How to force a Windows 10 update in 6 different ways

How to force a Windows 10 update in six different ways

Throughout this article, we’re going through six different ways in how to force a Windows 10 update.

Microsoft keeps releasing new Windows updates to patch existing bugs, offer novel features, and fix security issues within the operating system.

While these updates are available to the public and often readily installed by default, some Windows users might not get them immediately for varied reasons.

Even if they get the update option in Settings, it might not run properly or take an unusual amount of time for installation.

If these issues sound familiar to you, your computer is probably stuck on an outdated version.

Fortunately, there is nothing to worry about, as this guide will show you how to force a Windows update manually if it doesn’t install automatically on your Windows 10 device.

Additionally, we will also disclose possible reasons why your Windows Update feature might not be functioning properly.

So, let’s begin!

Table of Contents

  1. How to force a Windows 10 update in six different ways
    1. Is your PC running on the latest Windows version?
    2. Why does Windows need force update?
      1. Restart the Windows Update Service
      2. Restart the Background Intelligent Transfer Service
      3. Perform Disk Cleanup 
      4. Use Command Line to force Windows Update
      5. Using the Windows 10 Update Assistant
      6. Force Windows Updates via WuInstall
    3. Still unable to force Windows Updates?
  2. Wrap up

How to force a Windows 10 update in six different ways

Is your PC running on the latest Windows version?

Before you force a Windows 10 update, it’s essential to understand whether your device truly needs an update or not. Hence, to confirm which version your device is running on, follow the below steps:

  • From the “Start menu“, open “Settings“. Alternatively, you can press the “Windows+I” keys to launch the Settings app;
  • Click on “System” followed by “About“;
How to force a Windows 10 update in six different ways

  • Take note of the version and OS build under the “Windows specifications” section;

  • Now, visit the official Windows 10 release information page and check the latest version of Windows 10. Once you have confirmed that your PC is running on an outdated version, you can trigger a Windows update using the methods described in this guide.

Why does Windows need force update?

Windows updates are essential for a smooth user experience since Microsoft continuously releases updates to fix issues in the previous versions.

However, sometimes your system can delay a Windows 10 update due to a software conflict, insufficient storage space, or freezing of some system processes.

If the Windows update is experiencing a delay due to space issues, you can clean up the system by removing a bunch of junk files.

Check out this article to recover enough disk space for the update to start.

However, if the update is interrupted due to unspecified reasons, it’s best to force update Windows 10 using the following troubleshooting techniques:

Restart the Windows Update Service

As Windows updates are managed and checked by the Windows Update service, any malfunctioning in the Service could lead to update installation issues.

Hence, the most obvious solution to run Windows updates is to restart the Service.

Here is how you can force an update by restarting the Windows Update Service via the Services app:

  • Open “Services” from the Windows Search bar;

  • In the Services window, scroll down to find the “Windows Update” option;
  • Right-click the “Windows Update” option and click on “Restart“. Once you do this, the Windows Service will reconnect with the Windows Update servers to detect new updates;

  • In Settings, go to the “Windows Updates” tab and check whether new updates are available or not.

Restart the Background Intelligent Transfer Service

If restarting the Update Service doesn’t fix the issue, you can try restarting the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) to run the Windows update.

This is because Windows Update depends on BITS to download programs and other updates from the MS servers.

Therefore, if this service is inactive or not running properly, your Windows 10 PC will not be able to install the desired updates.

You can restart the BITS in the following way:

  • Press the “Windows+R” keys simultaneously to launch the Run Dialog Box;
  • Type “services.msc” in the box and “press Enter“;

  • Locate the “Background Intelligent Transfer Service” in the listed services;

  • Click on it, followed by “Restart the service” in the window’s left pane.

If that doesn’t fix the problem with your Windows updates, you can try other troubleshooting methods in this guide.

Perform Disk Cleanup

When a user downloads new OS updates, Windows tend to store the previous system files on the device.

Thus, with the previous files consuming a considerable space on your PC, Windows may not be able to download the latest updates.

Even if they don’t take ample storage space, these files are often corrupted and require immediate removal for future Windows updates to be successful.

