Windows Updates — GreenHornet IT Help Desk

Check & Install Updates

#	What to Do	How to Do It
1	Check for updates	Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for Updates. Let it finish.
2	Restart to finish updates	Save all your work first, then go to Start > Power > Update and Restart.
3	View update history	Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update History to see what has been installed.

Manage Updates

#	What to Do	How to Do It
1	Pause updates temporarily	Go to Settings > Windows Update > Pause Updates. Choose up to 5 weeks.

Clear Windows Update Cache

#	What to Do	How to Do It
1	Stop Windows Update service	Open Services, find Windows Update, right-click > Stop.
2	Delete cached update files	Delete all files in C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download\.
3	Restart Windows Update service	Go back to Services, right-click Windows Update > Start. Then check for updates again.

Troubleshoot Updates

#	Problem	Fix
1	Update is stuck	Restart your computer. If still stuck, go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other Troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run.
2	Updates failed to install	Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter (above), then try clearing the cache (see section above).

Quick Reference — One-Liners

Task	Command (PowerShell — Run as Admin)
Force update scan	`UsoClient StartScan`
Force update download & install	`UsoClient StartDownload; UsoClient StartInstall`
Clear update cache (one shot)	`Stop-Service wuauserv -Force; Remove-Item C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download\* -Recurse -Force; Start-Service wuauserv`
Check last update date	`Get-HotFix \| Sort-Object InstalledOn -Descending \| Select-Object -First 5`
Run Windows Update troubleshooter	`Start-Process "msdt.exe" "-id WindowsUpdateDiagnostic"`
Restart Windows Update service	`Restart-Service wuauserv -Force`

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