The Windows Update allows users to keep Windows OS up to date with the latest security patches, new features, and bug fixes from Microsoft. You can access Windows Update from the Settings app on your PC. You can also run Windows Update from CMD.
Windows Update runs automatically in the background and installs new updates when they are available. However, you can also manually check for updates at any time. This will help you get the latest features and improvements faster.
By checking regularly for new Windows updates, you can ensure your PC is running smoothly and securely, ensuring you are safe from viruses, malware, and other threats.
In this guide, you will learn how to run Windows Update from Command Prompt and PowerShell using different commands.
Table of Contents
Force Windows Update from CMD
Check for updates on all Windows versions
If you want to run Windows Update from Command Prompt, you can use the wuauclt.exe utility. This utility allows you to check for updates, download updates, and install updates from the command line. The only limitation of running Windows Update through the CMD is that it won’t show any progress. Only results are shown when the process is complete. Here is how to run Windows Update from CMD:
-
Open Command Prompt with administrative privileges
-
Run wuauclt /detectnow to check for new updates and download them
wuauclt /detectnow
-
Run wuauclt /updatenow to install updates
wuauclt /updatenow
-
(Optional) Run wuauclt /reportnow to report back to WSUS server (if available)
wuauclt.exe /reportnow
You can also use multiple switches in the same command:
wuauclt /detectnow /updatenow
If you want to disregard the already detected updates and force Windows Update to check for updates again immediately, you may run the following command:
wuauclt /resetauthorization /detectnow
Since the command prompt does not show any progress, a better approach would be to check and install updates simultaneously. Here’s the command for this:
wuauclt /detectnow /updatenow
Check for Windows updates in Windows 11, 10
The above-mentioned command will work in all versions of Windows, including Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. But if you are using Windows 11, Windows 10 or Windows Server 2016, you can use the “UsoClient” command, which has more options than “wuauclt.” You can run UsoClient with the following switches:
-
Start checking for new updates
UsoClient /StartScan
-
Start downloading updates
UsoClient /StartDownload
-
Start installing updates
UsoClient /StartInstall
Force Windows Update Check using Run Command Box
I found out that the easiest way to force a Windows update check is to use a command in the Run dialog box. There are other commands from CMD and PowerShell as well, but let’s start with the easiest way to do it.
-
Open the Run Command box (Windows key + R).
-
Run the following command:
control update
Check Windows update from the Run Command box
This will trigger the Windows Update graphical user interface which will start checking for new updates. This method works on all versions of Windows including Windows 10 and Windows 11.
There is another command that will trigger the same effect but only works in Windows 10 and 11:
ms-settings:windowsupdate
Run Windows Update from PowerShell
There is no official Windows Update module for PowerShell. However, you can use “PSWindowsUpdate.” PSWindowsUpdate is a third-party module that can be used to configure Windows updates in Windows.
This module is not installed in Windows by default but you can download it from the PowerShell gallery and install and run the module to check for new updates.
Here are the three steps to run Windows Update through PowerShell:
-
Run the following command to install PSWindowsUpdate:
Install-Module PSWindowsUpdate
Install PSWindowsUpdate module -
Check for available updates by running this cmdlet:
Get-WindowsUpdate
Check for available Windows updates -
Now install these updates using this cmdlet:
Install-WindowsUpdate
Install available Windows updates
The above-mentioned commands will only install Windows updates. If you want to update other Microsoft products, you’ll also need to enable the Microsoft Update Service. It’s pretty easy to enable it using PowerShell:
Add-WUServiceManager -MicrosoftUpdate
If you want to automatically restart your computer after installing all the updates, you can run the following command instead:
Install-WindowsUpdate -MicrosoftUpdate -AcceptAll -AutoReboot
If you don’t want to install a separate module, you can run the following command to force start Windows Update using PowerShell:
Start-Process -FilePath 'ms-settings:windowsupdate'
Deploy Updates on Remote Computers
The PSWindowsUpdate PowerShell module can also be used to deploy Windows updates on remote computers. There are two commands involved in this process:
-
Create a list of computers and pass the list as a variable string using the computer names:
$computer = "comp1, comp2, comp3"
You can add more computers to the string separated by commas. Replace “compX” with the name of each computer.
