How to Create a Check for updates in Windows Update shortcut in Windows 10


Microsoft has made it easier for Windows Update to keep Windows 10 updated by automatically downloading and installing the latest features and improvements, drivers, and hotfixes released by Microsoft—and with fewer interruptions and restarts when you're using your PC the most. The latest updates will automatically download and install when they’re available. (Unless you’re on a metered connection, then updates won’t download until you manually check for updates.)

This tutorial will show you how to create or download a Check for updates shortcut that will open directly to Windows Update and automatically check for updates in Windows 10.


Contents

  • Option One: To Download a Check for updates Shortcut
  • Option Two: To Manually Create a Check for updates Shortcut



EXAMPLE: Checking for updates in Windows Update
Create Check for updates in Windows Update shortcut in Windows 10-check_for_updates.png





OPTION ONE

To Download a Check for updates Shortcut


1 Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .zip file below.

Check_for_updates_shortcut.zip

Download

2 Save the .zip file to your desktop.

3 Unblock the .zip file..

4 Open the .zip file, and extract (drag and drop) the shortcut to your desktop.

5 You can Pin to Taskbar, Pin to Start, add to All apps, add to Quick Launch, assign a keyboard shortcut to, or move this shortcut to where you like for easy use.

6 When finished, you can delete the downloaded .zip file if you like.






OPTION TWO

To Manually Create a Check for updates Shortcut


1 Right click or press and hold on an empty area on your desktop, and click/tap on New and Shortcut.

2 Copy and paste the path below into the location area, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

%windir%\explorer.exe ms-settings:windowsupdate-action

Create Check for updates in Windows Update shortcut in Windows 10-check_for_updates_shortcut-1.png

3 Type Check for updates for the name, and click/tap on the Finish button. (see screenshot below)

You could name this shortcut anything you would like though.

Create Check for updates in Windows Update shortcut in Windows 10-check_for_updates_shortcut-2.png

4 Right click or press and hold on the new Check for updates shortcut, and click/tap on Properties.

5 Click/tap on the Shortcut tab, then click/tap on the Change Icon button. (see screenshot below)

Create Check for updates in Windows Update shortcut in Windows 10-check_for_updates_shortcut-3.png

6 In the line under "Look for icons in this file", copy and paste the location below, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

%windir%\System32\shell32.dll

Create Check for updates in Windows Update shortcut in Windows 10-check_for_updates_shortcut-4.png

7 Select the icon highlighted in blue above, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot above)

You could use any icon that you would like instead though.


8 Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 5)

9 You can Pin to Taskbar, Pin to Start, add to All apps, add to Quick Launch, assign a keyboard shortcut to, or move this shortcut to where you like for easy use.


That's it,
Shawn


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