Follow the listed steps to get done with the cleanup process:

  • Open the “Disk Cleanup” app via the Windows Search bar;

  • A drive selection window will pop up. Select the drive you want to clean up;

  • Tap on the “Clean up system files” button. Depending upon which drive you’ve selected, the tool will calculate the freeable space on your Windows device;

  • Select the drive again;
  • Next, check the “Windows Update Cleanup” option and click “Ok” to confirm the changes.

Use Command Line to force Windows Update

If you are into technology, you can use the Command Prompt application to force Windows updates in.

Here’s what you need to do:

  • In the Windows Search box, type “Command Prompt” and launch it in administrator mode;

  • Type “wuauclt.exe /updatenow” in the command line and press “Enter“. As soon as you do this, Windows will start searching for updates;

  • “Open Settings” by pressing the Windows+I” keys;
  • Click on the “Update & Security” option;
  • Switch to the “Windows Update” tab and tap on the “Check for updates” option. The Windows will display the message “Checking for updates“;

  • Finally, follow the instructions on the screen to get done with the Windows 10 installation process.

Using the Windows 10 Update Assistant

Another way to get the latest version of Windows 10 is to directly install it from the official Windows 10 software download page.

This will not only force install an update but will also perform compatibility checks to ensure your Windows 10 PC meets the new Windows build requirements.

  • Visit the “Download Windows 10” page using your browser;
  • Click on the “Update now” button to quickly install the desired update;

  • Once the Windows 10 Upgrade setup file is downloaded, open it and follow the on-screen steps to equip your computer with the latest upgrade.

Force Windows Updates via WuInstall

WuIntsall is a reliable command line tool that manages Windows updates, allowing the users to install the latest builds on demand.

With WuInstall, the admins get to upgrade their systems using their own scripts while having complete control over the update process.

You can use this user-friendly tool either as a standalone fix or combine it with WSUS or other software programs.

The tool is an appropriate solution not only for running a small network but also for a vast network with thousands of servers.

Here’s how you can utilize WuInstall to your benefit:

  • Go to “wuinstall.com” and download and install the line command tool. Here, you will have the option of testing the software with a fully functional 30-day trial. If the software matches your system infrastructure, you can then make a complete purchase;
  • In the Windows Search box, type “cmd” and open the Command Prompt by clicking on the “Run as administrator” option;
  • Now type “wuInstall/search” in the command line and press “Enter“. This command will search and list the relevant Microsoft updates available on your PC;
  • Next, type “wuInstall /download” to trigger the download process. The listed updates will be downloaded to your system;
  • The last part of this process is to type “wuInstall /install” in the command line and hit “Enter“. Here, the downloaded updates will be installed on the system;
  • The installation could take some time, depending upon the speed of your system. Wait for a while until the installation process is finished.

In addition to the above-listed methods, you can also make use of the Microsoft Windows Update Troubleshooter to resolve issues that might be preventing Windows 10 from upgrading itself.

Still unable to force Windows Updates?

There are times when even after trying dozens of methods available on the internet, you wouldn’t be able to force Windows updates.

This is primarily due to a Safeguard Hold that Microsoft places on your affected PC in order to prevent it from downloading a new OS version, which may be incompatible with the system.

Hence, if that’s the case, your Microsoft Windows updates page will display an error message: “The Windows 10 Updates is on its way. Once it’s ready for your device, you’ll see the update available on this page“.

Microsoft highly recommends its users not to manually download a feature update until a renewed and verified version is available for an automatic download.

Just wait for a few days, and the safeguard will be lifted by Microsoft itself.

Wrap up

It’s a known fact that Microsoft rolls out its updates in waves to identify and resolve issues as they occur.

While it’s the best way to ensure a smooth user experience, it’s often frustrating for the users to wait around for months before the updates finally get released for automatic installation.

If you are not in a hurry to test the new version, we encourage you to wait for a while until the update is available for download.

However, if you are tired of the waiting cycle like most Windows users, you can utilize any of the above methods to force an update as soon as it rolls out.

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