-
Run the following command to start checking for Windows updates on remote computers:
Invoke-WUJob -ComputerName $computer -Script {ipmo PSWindowsUpdate; Install-WindowsUpdate -MicrosoftUpdate -AcceptAll -AutoReboot} -RunNow -Confirm:$false | Out-File "\server\share\logs\$computer-$(Get-Date -f yyyy-MM-dd)-MSUpdates.log" -Force
Install Specific Updates Only
If you already know the article KB no. of the specific update you want to install, you can run the following command to install that particular update(s) only:
Get-WindowsUpdate - KBArticleID "KB5002324", "KB5002325" -Install
Replace the KB number with the one you want to install.
Prevent Specific Windows Updates from Installing
You can prevent specific updates from installing on your computer by replacing the KB numbers in the following command in PowerShell:
Install-WindowsUpdate -NotKBArticle "KB5002324, KB5002325" -AcceptAll
Check for Windows Updates using Windows Settings
To check for new updates and configure your Windows Update settings, follow the steps below:
-
Navigate to:
-
In Windows 11:
Settings app >> Windows Update
-
In Windows 10:
Settings app >> Update & Security >> Windows Update
-
-
Click “Check for updates.”
Check for pending updates
Force Windows Update to Download Already Downloaded Updates
There will be times when the updates become corrupted or for other reasons, you just don’t want to install the downloaded updates. In that situation, you can easily delete the already-downloaded updates, which will force Windows Update to run again and check for and download the updates again.
The only caveat in this situation is that the update must not have been installed on your computer. If the update is already installed, Windows will detect it as installed and will not download it again. In that case, you will need to uninstall the update first and then force Windows Update to run again.
If you want to force Windows Update to re-download all the updates again, you can do this using the steps below.
-
Navigate to the following directory using File Explorer:
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
This folder contains all the Windows update files that Windows OS is currently downloading or recently downloaded and installed.
-
Select and delete all the files from the “Download” folder.
Delete all files in the “Download” folder -
Run Windows Update again using the above-mentioned methods.
This will force Windows Update to check for the same updates and download them again. The download and install process for new updates is completely automated. You don’t need to do anything during the download and installation process.
Manage Windows Updates using Wuinstall
Using WuInstall, IT Administrators can automate Windows updates. Wuinstall can be used to enforce Windows Updates inquiries, downloads, and installations at times when they deem them appropriate, enabling them to make the entire update process more controlled and user-friendly.
WuInstall is a strong and flexible system management tool that can be used in a WSUS-based or standalone environment. To download the latest updates using Wuinstall, you will need to download and install Wuinstall first. Follow the steps below:
-
Go to http://www.wuinstall.com/ and install the latest free version of Wuinstall on your computer.
-
Open an elevated Command Prompt.
-
Run the following cmdlet to search for the latest available Windows updates:
wuinstall /search
This will not only look for new updates but will also list them in the command window.
-
To download the updates, run the following command:
wuinstall /download
This will download all the available updates from Microsoft servers.
-
To install the updates, run the following command:
wuinstall /install
There are a few more switches that you can use with the install command:
- /quiet – will install updates without showing anything.
- /disableprompt – Disable any input from Windows.
- /autoaccepteula – Auto-accept any agreement during the update installation.
- /rebootcycle – Install updates on the next computer reboot.
Fix Corrupted Windows Updates
Sometimes Windows Update files get corrupted and the user is not able to download the files again or install the corrupted update files. In that case, we need to run a DISM command to fix the corrupted Windows Update. Here are the steps:
-
Launch the Command Prompt.
