How to Set Up Automatic Updates on Windows and Mac

Keeping your computer up to date is one of the simplest yet most important tasks you can do to maintain security and performance. Automatic updates ensure that your system is always running the latest software versions without the hassle of manually checking for updates.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about setting up automatic updates on both Windows and Mac. Whether you're a beginner or just looking for a refresher, this guide will walk you through each step clearly and simply.

Why Automatic Updates Are Important

Before diving into how to set up automatic updates, let’s understand why automatic updates are crucial for every computer user:

1. Security Enhancements: Every day, new security vulnerabilities are discovered in software systems. Hackers often exploit these vulnerabilities to launch cyberattacks. When software developers discover these vulnerabilities, they release patches through updates to fix them. Keeping your system updated automatically ensures that your system is less vulnerable to security breaches.
2. Improved Performance: Software updates frequently include performance improvements that make your computer run faster and more efficiently. These updates can fix bugs, optimize resource usage, and improve overall system responsiveness.
3. Compatibility with New Technology: As technology advances, older software may become incompatible with newer hardware or other software. Updates help maintain compatibility, ensuring that you can still use modern apps and devices with your current system.
4. Convenience and Time-Saving: Automatic updates save you the hassle of manually checking for updates, downloading them, and installing them. Instead, your system does all the work behind the scenes, ensuring that you are always running the latest version of your operating system and other critical software.
5. Compliance with Legal and Policy Requirements: Many organizations, including schools and workplaces, require that devices meet certain security and compliance standards. Automatic updates ensure that your computer is compliant with these standards, protecting both your data and your organization's data.

Setting Up Automatic Updates on Windows

Windows has made it relatively easy to set up automatic updates, ensuring that even non-technical users can stay protected. Let’s go through the steps for enabling automatic updates on various versions of Windows, with a focus on Windows 10 and Windows 11, the most widely used versions in Canada today.

How to Enable Automatic Updates on Windows 10

Step 1: Open the Settings Menu

1. Click the Start button in the lower-left corner of your screen.
2. From the Start menu, click the Settings icon, which looks like a gear.

Step 2: Navigate to Update & Security

1. In the Settings menu, find and click on Update & Security. This will open a new window dedicated to updating your system and managing security features.

Step 3: Enable Automatic Updates

1. Once you are in the Update & Security section, you will see a tab labeled Windows Update on the left-hand side. Click on it.
2. Here, you will find an option that says Check for updates. You can click this anytime to manually check for updates. However, for automatic updates, you need to ensure the following settings are enabled:
   • Scroll down and click on Advanced options.
   • Under Advanced options, look for the toggle switch labeled Automatically download updates, even over metered data connections (charges may apply). Turn this switch on. This ensures that updates will automatically download and install.

Step 4: Adjust Active Hours Windows may restart your computer to apply updates, which can be inconvenient if you’re working. To minimize interruptions, you can set your active hours, which tell Windows when not to restart your computer for updates.

1. In the Windows Update settings, click on Change active hours.
2. Set the start and end times when you typically use your computer, such as from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Windows will avoid restarting your device during these hours.

How to Enable Automatic Updates on Windows 11

Step 1: Access Settings

1. Similar to Windows 10, click the Start button in the lower-left corner, then select the Settings icon (gear icon).

Step 2: Open Windows Update Settings

1. In the Settings menu, click Windows Update on the left-hand side.
2. You’ll be taken to a page with update settings.

Step 3: Enable Automatic Updates

1. By default, Windows 11 has automatic updates enabled. However, to verify this, click on Advanced options.
2. In the Advanced options menu, ensure that both of the following options are turned on:
   • Receive updates for other Microsoft products when you update Windows
   • Automatically download updates

Step 4: Customize Active Hours and Other Settings

1. Like Windows 10, you can set Active hours to prevent inconvenient restarts during work or leisure time.
2. You can also pause updates for up to 35 days by toggling the Pause updates option in the Windows Update section.

Windows Update Summary Table

Setting Up Automatic Updates on Mac

Setting up automatic updates on a Mac is similarly easy, and macOS allows you to fine-tune which updates are automatically installed. Let’s go through the step-by-step instructions for enabling automatic updates on Mac computers.

