How to turn ON/OFF Windows 8 Automatic Updates?

Did you know that Windows 8 can automatically check for available updates? Yes, just like other Windows operating systems, it supports Windows Update service. So, when settings are right, Windows 8 can download and install important updates automatically. By default automatic updating is enabled during setup of Windows 8. But it can be easily enabled or disabled. Want to know how to turn on or turn off automatic updates in Windows 8?  If yes, read on.

Steps to turn on Automatic Updates in Windows 8:

1. Open Windows Update in Control panel by using Search function.
2. In the left pane, click or tap Change settings.
3. Under Important updates section, choose “Install updates automatically (recommended)”.
4. Under Recommended updates, select the check box.
5. Under Microsoft Updates, select the check box.
6. Click the OK button.

Steps to disable Windows 8 Automatic Updates:

1. Open Windows Update by using Search.
2. Click the Change settings in left pane.
3. Under Important updates section, select “Never check for updates (not recommended)”.
4. Click the OK button.

Windows Update settings & options:

Microsoft’s Windows Update delivers both important and recommended updates for a system. The important updates are often crucial for bug fixes, performance and stability. As I said above, Install updates automatically is the recommended setting for important updates. The second option says “Download updates but let me choose whether to install them.” Selecting this option means all latest updates for Windows 8 will be downloaded but you can control when to install them. The third option is “Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them.” In my view, the third option is for experts. Unless you don’t know what you are doing, don’t use that option. The last option for important updates is “Never check for updates (not recommended)”. As the title says, selecting that will stop checking or downloading of updates. Not recommended to general users.

In the Windows Update settings page, you’ll find a Recommended update section. Selecting the check box for the option “Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates” will ensure that you get additional software updates apart from the important updates. Similarly, option in the Microsoft Update section controls whether or not to update other Microsoft products installed on your computer. Turning that option on will help in keeping all your Microsoft products updated.