-
Run the following cmdlet:
dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
After successfully running this command, try force downloading the updates again, and the Windows Update should start working again.
Hopefully, this will be useful in situations where you want to automate certain Windows functions. What other purposes do you want to use command line options to run Windows Update?
Run Windows Update FAQs
What is Windows Update?
Windows Update is a free Microsoft service that provides bug
fixes, security patches, and performance enhancements for Microsoft Windows operating systems. By installing these updates, users can ensure they have the latest features and security available for their operating system.
Can I use the command line to run Windows Update?
Yes, you can use Windows’ command line to run Windows Update.
What is the benefit of running Windows Update from the command line?
Running Windows Update from the command line offers flexibility,
automation, and convenience. For example, by using the command line, you can schedule updates to occur at a specific time or be triggered by an event, and even control which updates are installed.
How can I run Windows Update from the command line in Windows 10?
Follow the steps below to force Windows update with the command line:
Type cmd in the search box, choose Run as administrator, and click Yes to continue.
Type wuauclt.exe /updatenow and hit Enter.
This command will force Windows Update to check for updates and start downloading.
What is the command to run Windows Update from PowerShell?
To run Windows Update via PowerShell, enter the following command:
Start-Process -FilePath ‘ms-settings:windowsupdate’
What is “usoclient.exe” and how does it relate to Windows Update?
“Usoclient.exe” is a built-in command line tool for Windows Update that can be used to scan for updates, start updates, and even uninstall updates. It provides an alternative to Windows Update’s graphical user interface. This tool can be especially useful for IT administrators who need to run Windows Update simultaneously on multiple machines. It can be run from the command line and provides options for updating in managed environments. It also allows for more detailed control over the update process, such as setting which updates to install or uninstall.
Can Windows Update be automated using the command line?
Yes, Windows Update can be automated using the command line. This can be done by creating scripts that automatically execute Windows Update commands.
It’s always recommended to regularly update Windows as the updates solve any existing bugs and bring about new features.
Usually, users use the graphical interface on the OS to search for and install updates. However, there are some cases where you may want to run this process from the Command-line (CLI) tools such as Command Prompt and Windows PowerShell.
For instance, you may need to manage updates, especially for other users on a Windows server. Or, you may be creating a script where you need such commands.
How to Run Windows Update from Command Line?
There are a few ways to run Windows Update from the command line on a Windows system, which are as follows:
Using Command Prompt
On Windows 10 and 11, Microsoft uses the Update Session Orchestrator Client UsoClient.exe
tool for updating your system components.
Previously, it was possible for users to use this program from the Command Prompt to check and install updates. However, in the latest versions, you can only check for updates. Regardless, you can try using the steps below and check if they work out for you:
- Open Run by pressing Win + R.
- Type
cmd
and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open the Elevated Command Prompt. - Enter the following commands depending on the corresponding operations:
UsoClient StartScan
– Start the scan for available updatesUsoClient StartDownload
– Download but not install the updates or patches you scanned for.UsoClient StartInstall
– Install all downloaded updates.UsoClient ScanInstallWait
– Scans, downloads, and installs the updatesUsoClient RestartDevice
– Restarts your computer to complete the update installationUsoClient ResumeUpdate
– Resumes the installation of update after rebootUsoClient RefreshSettings
– Refresh the update settings to the default
You can also check which UsoClient commands you can use on your system by using the following command on the Elevated Windows PowerShell:
- Open Run.
- Type
powershell
and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open the Elevated Windows PowerShell. - Copy and paste the following command and press Enter:
Get-ScheduledTask -TaskPath '\Microsoft\Windows\UpdateOrchestrator\' | Select-Object @{Expression={$_.TaskName};Label="TaskName"}, @{Expression={$_.Actions.Execute + ' ' + $_.Actions.Arguments};Label="CommandLine"}
On older Windows versions, you could use the Windows Update Agent WUAUCLT.exe
to update Windows.