How to Enable Automatic Updates on macOS (Monterey, Ventura, and Beyond)

Step 1: Open System Settings or System Preferences

1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. From the drop-down menu, select System Settings (or System Preferences in older macOS versions).

Step 2: Go to Software Update

1. In System Settings, look for Software Update. It is often located near the top of the menu under General in newer versions of macOS. In older versions, it is available directly in System Preferences.
2. Click on Software Update, and your Mac will check for any pending updates.

Step 3: Enable Automatic Updates

1. At the top of the Software Update window, you will see an option labeled Automatically keep my Mac up to date. Ensure this box is checked. This enables automatic updates for macOS.
2. For more customization, click Advanced (if available). Here, you can select specific options such as:
   • Check for updates
   • Download new updates when available
   • Install macOS updates
   • Install app updates from the App Store
   • Install system data files and security updates

We recommend keeping all of these options enabled to ensure your Mac stays up to date in all areas.

Additional Update Options on macOS

While setting up automatic updates, macOS offers additional choices to suit your preferences. Here are some of the available options:

1. App Updates from the App Store: If you regularly use applications from the Mac App Store, enabling automatic updates for these apps ensures they stay current.
2. Security Updates and System Files: These updates are critical to maintaining the security of your Mac. Even if you choose not to automatically install system updates, we strongly recommend enabling automatic security updates.
3. Download Only: You can opt to download updates automatically but not install them until you’re ready. This allows you to review what’s being updated.

macOS Automatic Updates Summary Table

Troubleshooting Automatic Updates

Even though automatic updates are generally a “set it and forget it” feature, sometimes things don’t go as planned. Here are some common issues and solutions.

1. Updates Not Downloading

Problem: You’ve enabled automatic updates, but updates aren’t being downloaded or installed. Solution:

• Check your internet connection. Automatic updates require a stable and consistent internet connection.
• Make sure your computer is plugged in and has sufficient battery life. On laptops, updates may be paused if the battery is low.

2. Automatic Restarts at Inconvenient Times

Problem: Your computer restarts to install updates during important work or activities. Solution:

• Set your active hours properly. This tells your computer when not to restart for updates. On Windows, this can be set in the Windows Update settings. On Mac, you don’t have this option, but updates will prompt you before restarting.

3. Not Enough Disk Space

Problem: The update fails because your computer doesn’t have enough storage space. Solution:

• On both Windows and Mac, ensure that your system drive has enough free space for the update. On Windows, you can use the Storage Sense feature to automatically free up space. On Mac, go to Apple Menu > About This Mac > Storage to see how much free space you have and manage storage.

4. System Compatibility

Problem: Your computer is too old to receive the latest updates. Solution:

• Both Windows and macOS regularly discontinue support for older devices. Check to see if your device is still compatible with the latest version of the operating system. If not, consider upgrading to a newer device to ensure that you remain secure and compatible with new software.

FAQs on Automatic Updates

1. What happens if I turn off automatic updates?

Turning off automatic updates means you will have to manually check for and install updates. This can leave your computer vulnerable to security threats and may prevent you from accessing new features or performance improvements.

2. Will automatic updates slow down my computer?

While updates are downloading or installing, your computer may experience temporary slowdowns. However, these updates are designed to improve system performance and security in the long term.

3. Can I choose which updates to install automatically?

• On Windows: You can choose to automatically install Windows updates but may have less control over specific updates (e.g., security patches vs. feature updates).
• On macOS: You have more granular control and can choose whether to automatically install system updates, app updates, or only security updates.

4. Do automatic updates use a lot of data?

Automatic updates can consume a significant amount of data, especially if you have a metered or limited internet connection. On Windows, you can adjust settings so that updates are only downloaded over non-metered connections.

Conclusion

Automatic updates are essential for keeping your system secure, optimized, and compatible with the latest software. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that both your Windows and Mac systems stay updated without the hassle of manual intervention.

For Canadians in particular, who are often navigating varying data plans and long working hours, setting up automatic updates can help ensure that your systems are protected without impacting your daily routine. Whether you're a casual user or someone managing multiple devices, automatic updates will save you time and keep your data secure.

Stay up to date, stay secure, and enjoy peace of mind knowing that your computer is taking care of itself!