/in-place upgrade > manual KB installation

That avoids the common situation where someone keeps trying different .msu files when the actual problem is a damaged Windows Update component.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Jhun