First, you need to enable Automatic Updates with scheduled installation through the Group Policy. Otherwise using the Windows Update Agent from Command Prompt won’t work. To do so,
- Open Run and enter
gpedit.msc
to open the Local Group Policy Editor. - Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update.
- If it doesn’t contain policies but expands to further folders, go to Manage end user experience.
- Double-click on Configure Automatic Updates.
- Check Enabled and set Configuring automatic updating to 4 – Auto download and schedule the install.
- You can choose any schedule you want. Then, click Apply and OK.
Then, you can use the following commands on Prompt to update Windows using the Update Agent:
wuauclt /detectnow
– Scans for available updateswuauclt /updatenow
– Installs the available updateswuauclt /detectnow /updatenow
– Combines both the processes above
Microsoft didn’t exactly create the WUAUCLT.exe
and UsoClient.exe
tools for end users. So you won’t get any additional information for whether the commands are actually running when you use them on the Command Prompt. The Prompt will show that these commands have finished running even when they are still operating in the background.
You have to estimate the time it may take and wait until then. So, instead of this method, we recommend using Windows PowerShell as you can get more detailed information during the process.
Using PowerShell
Windows PowerShell is a very powerful Windows CLI with which you can do everything that Command Prompt allows and many more. Naturally, you can use it to run windows updates. Here’s what you need to do:
- Press Win + R to open Run.
- Type
powershell
and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open the Elevated PowerShell. If you use PowerShell 7, you can open it by enteringpwsh
instead ofpowershell
- Enter the command below to download and install the Windows Update Module, which you need to run the actual commands for updating Windows:
Install-Module PSWindowsUpdate
- On the prompts, type
Y
and press Enter. - After installing it, enter the following update commands to perform the corresponding actions:
Get-WindowsUpdate
– Scans for available updates and displays themInstall-WindowsUpdate
– Downloads and installs all the available updatesGet-WindowsUpdate -AcceptAll -Install -AutoReboot
– Downloads and installs all the available updates while automatically rebooting the PC after the installation if necessary.Get-WindowsUpdate -Install -KBArticleID 'KB5017859'
– Install the KB5017859 update. You need to replace the update ID ‘KB5017859’ with the KB Article ID of the available updates from theGet-WindowsUpdate
command.
Using Visual Basic Script
While the above command line methods can run Windows Update, they are not interactive and user-friendly. Microsoft’s platform contains some Visual Basic Script (VB script) to run an interactive update process from the CLI, especially as a sample for developers. However, you can also use this script for your purpose.
- Open Run and enter
notepad
to launch this text editor. - Then, open a web browser and go to the following Microsoft pages depending on whether you want to install a particular update or all updates at once:
- All Available Updates
- Specific Updates
- Copy the script from the page to the notepad you just opened.
- Press Ctrl + S to save the file.
- Set Save as type to All files and File name to
UpdateInstall.vbs
. You can use any name, but remember to use the.vbs
extension. - Save it on any location by navigating there and clicking on Save.
- Then, open the Elevated Command Prompt.
- Enter the following command while replacing the path:
cscript “<Path to the folder>\UpdateInstall.vbs”
- You can also right-click on the script on your file explorer and select Copy as path. Then, paste it after typing
cscript
and the space to avoid manually typing the full path. - Then, follow the on-screen instructions on the CLI.
Windows Updates can be run from PowerShell and Command Prompt in Windows 11/10. In this article, we will be checking out how to do it. Windows Update is one of the most highlighted features of Windows. Windows is offered to the customers as a service rather than a product. Under the scenario of Software as a Service, this led to the Windows Updates on Windows 11/10 being on by default and without an option for anyone to disable it.
While some criticized Microsoft’s move, ultimately, this is a step towards the customer’s greater good. Windows Update helps users stay secure against all kinds of threats and provides them with the latest and greatest from Microsoft. So, for those who appreciate this service, today, we are going to talk about another way to run these updates.
