Ah doesn’t it annoy you when you want to do some work and Windows decides to install updates when you turn your computer on? We’ve all been there But is it a bad thing? In this article, I will discuss why Microsoft has decided to take this step and the advantages of it.

Let’s start with the past…

In previous versions of Windows such as Windows XP, Microsoft never used to force users to install updates as much as it does with Windows 10. In return, this caused a lot of users to think they didn’t need updates, so people never installed them. This caused a lot of issues for security, stability, and even device compatibility. Today I still come across outdated devices with an older version of Windows installed.

A great example of issues that can be caused by outdated versions of Windows was a laptop I was repairing for a friend who was complaining that nothing works. He only had Internet Explorer 9 installed, the laptop didn’t even have Service Pack 1 on it! The biggest issue was that the software he needed to use wasn’t supported on Windows 7 without Service Pack 1 installed. The laptop was also infected. I had to wipe the drive and we decided that the best cause of action was to upgrade it to Windows 10. Many of the issues could have been solved by running updates. This type of situation was very common in those days and it started with even earlier versions of Windows such as Windows XP.

Working in IT, I think the big issue is that people don’t seem to understand what updates are, hence the reason I’m writing this article. Even today people are calling off Windows updates until they no longer can, this obviously is on versions higher than Windows 10 Home since updates on Windows 10 Home happen automatically.

But what are updates and why do I need them?

Just in case you don’t know, an update can be fixed, improved, or new software that replaces the older version of that same software. This makes sure that your computer is always running at optimal condition. There are many types of updates such as…

Definition Updates

These are some of the most common updates you will see being downloaded. These updates are what Windows Security (Previously known as Windows Defender) needs in order to know about the latest threats. Different antivirus vendors handle updates differently. These updates make sure that your system is secure.

Driver Updates

Drivers are programs that enable the hardware inside your computer to
communicate with Windows. For example, your operating system, won’t know all the features of that new graphics card automatically. Well, I sort of lied because Windows 10 now automatically installs the drivers for most devices, but you get the point.

Updating device drivers can not only improve the performance of your PC, but it can also fix any issues you might be having such as no sound. However, these updates are downloaded occasionally.

Cumulative Updates

Cumulative updates are Windows Updates which include improvements to
enhance the functionality of programs and applications on Windows 10.

Feature Updates

Feature updates are less common than other updates, in fact, they are released every six months. These updates often feature many improvements and changes. These changes may include new themes such as the new light theme or the new Windows 10 wallpaper.

SO why is Windows 10 always updating?

Well according to Microsoft “Windows 10 is a service” which means that they release frequent updates including bug fixes, security patches, and new features. The system automatically checks for updates once per day and if any updates are found they are downloaded and installed automatically.