Most updates to Windows 10 will go smoothly, but sometimes you can run into problems. Here are four steps you can take to solve the problems you might run into.
Run Windows Update troubleshooter tool
If you’re having trouble getting the update to install, check you’ve got enough space under Start > Settings > System > Storage – you’ll need around 10GB free on your hard drive. If that’s not the problem, it could be an issue with the update itself. Click Start, type trouble, then click the Troubleshoot settings link. In the window that opens, click the Windows Update option, then Run the troubleshooter. The tool will attempt to detect and fix any problems. At the end it will present any problems it has uncovered. Now try running the Update again.
Download and install the update manually
If this doesn’t fix it, or if you’re not able to receive the update automatically, there’s a way to download and install it manually. Visit this official Microsoft page and click Update now. Download the tool and double-click to run it and follow the on-screen steps. If this doesn’t work, click Download tool now and run that instead. Try Upgrade this PC now. Or hit Create installation media to download the update to a USB flash drive or blank DVD – handy if you want to install the update on another PC.
Want some more help with a Windows update? Our friendly tech team can help you with one-to-one support on a range of tech issues. Find out more here.
Sort out problems following the update
You might experience problems after the update is complete. It’s common, for example, to discover that several of Windows 10’s default settings have changed. If you find that documents or photos now open in unexpected apps, click Start > Settings > Apps > Default apps. Next, click the icon for each program you want to change back and select your preferred application from the list. Desktop icons can vanish after a feature update, too. If so, right-click the desktop and select View > Show desktop icons.
Roll back if you’re still having problems
If you're still having problems, the good news is that you can usually roll back to your previous version of Windows. Click Start > Settings > Update & security > Recovery. Click Get started below the Go back to the previous version of Windows option and follow the on-screen prompts. This roll-back option is only available for 10 days following the update. The Get started button will then be greyed out.
