1803: Is Windows Update automatically checking for updates?

Bree · 09 May 2018

VBF said:

I believe that Defender Definition updates are the same and that Flash is also updated every 4 hours. As you mentioned above, these updates will occur whether or not the Network / WiFi is metered.

Defender makes its own checks for updates, separately from windows update, so it can update its definitions more frequently than the windows update schedule. Flash is only updated through windows update.

My experiments have shown that Definitions updates are blocked by a metered connection, while Flash updates and updates for the Antimalware platform will download over a metered connection. You can see in this screenshot that the Flash update has already downloaded over a metered connection, but the definition update won't until the 'Download' button is clicked.

1803: Is Windows Update automatically checking for updates?-windows-update-1803.png

Personally, I would have thought that definition updates were fairly essential 'for the smooth running of windows', but apparently Microsoft doesn't agree.

legacy7955 · 09 May 2018

Personally, I would have thought that definition updates were fairly essential 'for the smooth running of windows', but apparently Microsoft doesn't agree.

You do have the box still checked that says "Give me updates for other MS products when I update Windows"?

I've seen cumulative updates and feature updates change things like this for no obvious reason, and it is very confusing and
can cause problems too. Recheck and post here with a follow up. Thanks

bo elam · 09 May 2018

Eddie Doc said:

Previously, in version 1709, Windows Update would check for updates every time I turned on my pc. Since it was upgraded to version 1803 it seems to have stopped doing that..

Hi Eddie, dont worry, there is nothing wrong. I had same question as you after installing 1803, but soon figured out Windows updates checking for updates automatically has a new pattern. You might want to read this reply, and the ones immediately before.
Reset Windows Update in Windows 10 - Page 23 - | Windows 10 Tutorials

So, anyway, do this, dont check for updates manually and after about 24 hours after last checking for updates, reboot the computer or cold start it, and the machine will check for updates on its own. After I wrote in the thread I linked I saw WU checking for updates even about an hour before 24 hours had gone bye. So, its about 24 hours and its done when you reboot or cold start. If the 24 hours go by and you dont reboot, the machine wont check automatically.

Also, when I discovered that WU was not checking automatically every time I rebooted or started the laptop, I turned on Windows defender (I dont use AV) to see the behavior. Windows defender updated successfully but the settings page would not take that update as a check for updates, even though, the updates appeared in Settings as having been done.

Bo

VBF · 10 May 2018

Bree said:

Defender makes its own checks for updates, separately from windows update, so it can update its definitions more frequently than the windows update schedule. Flash is only updated through windows update.

My experiments have shown that Definitions updates are blocked by a metered connection, while Flash updates and updates for the Antimalware platform will download over a metered connection. You can see in this screenshot that the Flash update has already downloaded over a metered connection, but the definition update won't until the 'Download' button is clicked.

Personally, I would have thought that definition updates were fairly essential 'for the smooth running of windows', but apparently Microsoft doesn't agree.

@Bree OK - I' see what you mean - I hadn't realised that Defender checked for updates separately but yes I agree with your thought about what is and what isn't essential. Very odd these MS people

CountMike · 10 May 2018

This is how I have it set and WU only warns of an update being available:

1803: Is Windows Update automatically checking for updates?-image.png

Bree · 10 May 2018

CountMike said:

This is how I have it set and WU only warns of an update being available:

Two things in your screenshot set you apart from the OP. You have the 'Pause updates' option while the OP's screenshot in post #1 doesn't. This shows that you have Pro and they have Home.

The second is the '*some settings are managed by your organization' message. This says that one or more group policies are in place that modify windows update's behaviour, either that or some registry settings have been added that have the same effect. Clicking 'View configured update policies' would tell you what they are.

CountMike · 10 May 2018

Bree said:

Two things in your screenshot set you apart from the OP. You have the 'Pause updates' option while the OP doesn't - showing that you have Pro and they have Home.

The second is the '*some settings are managed by your organization' message. This says that one or more group policies are in place that modify windows update's behaviour, either that or some registry settings have been added that have the same effect. Clicking 'View configured update policies' would tell you what they are.

Yes, I used old Notify only registry trick at very beginning of W10 and it stuck with me ever since.

VBF · 10 May 2018

CountMike said:

Yes, I used old Notify only registry trick at very beginning of W10 and it stuck with me ever since.

Me too - handy isn't it? :)

Bree · 10 May 2018

CountMike said:

Yes, I used old Notify only registry trick at very beginning of W10 and it stuck with me ever since.

I use Brink as my 'notification' and check for update as soon as there's a new one - hence I never give the automatic update a chance to show if it's working

CountMike · 10 May 2018

VBF said:

Me too - handy isn't it? :)

I check for updates at least couple of times a day. 17666 got me surprised but I was able to clean system and back it up before starting update manually.