Troubleshooting Missing Windows Updates on Windows 11 PC
Key Notes
- Windows updates may be paused for up to 5 weeks.
- Hardware compatibility is crucial for receiving updates.
- Your organization’s IT policies can restrict update access.
Troubleshooting Missing Windows Updates: A Comprehensive Guide
Many Windows users experience frustration when they don’t receive the latest updates. This guide explores different reasons behind missing Windows updates on Windows 11/10 PCs and provides actionable steps to fix them.
Understanding Why Your Latest Windows Updates May Be Missing
Step 1: Check If Updates Are Paused
Windows allows users to pause updates for a maximum of 5 weeks. Check this setting by navigating to Windows Settings > Windows Update. If an option labeled “Resume updates” is available, click it and allow some time for Windows to find any applicable updates.
Pro Tip: Regularly review your update settings to ensure updates are running as intended.
Step 2: Verify Your Hardware Compatibility
Ensure your hardware meets the minimum requirements for Windows updates. Existing unsupported devices may not receive updates automatically and could require manual installation methods if they were initially permitted to bypass certain requirements.
Step 3: Consider Regional Rollout Delays
Understand that Microsoft adopts a phased rollout strategy influenced by geography and device specifications. This process is implemented to gauge performance issues before a wider release. Users in regions facing issues may need to wait longer for updates.
Step 4: Assess Your Internet Connection
If you’re using a metered internet connection, Windows might restrict updates to conserve bandwidth. Check this by going to Windows Settings > Network & Internet. Disable metered connection settings if they are enabled.
- Open Windows Settings ( Win + I ).
- Navigate to Network & Internet > Select your Ethernet or Wi-Fi adapter.
- Find the Metered connection settings and toggle it off.
Step 5: Review Update Channel Settings
Check if your device is limited to specific update channels. Options like Insider Preview may introduce variations in update timelines. Switch to standard release channels if necessary.
Step 6: Undo Any Manual Changes
If you’ve made changes through the Windows registry or group policy settings, consider reversing these adjustments. This could help restore your access to Windows updates.
Summary
Understanding the reasons behind missing Windows updates is crucial for effective troubleshooting. By checking settings, understanding the impact of hardware and network conditions, and reversing unwanted changes, users can ensure that their systems remain up to date.
Conclusion
Staying updated with the latest Windows updates is vital for security, functionality, and performance. By applying the insights shared above, users can swiftly identify and resolve issues preventing their device from receiving updates. Make it a point to regularly monitor update settings and your device’s overall compatibility.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What to do if updates are still missing after following these steps?
If updates remain elusive, consider contacting Microsoft Support or visiting the official forums for further assistance.
Are there any specific tools to manage Windows updates?
Yes, Windows has built-in tools like the Update Troubleshooter that can diagnose and resolve various update issues automatically.
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- Fix for Windows 11 KBYou’re not alone if you have issues with the Windows 11 KB5034765. February 2024 security update for Windows 11 causes File Explorer to crash when rebooting the system, and some have found it’s causing the taskbar to disappear. Additionally, many users are having problems installing the Windows 11 February 2024 update.Windows Updates are designed to automatically install without affecting productivity, but that doesn’t appear to be the case with the February 2024 update. In our tests, we observed that the Windows 11 KB5034765 update repeatedly fails to install with 0x800f0922, 0x800f0982, and 0x80070002.Multiple users told me that when they tried to install the security patch, everything seemed fine at first. The update downloads and asks for a restart. But during the installation, Windows Update stopped and confirmed there was a problem. It tries a few more times and then goes back to the desktop without updating.KB5034765 is not installing, but there’s a fixWindows 11 January 2024 Update fails with 0x80070002 | Image Courtesy: WindowsLatest.comOur device also attempted the “rollback” after successfully downloading the February 2024 cumulative update, but the process was stuck on the following screen for ten minutes: Something didn’t go as planned. No need to worry—undoing changes. Please keep your computer on. I tried tried a few things to fix it. For example, I removed programs that didn’t come with Windows, cleared the Windows Update cache and used the Windows Update troubleshooter. None of these solutions have worked.However, there’s some good news. It looks like we can successfully install KB5034765 by deleting a hidden folder named $WinREAgent. There are multiple ways to locate and delete this folder from Windows 11 installation, and you choose your preferred one: Method 1: Run Disk Cleanup as an administrator, select the system drive, and check the boxes for “Temporary files” and other relevant options. Finally, click “OK” to remove the system files, including Windows Update files. This will delete unnecessary files within $WinREAgent. Method 2: Open File Explorer and open the system drive, but make sure you’ve turned on view hidden items from folder settings. Locate $WinREAgent and remove it from the system. Method 3: Open Command Prompt as Administrator, and run the following command: rmdir /S /Q C:\$WinREAgent Windows Update causes File Explorer to crash on rebootSome PC owners are also running into another problem that causes the File Explorer to crash when rebooting or shutting down the system.This issue was previously observed in Windows 11’s January 2024 optional update, and it seems to have slipped into the mandatory security patch.The error message indicates an application error with explorer.exe, mentioning a specific memory address and stating, “The memory could not be written” .“The instruction at 0x00007FFB20563ACa referenced memory at 0x0000000000000024. The memory could not be written. Click on OK to terminate the program,” the error message titled “explorer.exe – Application Error” reads.explorer.exe crashes with a referenced memory error when rebootingThis issue seems to persist regardless of various troubleshooting efforts. Users have tried numerous fixes, including running the System File Checker tool (sfc /scannow), testing their RAM with Windows’ built-in tool and memtest86+, and even performing a clean installation of the latest Windows 11 version.Despite these efforts, the error remains.Interestingly, a common factor among affected users is the presence of a controller accessory, such as an Xbox 360 controller for Windows, connected to the PC. This connection has been observed, but it’s unclear if it directly contributes to the problem.Microsoft’s release notes for the KB5034765 update mentioned a fix for an issue where explorer.exe could stop responding when a PC with a controller accessory attached is restarted or shut down.However, despite this so-called official fix, users are reporting that the problem still occurs.Source&Images
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Alex Ruben
My goal is to make complex technical topics simple and accessible. On this site, I gather unique and useful content that not only solves users problems but also helps them better understand the capabilities of Windows.