How to run Windows Updates from Command Line in Windows 11

Windows Updates can be run from PowerShell and Command Prompt in Windows 11/10. In this article, we will be checking out how to do it. Windows Update is one of the most highlighted features of Windows. Windows is offered to the customers as a service rather than a product. Under the scenario of Software as a Service, this led to the Windows Updates on Windows 11/10 being on by default and without an option for anyone to disable it.

While some criticized Microsoft’s move, ultimately, this is a step towards the customer’s greater good. Windows Update helps users stay secure against all kinds of threats and provides them with the latest and greatest from Microsoft. So, for those who appreciate this service, today, we are going to talk about another way to run these updates.

Run Windows Updates from Command Line

The following methods will be carried out to run Windows Update from Command Line on Windows 11/10-

1. Using Windows Powershell.
2. Using Command Prompt.

1] Run Windows Update using Windows Powershell

Running Windows Updates on Windows Powershell will require you to Install the Windows Update module manually, Get Windows Updates downloaded and Install Windows Updates. And for this, open Windows Powershell by searching for Powershell in the Cortana search box and run it with Administrator level privileges.

Install the PSWindowsUpdate Module

Type in,

Install-Module PSWindowsUpdate

to install the Windows Update module for Windows Powershell.

Check for Updates

After that,

Get-WindowsUpdate

to connect to the Windows Update servers and download the updates if found.

Install Updates

Finally, type in,

Install-WindowsUpdate

to install the Windows Updates downloaded on your computer.

Check for Microsoft Updates

Add-WUServiceManager -MicrosoftUpdate

Install specific updates only

Get-WindowsUpdate -KBArticleID "KB1234567" -Install

Hide specific Update

Install-WindowsUpdate -NotKBArticle "KB1234567" -AcceptAll

Skip Updates belonging to specific categories

Install-WindowsUpdate -NotCategory "Drivers","FeaturePacks" -AcceptAll

Related: Command-line switches to deploy Microsoft software Update packages

2] Run Windows Update using Command Prompt

Command Prompt on Windows Operating Systems exists since a very long time whereas Windows Powershell is comparatively new. Hence, it has similar capabilities to run Windows Updates, but the highlighting point here is that you do not need to download any module for Windows Updates.

First, open Command Prompt by searching for cmd in the Cortana search box and run it with Administrator level privileges.

Click on Yes for the UAC Prompt that you get.

Finally, type in the following commands and hit the Enter key in order to perform the respective operations,

Start checking for updates:

UsoClient StartScan

Start downloading Updates:

UsoClient StartDownload

Start installing the downloaded updates:

UsoClient StartInstall

Restart your device after installing the updates:

UsoClient RestartDevice

Check, Download and Install Updates:

UsoClient ScanInstallWait

It is worth noting that, the Command Prompt commands mentioned above are just meant for Windows 11/10 only.

How to enable the Windows Update service in Windows 11?

If the Windows Update service is disabled or is set to run manually, then you can enable the Windows Update service in Windows 11/10 using the following steps:

1. Type services in the Search box and use Enter key
2. In the Services window, double-click on Windows Update service to open its Properties
3. In the Properties window, set the Startup type to Automatic
4. Press the Start button to run the service
5. Press Apply button and OK button to save the changes.

How do I know if Windows Update is installed in Command Prompt?

If you want to check the history of installed security updates or critical updates in Command Prompt on Windows 11/10, then first open the elevated Command Prompt window and execute wmic qfe list command. This will show the update description, update ID (or Hotfix ID), Installed by, Installed On, etc., information. Here, do note that not all Windows Updates are visible. So, it is better to access the Update history section in the Settings app of Windows 11/10 to see all the installed updates.

Related read: How to Update Drivers using Command Prompt.

Hope you find this post useful.