How to manually download and install Windows 10 cumulative updates

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.

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.

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:

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:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. 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).

Type the following command and press Enter:

wusa C:\PATH-TO-UPDATE\NAME-OF-UPDATE.msu /quiet /norestart

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

For more help articles, coverage, and answers on Windows 10, you can visit the following resources:

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How to Update Windows 10

By Phillip Tracy 12 April 2021

Keep your Windows 10 laptop updated with our step-by-step guide.

Updating the software on your laptop is an easy and effective way to make sure your system runs smoothly. When you update Windows 10, your PC will have the latest features, bug fixes, and (most important) security patches.

Fortunately, Windows will periodically check for the latest system updates and install them automatically. All you need to do is restart your computer to ensure the updates finish installing (to pause updates for up to 35 days, check out this guide). As convenient as automatic updates are, there are times when you’ll want to manually check for updates, like when an important security patch is rolling out or if you’ve encountered a major bug.

If you’re currently running Windows 7, then read our guide to prepare for when the operating system reaches its end of life phase. Once your laptop is updated, check out our Windows 10 guide for both beginners and power users.

Here are a few simple steps to manually check for Windows 10 updates.

How to Manually Update Windows 10

1. Select the Start (Windows) button from the bottom-left corner.

2. Go to settings (gear icon).

3. Select the Update & Security icon

4. Choose the Windows Update tab in the left sidebar (circular arrows)

5. Click the Check for updates button. If there is an available update, it will begin downloading automatically.

If you don’t see an update, don’t worry; this page will tell you if your hardware is currently incompatible.

To finish the update, you’ll need to restart Windows, but you do this later if there’s no urgency. Doing so is pretty straightforward — just follow these simple instructions. (Note, your system will not be equipped with the latest updates until it’s been restarted.)

How to Schedule a Windows 10 Update

1. From the Windows Update settings page (Step 4 from above), select «Schedule the restart» found next to «Restart now.»

2. You will then be taken to a scheduling page. From there, move the Schedule a Time slider to the right (the «on» position).

3. The grayed-out «Pick a time» and «Pick a day» options will then be available to select. Use the time ticker and the date drop-down to choose when to restart your laptop.

How to get the Windows 10 October 2020 Update

With organizations moving and adapting from remote to hybrid work scenarios, and essential workers continuing to support us all, it is more important than ever that we continue to provide you with the tools you need to remain protected and productive. In June, we announced Windows 10, version 20H2—and the availability of the first preview build in the Windows Insider Program. We then released a preview build to commercial customers in the Beta and Release Preview Channels for pre-release validation in August. We have continued to make improvements based on the feedback received through these programs and I am pleased to announce that we are beginning the availability of the October 2020 Update. Today’s post offers details on our measured and phased roll out approach, how you can get the update, and information to enable commercial organizations to begin targeted deployments.

Approach on update availability and rollout

In this work, learn and connect from home environment where people are relying on their PCs more than ever before, we are taking a measured seeker-based rollout approach to the October 2020 Update. We are throttling availability over the coming weeks to ensure a reliable download experience, so the update may not be offered to you right away. Additionally, some devices might have a compatibility issue for which a safeguard hold is in place, so we will not offer the update until we are confident that you will have a good update experience.

How to get the Windows 10 October 2020 Update

Beginning today, the October 2020 Update is available initially for users of select devices running Windows 10, version 1903 or later who are interested in experiencing the latest feature updates and are ready to install this release on their device. If you would like to install the new release, open your Windows Update settings (Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update) and select Check for updates. If the update appears, and you are running Windows 10, version 1903 or later, you can simply select Download and install to get started. Once the download is complete and the update is ready to install, we’ll notify you so that you can pick the right time to finish the installation and reboot your device, ensuring that the update does not disrupt your activities. People running the May 2020 Update will have a faster overall update experience because the update will install like a monthly update, just as it was for devices moving to Windows 10, version 1909 from version 1903.

For more information on how to get the October 2020 Update, watch this video. To learn more about the status of the update availability and rollout, safeguard holds, and which holds may be applied to your device, visit the Windows release health dashboard.

Information for commercial customers

As a second half (H2) of the calendar year release, Enterprise and Education editions of Windows 10, version 20H2 will receive 30 months of servicing and support beginning today. We recommend that commercial organizations begin targeted deployments to validate that their apps, devices and infrastructure work as expected with the new release and innovations therein. To support this effort, Windows 10, version 20H2 is now available through Windows Server Update Services (including Configuration Manager), Windows Update for Business and the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) 1 . For more information about deployment options and the latest features for commercial customers, see ‘What’s new for IT pros in Windows 10, version 20H2.’ If you are curious about Windows Server, version 20H2, which was also released today, please refer to Windows Server documentation.

The tools you need to do more and stay secure

Our commitment remains on helping you remain protected and productive, both professionally and personally. The Windows 10 October 2020 Update offers an improved experience for tablet users and those seeking to personalize their taskbars, notifications and other settings. It is also the first Windows 10 release to include the new Microsoft Edge, built on Chromium, enabling you to create profiles for work, life and everything in between so that you can easily sync and switch profiles across devices. For a full recap of these and other improvements, see What’s new in the Windows 10 October 2020 Update.

As with each release, we will closely monitor the October 2020 Update experience and share timely information on the current rollout status and known issues (open and resolved) across both feature and monthly updates via the Windows release health dashboard and @WindowsUpdate. Please continue to tell us about your experience by providing comments or suggestions via Feedback Hub.

1 It may take a day for downloads to be fully available in the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) across all products, markets and languages.