The following methods will be carried out to run Windows Update from Command Line on Windows 11/10-
- Using Windows Powershell.
- Using Command Prompt.
1] Run Windows Update using Windows Powershell
Running Windows Updates on Windows Powershell will require you to Install the Windows Update module manually, Get Windows Updates downloaded and Install Windows Updates. And for this, open Windows Powershell by searching for Powershell in the Cortana search box and run it with Administrator level privileges.
Install the PSWindowsUpdate Module
Type in,
Install-Module PSWindowsUpdate
to install the Windows Update module for Windows Powershell.
Check for Updates
After that,
Get-WindowsUpdate
to connect to the Windows Update servers and download the updates if found.
Install Updates
Finally, type in,
Install-WindowsUpdate
to install the Windows Updates downloaded on your computer.
Check for Microsoft Updates
Add-WUServiceManager -MicrosoftUpdate
Install specific updates only
Get-WindowsUpdate -KBArticleID "KB1234567" -Install
Hide specific Update
Install-WindowsUpdate -NotKBArticle "KB1234567" -AcceptAll
Skip Updates belonging to specific categories
Install-WindowsUpdate -NotCategory "Drivers","FeaturePacks" -AcceptAll
Related: Command-line switches to deploy Microsoft software Update packages
2] Run Windows Update using Command Prompt
Command Prompt on Windows Operating Systems exists since a very long time whereas Windows Powershell is comparatively new. Hence, it has similar capabilities to run Windows Updates, but the highlighting point here is that you do not need to download any module for Windows Updates.
First, open Command Prompt by searching for cmd in the Cortana search box and run it with Administrator level privileges.
Click on Yes for the UAC Prompt that you get.
Finally, type in the following commands and hit the Enter key in order to perform the respective operations,
Start checking for updates:
UsoClient StartScan
Start downloading Updates:
UsoClient StartDownload
Start installing the downloaded updates:
UsoClient StartInstall
Restart your device after installing the updates:
UsoClient RestartDevice
Check, Download and Install Updates:
UsoClient ScanInstallWait
It is worth noting that, the Command Prompt commands mentioned above are just meant for Windows 11/10 only.
How to enable the Windows Update service in Windows 11?
If the Windows Update service is disabled or is set to run manually, then you can enable the Windows Update service in Windows 11/10 using the following steps:
- Type services in the Search box and use Enter key
- In the Services window, double-click on Windows Update service to open its Properties
- In the Properties window, set the Startup type to Automatic
- Press the Start button to run the service
- Press Apply button and OK button to save the changes.
How do I know if Windows Update is installed in Command Prompt?
If you want to check the history of installed security updates or critical updates in Command Prompt on Windows 11/10, then first open the elevated Command Prompt window and execute wmic qfe list
command. This will show the update description, update ID (or Hotfix ID), Installed by, Installed On, etc., information. Here, do note that not all Windows Updates are visible. So, it is better to access the Update history section in the Settings app of Windows 11/10 to see all the installed updates.
Related read: How to Update Drivers using Command Prompt.
Hope you find this post useful.
Важно! Обновить операционную систему из «Командной строки» можно только в том случае, если в Windows 10 включена служба «Центра обновления Windows». Рекомендуется перед выполнением основной инструкции убедиться в этом. При необходимости воспользуйтесь руководством, опубликованным в тематической статье на нашем сайте.
Подробнее: Включение «Центра обновления» в Windows 10
Чтобы обновить Windows 10 через окно консоли, его изначально необходимо открыть, только делать это следует от имени администратора. Одним из способов запуска «Командной строки» с повышенными привилегиями подразумевает использование поиска по системе. Установите курсор в соответствующее поле на панели задач, а затем введите запрос «Командная строка» (без кавычек). Как только в результатах отобразится искомая программа, наведите на нее курсор и в дополнительном меню справа выберите пункт «Запуск от имени администратора».
