There are three distinct categories of software on a Windows PC, and each one has a different update mechanism. Windows itself updates through Windows Update. Apps from the Microsoft Store update through the Store. And third-party software — browsers, media players, creative tools, productivity apps — each has its own update system. Covering all three is what actually keeps your PC fully up to date. Most people only handle one or two. This guide covers all three completely.
Updates are not optional — they are your primary security layer
Security firstMost people think of software updates as annoying interruptions — pop-ups asking you to restart at inconvenient moments, new interfaces to re-learn, features that change without warning. But the core reason software updates exist is not to add features. It's to close security holes. When researchers discover a vulnerability in Windows, Chrome, Adobe Acrobat, or any other software, they report it to the developer who fixes it in an update. The moment that vulnerability becomes public knowledge — which is usually when the update is released — every hacker with bad intentions knows about it too. If you haven't applied the update, your PC is now a known, documented target. Automatic updates close that window before it can be exploited. It's the single most impactful security habit you can develop, and once it's configured, it requires zero ongoing effort.
Windows Update — the most important automatic update to configure
Highest priorityWindows Update handles operating system patches, security fixes, .NET framework updates, and many driver updates — all in one place. On Windows 11, automatic updates are enabled by default, but many users have disabled them at some point due to inconvenient restart prompts. If you've turned them off or aren't sure of your current settings, here's exactly how to verify and configure them properly. The goal is to have updates download automatically but give you control over when restarts happen — so Windows doesn't interrupt you mid-presentation with a forced reboot.
In Windows Update → Advanced options → Optional Updates, you'll find driver updates for your hardware components. These are not installed automatically — you need to check and install them manually. Click "Optional Updates" once a month, select all available driver updates, and install them. This keeps your graphics card, audio, and network drivers current without hunting for them on manufacturer websites.
Microsoft Store — auto-update is one toggle away
Easiest to set upApps installed from the Microsoft Store — Spotify, WhatsApp, VLC from Store, Canva, Instagram, and many others — have their own update mechanism entirely separate from Windows Update. Auto-updates for Store apps are usually enabled by default, but it's worth verifying and knowing how to trigger manual updates when needed. When Store apps are set to auto-update, they update silently in the background while you're using your PC — no notifications, no restart required, no action needed from you. It's the lowest-friction update system on Windows.
Third-party apps are the biggest update gap on most Windows PCs
Most neglectedChrome, Firefox, Zoom, VLC, 7-Zip, Adobe Reader, Notepad++, Discord, Slack — these are third-party apps that each handle updates independently. Some check for updates automatically every time they launch. Others require you to manually trigger the check. A few never update unless you specifically go looking. This fragmentation is the most common reason Windows PCs fall behind on security patches — people assume Windows Update handles everything, not realising it only covers Windows itself and Microsoft products. There are three approaches to solving this: using winget for command-line updates, using a dedicated software updater tool, or enabling in-app auto-updates individually.
winget upgrade — update all your software in one line
Fastest methodWindows 11's built-in package manager, winget, has a single command that checks every program it knows about on your system for updates and installs them all automatically. It works for hundreds of common applications — Chrome, Firefox, VLC, 7-Zip, Zoom, VS Code, and many more. Running winget upgrade --all once a week takes about two minutes and keeps almost everything on your PC current. You can even automate this to run on a schedule using Windows Task Scheduler so you literally never have to think about it.
Windows key + X and select "Terminal (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)." Click Yes when prompted by User Account Control. Administrator rights are needed to install updates for all users.winget upgrade and press Enter. winget will scan all installed apps and display a list of everything with an available update, showing the current version and the new version. Review this list before updating if you want to skip any specific app.winget upgrade --all and press Enter. winget will download and install updates for every app it detected. Some apps may show individual UAC prompts — click Yes for each. The whole process usually takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how many updates are available and your internet speed.winget as the program with upgrade --all --silent as the argument. Click Finish. From now on, winget updates all your software automatically every Sunday — no action needed from you.