Even though Windows 10 and 11 have automatic updates, if you want the latest security updates and bug fixes to fully download and install, you’ll need to leave your computer powered up and connected to the Internet for six to 8 hours.
David Guyer, a program manager for Microsoft, said, “What we found is that devices that don’t meet a certain amount of connected time are very unlikely to successfully update. Specifically, data shows that devices need a minimum of two continuous connected hours, and six total connected hours after an update is released to reliably update. This allows for a successful download and background installations that are able to restart or resume once a device is active and connected.”
While you might not notice updates being installed in the background, something is happening. Guyer said research shows that 50% of devices running an unsupported version of Windows 10 had not met the minimum connection time and 25% of devices missing the latest security updates, also did not meet the connection time.
Since many of us tend to power our home and work devices down when we aren’t using them, Guyer suggests leaving devices on some of the time so they can finish completely updating.
Does it matter if they go into sleep or hibernate mode when on, will they still update?