5 reasons Windows updates as often as it does

While working on your Windows device, you probably receive frequent notifications about OS updates. These notifications, although harmless, can appear at very inconvenient times, like when you are attending an online meeting or seminar, finishing a project, playing your favorite game, enjoying the best scene of a movie, or other such situations, causing you frustration. Many users pause or completely stop Windows updates in order to counter such situations. But have you ever wondered why Windows updates appear so frequently? Is it even okay to pause or stop Windows updates?

Well, Windows updates are not just about keeping things fresh and exciting; they actually serve some essential purposes. Let’s take a look at why Windows updates occur so frequently.

Table of Contents

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5 Introducing security patches

Updates help secure your system with the latest security definitions

Screenshot of Windows Security Updates history

Unlike some other operating systems, Windows doesn’t restrict you to only installing apps from the official Microsoft Store. In fact, most Windows users rely heavily on third-party Windows apps for work and leisure. This makes Windows OS quite vulnerable to online threats, as cyber-criminals often attempt to lure users into downloading malicious apps to exploit the OS’s weaknesses. However, with frequent updates, Microsoft brings patches to fix the OS’s vulnerabilities by addressing loopholes and security gaps.

To help detect a security fault in the OS, Microsoft gathers information from the user base of millions of users who send crash reports and telemetry data. As soon as a common vulnerability is identified, Microsoft releases a patch for it, generally through Patch Tuesday updates, preventing attackers from taking further advantage of the security flaw. So, even if you decide to pause the Windows updates, I would advise you to at least install the security patches to help maintain the safe operation of your PC.

4 Fixing bugs from previous versions

Updates bring fixes to unexpected errors

Screenshot of Windows 11 Settings showing the option to fix problems with a PC using Windows Update

Windows OS is vast, and due to its open nature and millions of users on devices from various manufacturers, it is impossible for it to be free of bugs. Not every new feature or design change may work perfectly for some manufacturers, and sometimes not at all for others. For example, recently some apps stopped working on a few devices when updated to Windows 11 24H2.

To counter these unexpected errors that affect system performance, app functionality, or user experience, Microsoft regularly introduces fixes through updates. In fact, bugs are one of the main reasons why Microsoft updates occur so frequently.

Most of the bugs are detected by Windows Insiders, and many are reported by regular users. If you are frequently facing problems with a particular Windows feature or setting, such as Wi-Fi not connecting or even system crashes, it is best to update Windows and the issue may actually be fixed.

3 Delivering new features

Updates enhance Windows usability by introducing new features

Source: Microsoft

Windows updates are also the medium to introduce new functionalities and enhancements to the OS. Unlike some other major operating systems, Microsoft doesn’t release a brand-new version of Windows every year. Instead, it continues enhancing the current Windows version’s usability by introducing new features through regular updates. For example, with the latest Windows 11 24H2 feature update, Microsoft introduced a new Start Menu linked with the Phone Link app, improvements for Microsoft Copilot, new File Explorer features, and more.

Rather than waiting for a new OS, you can access the latest innovations and improvements by updating to the latest Windows version whenever one becomes available.

2 Updating system drivers

Windows updates ensure drivers stay up to date

Drivers are the bridge between the OS and the PC’s hardware. Outdated drivers can cause hardware compatibility issues, reduce performance, or even result in system crashes. It is imperative to frequently update Windows to ensure the smooth functioning of your system’s essential hardware components, such as Wi-Fi cards, graphics cards, Bluetooth cards, printers, and more. Microsoft works closely with hardware manufacturers to ease the driver update process by conveniently allowing Windows 10 and 11 users to update their drivers through Windows updates.

If you heavily rely on external hardware for your work or entertainment, Windows updates become even more essential. Rather than pausing or skipping them, you should regularly update Windows so that your system doesn’t lack hardware optimization.

1 Improving performance and compatibility

Updates enhance Windows’ overall operation

A Windows 11 laptop displaying the update history in the Settings app

Windows regularly brings performance and compatibility improvements through updates. Microsoft constantly tries to ensure that the OS works better and better on all newer and older devices. In order to achieve that goal, it introduces changes in the OS’s core code and many other sorts of improvements via updates. Microsoft made a similar change through the latest Windows 11 24H2 update, in which some of the core kernel code was rewritten in the Rust programming language to make Windows 11 faster and less prone to bugs.

Windows updates also ensure that the OS remains compatible with the latest hardware and software. For instance, whenever a new game is released with some of the latest peripherals, updating Windows will ensure that the OS is compatible with the new game and the peripherals. The same occurs when a new file format is introduced.

Windows updates: Yay or nay?

As you can see, there are a few genuinely meaningful reasons why Windows OS requires constant updates. I know they can sometimes feel intrusive and annoying, but if you want to keep your PC running optimally, securely, bug-free, and compatible with all the latest that your system needs, updates are essential.

Instead of updating Windows right away when the updates become available, you can schedule them if you prefer. For example, you could set a day of the week or month dedicated solely to performing Windows updates. This way, you won’t have to compromise your workflow and productivity, and your PC will still be able to stay current. So, the next time you see a Windows update notification, instead of seeing it as an inconvenience, you can embrace it as an opportunity to make your PC better.