Should You Always Update Windows? [Pros and Cons]

Millions of computers run Windows 10 and 11, and each one receives regular updates from Microsoft, unless the user has made unofficial changes to prevent this. The goal is to keep these systems running smoothly by fixing bits of bad code and adding new features.

The major updates are part of the cat-and-mouse game Windows plays with hackers, finding new exploits and quickly closing them to protect users’ security.

But if updates come out every few weeks, is it really necessary to install them all?

In most cases, yes. However, there are also disadvantages to updating Windows that even Microsoft does not consider.

How does Windows Update work?

Windows Update is a hard-coded feature within the operating system that can be found under Update and security menu of Institutions.

On Windows 10, automatic updates are enabled by default, which means that updates are downloaded and installed in the background. Checks are performed once a day.

You can configure the settings to specify when updates are installed, such as during specific hours, or you can choose to defer updates for a short period of time. However, there is no option to disable them completely.

Many updates require you to restart your PC to complete the process. This also happens automatically, but it is best to do this outside of active hours so as not to disrupt important tasks.

What are the benefits of updating Windows?

There are a number of obvious and not so obvious benefits to updating Windows as soon as updates become available.

• Enhanced security – Microsoft focuses on security before adding new features to its updates. Staying up to date ensures that your system is protected from newly discovered vulnerabilities.
• Improved performance – Windows is a huge operating system, so developers are always finding little bugs to fix and things to tweak to improve performance. On their own, these might not even be noticeable. However, Windows 10 is now much more efficient than it was at launch.
• Compatibility – For a computer to run smoothly, everything has to evolve together. If you introduce new hardware but are stuck on an outdated version of Windows, you are not getting the most out of it. In fact, it may not be compatible at all. Each new update brings greater compatibility with the latest hardware.
• New Features – It’s not all about fixing things and security. Microsoft occasionally introduces completely new features. For example, Windows Game Mode was introduced in an update and wasn’t a standard feature at launch. If you don’t update Windows, you could be missing out on something you might find useful.

What are the disadvantages of updating Windows?

Despite the obvious benefits, updating Windows isn’t always better. Some of the things that make updating a good idea can also make it a bad idea for some users.

• Compatibility issues – While updates help with compatibility with new hardware, they can sometimes cause problems for older hardware or devices with outdated drivers. For example, keyboards may no longer be recognized, or the screen may start flickering because your graphics card drivers need to be updated.
• Reduced performance – Microsoft is always making adjustments to improve efficiency, but this does not take into account the introduction of new features that take up more system resources. If your computer is old, it may struggle or even become slower after Windows updates.
• Unwanted features – Not everyone wants new features. They can be annoying and intrusive. It can also take time to learn where everything is when changing settings, the Control Panel, and aspects of the interface.
• It’s disruptive – If your computer is set up to perform important tasks or you have deadlines to meet at school or work, updates can be disruptive, especially if they force you to reboot. Updates can also take too long.
• Update failed – The disruption becomes an even bigger problem when it fails, causes a reboot loop, and corrupts Windows update system files. While this isn’t a common risk, it might not be something you’re willing to take if you want your PC to work.

Should I upgrade to Windows 11?

Microsoft still supports Windows 10 and continues to release updates to keep it secure. Therefore, there is no immediate reason to upgrade to Windows 11 if you are comfortable with Windows 10.

To upgrade to Windows 11, your PC must meet the new requirements. You should also repair any system damage before upgrading to prevent corruption.

Tune your PC before updating Windows

To reduce the risk of failed updates, reduced performance, and compatibility issues, it’s best to run an optimization program to ensure your PC is in optimal condition.

1. Download and install Fortect on your computer.
2. Run a scan at startup to find all Windows issues.
3. Click Start repair (after product activation) to repair everything or select a section to repair
4. Wait for the process to complete and restart your PC.

Fortect repairs damaged system files and registry, and removes unnecessary clutter, so your PC is in the best possible condition to safely update Windows.

If you have good hardware and your system is bug-free, it is generally better to update Windows than to leave it on an older version. If you do not update, your PC will be vulnerable to security threats and you will not get new features.