How to Check and Install Microsoft Updates on Windows 11 and Office | November 13, 2026

Verified November 13, 2026, at 01:13 UTC (Australian Eastern Daylight Time, AEDT, UTC+11:00: November 13 at 12:13 p.m.).

To check for Microsoft updates on a Windows 11 PC, open Start > Settings > Windows Update, choose Check for updates, and select Download & install or Install now for updates offered to your device. Save your work and restart if prompted. Windows updates are different from updates for Microsoft 365 desktop apps and Microsoft Store apps, so checking all three locations is the most reliable way to keep your computer current. Microsoft’s Windows installation instructions confirm the main Windows Update steps.

Destaques

• Windows 11: Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates, then install what is offered and restart if required.
• Microsoft 365 or Office: open Word or Excel and select File > Account > Update Options > Update Now.
• Microsoft Store apps: open the Store, check Downloads or Library for available app updates, and keep automatic app updates enabled if appropriate.
• Windows 10 reached its regular end of support on October 14, 2025; eligible users should review Windows 11 migration or Extended Security Updates rather than assume normal security coverage continues.

How do you check for updates in Windows 11?

1. Connect your computer to the internet and save any open files.
2. Open Start, then Settings. You can also press Windows + I.
3. Select Windows Update in the Settings navigation.
4. Choose Check for updates. Wait while Windows searches for updates available to your particular device.
5. If an update appears, choose Download & install or the equivalent installation button. Some security updates may download automatically.
6. When Windows asks, select Restart now, or schedule a restart at a convenient time. Keep the device powered on until installation is complete.
7. Return to Windows Update after restarting and check again if you want to confirm that nothing else is pending.

A message that your device is up to date means Windows is not currently offering additional applicable updates through that screen; it does not prove that every separate desktop application is current. Update availability can also depend on hardware, Windows edition, organizational policies, and a staged rollout. Microsoft documents both installation and restart behavior in its Windows Update FAQ.

How do you check for updates in Windows 10?

On Windows 10, the traditional path is Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates. Install available updates and restart when necessary. However, Windows 10 Home and Pro reached the end of their regular support period on October 14, 2025. A successful check for updates does not mean an unenrolled Windows 10 computer continues receiving the same standard security protections as a supported Windows 11 PC.

If your computer remains on Windows 10, review its eligibility for Windows 11 using Microsoft’s PC Health Check tool and consider the applicable Extended Security Updates (ESU) arrangements. Eligibility, enrollment steps, duration, and costs differ between consumer and organizational programs. The Microsoft Windows 10 lifecycle announcement and ESU documentation explain the distinction. Do not download purported update installers from unsolicited emails or third-party pop-up ads.

How do you install Microsoft 365 and Office updates?

Updates for the desktop editions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft 365 or Office applications may use a separate update mechanism. Open Word or Excel and create or open a document. Select File > Account (or Office Account in some versions), then under Product Information choose Update Options > Update Now. If Update Now is not visible, you may need to select Enable Updates first. Follow the prompts and close Office apps when requested.

If the Update Options button is missing, your company, school, or licensing arrangement may manage updates centrally. Avoid trying to bypass administrative controls. Contact the IT team if you are using a managed device. For the full procedure, consult Microsoft’s official Office update guide. Updating Windows alone does not guarantee that an Office installation has received every available application update.

How do you update apps from Microsoft Store?

Open Microsoft Store from Start. Visit Downloads or Library to check for and install available updates; the precise label may depend on your Store version. Microsoft Store generally updates eligible apps and games automatically, and you can check the app update controls under your profile picture and Store Settings. Some publishers deliver their own application updates outside the Store. See Microsoft’s Store app-update guidance.

How can you tell whether an update installed successfully?

In Windows 11, go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history to review installed quality updates, feature updates, drivers, and other entries. Note an update’s installation status and knowledge-base (KB) number if you are investigating a specific problem. Windows 10 has a similar View update history link in its Windows Update settings. For Office, return to File > Account and run Update Now again; Office may display a message indicating it is current.

A restart is often part of completing the process. If a restart is pending, avoid treating a downloaded update as fully installed. Before making disruptive changes, save a backup of important files and make sure a laptop has sufficient battery or is connected to power.

What should you do if Windows Update gets stuck or fails?

Start with the least disruptive checks: verify your internet connection, check available storage, connect the charger, and restart once. Then run Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run on supported Windows 11 interfaces, or search for the Windows Update troubleshooter in the Get Help app. After following the suggested steps, return to Windows Update and check again. Microsoft’s update troubleshooting guide and Get Help troubleshooting instructions provide the supported options.

Record the exact error code if an installation fails repeatedly. An error might indicate insufficient storage, an interrupted download, a blocked process, or another device-specific problem; the code matters more than a generic “update failed” message. Avoid deleting system folders, installing unknown repair utilities, or disabling security software as a first step. On work or school computers, ask IT before changing update policies. If an update causes a major new issue, first review Microsoft’s documentation; removing security updates can reintroduce risks, and not every update is removable.

Should you install optional updates and previews?

Prioritize the regular security and quality updates that Windows offers. Optional non-security previews are not automatically necessary for every user, particularly if a computer is stable. Optional drivers can be useful when diagnosing a device problem, but hardware manufacturers or workplace administrators may recommend a specific version. Read the update description and consider whether the fix is relevant before opting in.

The setting that offers newer updates as soon as they are available can affect how quickly eligible devices receive some non-security improvements; it does not guarantee every new feature will appear immediately. Use active hours or restart scheduling to reduce the chance of an interruption during classes, meetings, or work. Microsoft’s documentation explains Windows update types and restart options.

What matters most for users in Australia?

The menu steps are broadly the same on Australian Windows installations, even though dates of release announcements may originate in US time zones. A release posted on one calendar day in the United States can appear on the following day in Australia; use the date and time shown by the official announcement rather than assuming the day is identical everywhere. Update rollout, data usage, and restart timing also depend on the individual device and connection. If you use mobile broadband or a limited-data plan, check your network settings and the size of a download before beginning.

This guide is based on Microsoft’s verified support instructions rather than a claim about a particular November 2026 patch. No specific new KB number or emergency update is being asserted here. For ongoing protection, periodically check Windows Update, update Office and Store apps through their own channels, and review whether the installed version of Windows is still supported.

FAQ

What is the quickest way to check for Microsoft updates?

On Windows 11, open Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates. Download any applicable updates and restart if prompted.

Does Windows Update also update Microsoft Word and Excel?

Not always. To check Office directly, open Word or Excel and choose File > Account > Update Options > Update Now.

Can I still update Windows 10 in 2026?

Windows 10’s regular support ended October 14, 2025. Some devices can receive eligible Extended Security Updates if enrolled; otherwise, consider a supported Windows 11 installation or replacement hardware.