Configuration Manager supports express installation files for Windows 10 updates. Configure the client to download only the changes between the current month's Windows 10 cumulative quality update and the previous month's update. Without express installation files, Configuration Manager clients download the full Windows 10 cumulative update each month, including all updates from previous months. Using express installation files provides for smaller downloads and faster installation times on clients.
Windows XP Service Pack 3 includes all the previously released updates for the operating system. This update includes a small number of new functionalities, which do not significantly alter the users experience with the operating system. This download is the self-extracting executable, which. On the Settings page, navigate to Update & security > Windows Update. Once there, simply click “Check for updates” to begin the download and installation process. You can als o watch this video that outlines how to get the April 2018 Update.
To learn how to use Configuration Manager to manage update content to stay current with Windows 10, see Optimize Windows 10 update delivery.
Important
Windows Update files are located in windows SoftwareDistribution Download folder. While updates are installing their file attributes is set hidden and system you must show hidden and protected files. Some updates is removed from this folder. Wednesday, November 7, 2007 7:07 PM.
The OS client support is available in Windows 10, version 1607, with an update to the Windows Update Agent. This update is included with the updates released on April 11, 2017. For more information about these updates, see support article 4015217. Future updates leverage express for smaller downloads. Prior versions of Windows 10, and Windows 10 version 1607 without this update don't support express installation files.
Enable the site to download express installation files for Windows 10 updates
To start synchronizing the metadata for Windows 10 express installation files, enable it in the properties of the software update point.
In the Configuration Manager console, go to the Administration workspace, expand Site Configuration, and select the Sites node.
Select the central administration site or the stand-alone primary site.
In the ribbon, click Configure Site Components, and then click Software Update Point. Switch to the Update Files tab, and select Download both full files for all approved updates and express installation files for Windows 10.
Note
You can't configure the software update point component to only download express updates. The site downloads the express installation files in addition to the full files. This increases the amount of content stored in the content library, and distributed to and stored on your distribution points.
Tip
To determine the actual space being used on disk by the file, check the Size on disk property of the file. The Size on disk property should be considerably smaller than the Size value. For more information, see FAQs to optimize Windows 10 update delivery.
Enable clients to download and install express installation files
To enable express installation files support on clients, enable express installation files in the Software Updates group of client settings. This setting creates a new HTTP listener that listens for requests to download express installation files on the port that you specify.
Note
This is a local port that clients use to listen for requests from Delivery Optimization or Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) to download express content from the distribution point. You don't need to open this port on firewalls because all traffic is on the local computer.
Once you deploy client settings to enable this functionality on the client, it attempts to download the delta between the current month's Windows 10 cumulative update and the previous month's update. Clients must run a version of Windows 10 that supports express installation files.
Enable support for express installation files in the properties of the software update point component (previous procedure).
In the Configuration Manager console, go to the Administration workspace, and select Client Settings.
Select the appropriate client settings, and click Properties on the ribbon.
Select the Software Updates group. Configure to Yes the setting to Enable installation of Express Updates on clients. Configure the Port used to download content for Express Updates with the port used by the HTTP listener on the client.
Windows Update is a free Microsoft service that's used to provide updates like service packs and patches for the Windows operating system and other Microsoft software.
Windows Update can also be used to update drivers for popular hardware devices.
Patches and other security updates are routinely released through Windows Update on the second Tuesday of every month — it's called Patch Tuesday. However, Microsoft releases updates on other days as well, like for urgent fixes.
What Is Windows Update Used For?
Windows Update is used to keep Microsoft Windows and several other Microsoft programs updated.
Updates often include feature enhancements and security updates to protect Windows from malware and malicious attacks.
You can also use Windows Update to access the update history that shows all the updates that have been installed to the computer through the Windows Update service.
How to Access Windows Update
How you access Windows Update depends on which Windows operating system you're using:
- Windows 10: Windows update is built-in and a part of Windows Settings, available from the Start menu.
- Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista: Windows update is integrated as a Control Panel applet and is accessible from within Control Panel.
- Windows Update can also be accessed in those versions of Windows by executing the control /name Microsoft.WindowsUpdatecommand from the Run dialog box (Windows Key + R).
- Windows XP, 2000, ME, 98: Windows Update is accessible using the Windows Update website through Internet Explorer.
See How to Check For & Install Windows Updates if you need more specific instructions.
How to Use Windows Update
Open the Windows Update Control Panel applet (or launch the Windows Update website in older versions of Windows). A list of available updates, customized to your specific computer, is shown.
Select the updates you wish to install and follow any instructions given to download and install the updates. Most of the process is entirely automated and might require just a few actions on your part, or you'll be prompted to restart the computer after the updates are finished installing.
See How Do I Change Windows Update Settings? for help customizing how Windows Update downloads and installs updates on your computer.
Windows Update Availability
All Windows operating systems since Windows 98 — Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP — use Windows Update. However, Windows Update does not update most of your other, non-Microsoft software. You'll need to update those programs yourself or use a free software updater program to do it for you.
Older Versions of Windows Update
The Critical Update Notification tool (which was later renamed to Critical Update Notification Utility) is a tool Microsoft released around the time of Windows 98. It runs in the background and notifies you when a critical update is available through Windows Update.
That tool was replaced by Automatic Updates, which is available in Windows Me and Windows 2003 SP3. Automatic Updates allows updates to be installed without having to go through a web browser, and it checks for updates less frequently than the Critical Update Notification tool.
More Information on Windows Update
Windows Update Download Folder Path
Since Windows Vista, updates may have the .MANIFEST, .MUM, or .CAT file extension to indicate a manifest file, Microsoft Update Manifest file, or security catalog file.
See our guide on How to Fix Problems Caused by Windows Updates if you suspect that a patch is the source of an error message or other problem.
Some non-Microsoft programs install Windows updates if you don't want to use Windows Update. Some examples include Windows Update Downloader, Autopatcher, and Portable Update.
Windows Update is not the same utility as the Windows Store, which is used to download music and apps.
Windows 10 Update Download Folder
Although Windows Update can update some device drivers, many aren't provided by Microsoft. These might include anything from a video card driver to driver for an advanced keyboard, in which case you'll want to update them yourself. One really easy way to download and install drivers without using Windows Update is through a free driver updater tool.