Читайте также: Как запустить «Командную строку» от имени администратора в Windows 10
После появления на экране черного окна консоли, воспользуйтесь командой для сканирования наличия обновлений. Для этого введите приведенную ниже строку и нажмите Enter для ее выполнения.
UsoClient StartScan
При наличии обновлений инициализация их загрузки выполняется посредством другой команды, показанной ниже. Не забудьте нажать Enter после того, как введете ее.
UsoClient StartDownload
Если все апдейты скачаны на компьютер, можно произвести их инсталляцию. Делается это путем ввода команды, приведенной ниже.
UsoClient StartInstall
Вы также можете выполнить команду, чтобы после завершения установки обновлений компьютер автоматически перезагрузился. Это иногда требуется для применения внесенных изменений.
UsoClient RestartDevice
Обратите внимание! Все вышеперечисленные команды можно выполнять по отдельности, но при необходимости их последовательного ввода предпочтительнее воспользоваться всего одной командой, которая автоматически их поочередно выполняет. То есть если вписать строку ниже в консоль и нажать Enter, будет произведен поиск обновлений, их загрузка и автоматическая установка. А при необходимости компьютер после этого перезагрузится.
UsoClient ScanInstallWait
Несмотря на то, что операционная система Windows 10 позволяет для обновления использовать «Командную строку», предпочтительнее это делать стандартным способом — через «Центр обновления Windows». Таким образом вы сможете контролировать каждый этап процедуры через графический интерфейс, чего не позволяет консоль. На нашем сайте есть отдельная статья, в которой этот процесс подробно описан.
Подробнее: Установка обновлений Windows 10
Читайте также: Полезные команды для «Командной строки» в Windows 10
Наша группа в TelegramПолезные советы и помощь
Run Windows Update From Command Line (Windows 10/11). In this guide, we will introduce Windows update, its type then show you different method to run Windows update via command line.
What is Windows Update?
Windows Update is a free service from Microsoft that helps keep your computer up to date with the latest security and software updates. When you install new software, Windows Update automatically checks for and downloads any available updates. Also check manually for updates from the Windows Update Control Panel.
Here with Windows Update is a service that was first introduced with Windows Vista, and it has been included in every version of Windows since then. It provides users with the option to install various updates and new features on their systems.
The concept behind this service is simple: when you want an update, instead of searching online for files or downloading them yourself, you can simply click on the “Check for Updates” button on your system.
Types of Windows Updates
Well, with Windows updates are used to update drivers for hardware devices as well as patches and other security areas to prevent malware and malicious attacks. There are various types of Windows Updates:
Defender Based Updates
Windows Defender is an integrated security solution that protects you from known and unknown threats. Primarily designed to provide real time protection against viruses, spyware, and other potentially unwanted software, as well as to identify and block attempts at unauthorized access.
Rollup Updates
Rollups include all the security fixes Microsoft releases in one group of updates. This means that you won’t have to install multiple updates if one fails or doesn’t solve your issue. Rollup updates also include non security improvements like reliability improvements, minor feature enhancements, and other fixes that improve the overall performance of Windows 10 on your device.
Service Packs
Service Packs are cumulative updates that include all the latest fixes for a particular Windows release. These updates are released once or twice a year and are installed on any computer running the same Windows release.
The Service Pack is designed to address any security vulnerabilities and bugs that were found in the previous versions of Windows. In addition, it also includes any new features that Microsoft has added to the operating system since the last Service Pack release.
Critical Updates
Critical updates are important for software and hardware compatibility, security, and stability of the computer. These are mostly released to fix problems addressing some of the critical non security related bugs.
Why it is important to install Windows Update?
Simple, the Windows Update is important because it comes with security updates, which means that Microsoft can fix any problems with its software. This makes Windows more secure and keeps you safe from viruses, malware, and other threats.
If you have a virus on your computer and you don’t have the latest version of Windows Update installed then the virus will still be there after the update has been installed. Therefore, if you get a new version of Windows Update then all of your old viruses will be removed automatically.
In short, Windows Update helps protect your computer from specific types of malware by downloading definitions for known viruses, spyware, and other types of malicious software. Without Windows Update enabled, you won’t be able to install updates that contain these files.
Use the Update service to check for newly released patches, but also use it to install new patches and security updates.
What is more, with Windows Update is also useful if you want to install some features built into Windows 7 or 8 (such as BitLocker encryption or virtualization). These features are often installed through other methods (like entering an administrator password), so they won’t show up in the normal list of installed updates if you haven’t used them recently enough.
Overall, these updates are essential to keep Windows up to date with the latest security updates.
We shall do the main part of this article How To Run Windows Update From Command Line (Windows 10/11).
How To Run Windows Update From Command Line (Windows 10/11)
Firstly, install the WuInstall tool to run Windows update via command prompt. WuInstall is a powerful tool that allows you to download and install Windows updates via command prompt.
Download and install WuInstall tool from its official download page. After the installation, open the Windows command prompt in administrative mode.
First, search for the latest updates using the following command:
This command will prints a list of all updates.
To download all available updates to your system, run the following command:
To install all downloaded updates, run the following command:
If you want to install updates without showing anything on the screen, run the following command:
To accept any agreement during update installation, run the following command:
wuinstall /autoaccepteula
If you want to install all updates after the system restart, run the following command:
In some cases, Windows update files get corrupted and you can not download and install the corrupted update files. In this case, you can fix corrupted Windows update using the following command:
dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
After running the above command, you will need to try downloading and installing the updates again.
How to Run Windows Update Via PowerShell (Windows 10/11)
PowerShell provides a simple and easiest way to run update via command line. First, you will need to install the “PowerShell Windows Update module” to run the update.
First, open your PowerShell and run the following command to install the “PowerShell update module”:
Install-Module PSWindowsUpdate
After installing the above module, you see the list of all commands available in the module using the following command:
Get-Command -module PSWindowsUpdate
You should see the following screen:
By default, the above module only install the Windows and driver updates. If want to install updates of other Microsoft product, run the following command:
Add-WUServiceManager -MicrosoftUpdate
Next, allow the execution of scripts on your machine by running the following command:
Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned
In this step, download and list all available updates using the following command:
You should see the list of all available updates in the following screen:
To install all Windows update, run the following command:
You should see the following screen:
To install all Windows and other product updates, run the following command:
Install-WindowsUpdate -MicrosoftUpdate
If you want to install a specific Windows Update from the available updates list, use the following command:
Get-WindowsUpdate -KBArticleID "KB-Number" -Install
If you want to install only Driver updates, run the following command:
Install-WindowsUpdate -NotCategory "Drivers","FeaturePacks" -AcceptAll
How to Uninstall Windows Updates via Command Line
First, get a list of all installed updates with the following command:
wmic qfe list brief /format:table
You should see the following screen:
Next, pick any KB number from the above list and run the following command to uninstall it:
wusa /uninstall /kb:Number
Thank you for reading How To Run Windows Update From Command Line (Windows 10/11). We will now conclude.
Run Windows Update From Command Line (Windows 10/11) Conclusion
Summing up, Windows Update has been a part of Windows since its release in 1985 as a way for Microsoft to update its operating system. The idea behind this service was that it would be easier for users to install updates from Microsoft or other vendors, as opposed to having to manually download them from their local computer or placing an order at a retail store.
While the original version of Windows Update was fairly simple, it has evolved over the years into a robust service that allows users to download any available update package directly from Microsoft’s website without having to manually search for it online or install it manually using software like Program Compatibility Wizard.
Lastly, Windows Update is a service that helps keep Windows, apps, and devices up to date with the latest security updates, stability improvements, and feature updates. You can use Windows Update to automatically download updates from Microsoft.
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