What is the Right Order to Install – New Version of Win10 and Monthly Updates

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I have yet to install version 21H1 for my Windows 10 Pro Desktop and I haven’t done any Windows Updates since the Fall (when I moved to Win10 Pro).

When wanting to update/install a New version of Windows and update/install Monthly Windows Updates on the same day.  Is there a correct recommend order to do these two types of updates?

I am worried that if I install Monthly Windows Updates before installing new Windows Version update then those same Monthly Updates will reappear in my WU list,  BUT now as a  21H2 version of the just installed Monthly Updates(if update name even includes a date).

I don’t want to cause any Update installing issue by installing 21H1 version of Monthly Updates and having to install same Updates but as there 21H2 version of themselves.  Caused by me not knowing which to install first, the Monthly Windows Updates or the New Windows Version.

 

 

*I have group policy set to 2

*Windows updates for my 2014 Custom Built PC with Win 10 Pro Intel i7-5820K 3.30Ghz on Version 21H1 10.0.19043 Build 19043

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I would do the update to 21H2 first.  Since you have group policy set to ask about updates instead of automatically updating them, after you update to 21H2 wait a while up to a few days and see what updates are offered.  Pressing the “check for updates” button is not recommended here.  I would also suggest you set the policy that disables “driver” updates.

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Agreed, install 21H2 and let the dust settle by leaving the machine on for a few hours afterwards.

If you don’t want to wait for Windows Update to catch up, run WuMgr to see what updates are available / hide ones you don’t want.

cheers, Paul

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Ok, but..How do I install 21H2 first when there’s Monthly Windows Updates currently seen on the WU List waiting to download ??

Please give detailed baby steps for a not tech savvy person on how to separate 21H2 Update from the Monthly Updates.

 

I have never installed a New version of Windows, since I only have had Win 10 Pro for a few months(this Fall).

 

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If you go to settings gear, then click update & security, then click windows update.  Is there an install button that applies ONLY to installing a “feature update” (that is what they call 21h2)?  If there is, click that.  If not, there is another way to update windows to the current feature update.  Go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 and click the appropriate install buttons.  It may have to download the full installer, 4GB or so, but most people are on fast internet and this should be no issue.

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TheFamilyIT wrote:

Ok, but..How do I install 21H2 first

Use WuMgr. It lets you select a single update.
Or download it from the MS catalog. https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Home.aspx

cheers, Paul

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A) I clicked on the MS catalog and entered in search box 21H2 and feature update, but I don’t see 21H2 Feature Update come up in the list. How do you get 21H2 update to show in search results?..I don’t know how it’ll look like/what is it called in the catalog list. I assume you double click on just downloaded file to start installation.

A 2) Could another similar option would be to go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 and clicking blue”Update Now”  Button for November 2021 Update(I’m assuming that’s 21H2) ??

B)  Windows won’t automatically install the Monthly Updates that are currently waiting for me to click download (since my group policy is set 2), no matter if I get 21H2 installed thru MS Catalog or thru Microsoft’s software download link as seen in A 2) ???

 

C) I’m confused…When you said previously, “If you don’t want to wait for Windows Update to catch up..”   Do you mean before downloading any other Windows Updates or Monthly Updates. I need to wait for my Win 10 Pro to change the names of the currently listed WU Updates to have 21H2 instead of 21H1 that are on the list (example: Update for Win 10 Version 21H2 for x64 based system)??

–I know before wanting to install 21H2 that I need to change group policy of TRV to 21H2

D) Could this be a 3rd option, if I Hide Current Monthly Updates and Hide Next Month’s Updates so that there’s no Monthly Updates listed in the WU queue. Then change Group Policy of TRV to 21H2.      Will that make Feature Update 21H2  appear in my WU List by itself ??… So that I can install 21H2 first then unhide Current Monthly Updates in order to install…

–Just to let you know, I’m off to bed now. ––

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TheFamilyIT wrote:

A 2) Could another similar option would be to go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 and clicking blue”Update Now” Button for November 2021 Update(I’m assuming that’s 21H2) ??

DO THIS!!!!!
If it asks what you want to save, choose “Apps/programs and data.”

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@pkcano  Please clarify that, Windows won’t automatically install the Monthly Updates that are currently waiting for me to click download (since my group policy is set 2),  when using Microsoft’s software download link as seen in A 2) to install 21H2  (as you said to do A 2) option ) ???

Please clarify that, I am right that before clicking Blue “Update Now” Button for November 2021 Update/21h2 I need to change group policy of TRV to 21H2 ?

Also, since I’ve been getting different steps on the order of which order to install 21H2 and Monthly Updates…… I’m curious..not trying to be difficult, is your only recommended option to follow is what I said in A 2)  ??

I just want to know all options that have easy & simple steps to follow for a Not Tech Savvy Person.

 

 

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Follow your own instructions quoted in my post above. That is the easiest way to upgrade to 21H1.

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Ok…so I DO need to change group policy of TRV to 21H2 BEFORE clicking Blue “Update Now”  Button from Microsoft’s download software link?

And I don’t need to worry about Windows automatically adding 21H2 Feature Update onto its WU List/queue ??

And it doesn’t matter if the Monthly Updates that have the OLD Windows Version 21H1 in it’s name and any other Updates that doesn’t come with 21H1 in its name that are also waiting for me to click downloaded ?

I just wait a few hours after 21H2 is done installing then Install March Monthly Updates, right ?

-I like to know what suppose to happen before I follow instructions. I can’t handle surprises

 

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You can change to 21H2 in Group Policy before you upgrade as an easy choice. But the upgrade should proceed either way and you can change it afterward.

The upgrade will include the March monthly updates – you don’t have to do anything else.

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Oh No !! But then How do I keep hidden the Updates (using wushowhide) that I don’t want to install like those Health Checks like the KB4023057 that March Updates have  when upgrading to 21H2  ????

I want to keep hiding those health checks updates that sneakily also start pushing Win 11. I want to have double insurance with hiding those Updates and using TRV setting.

So that I won’t become one of those recent stories of people waking up with Win 11 installed without permission and without changing any settings or never clicking “yes” install.

Also, I’ve been told a few times here that I should upgrade to 21H2 first then do the Monthly Updates.  Now I am confused.

 

 

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If you use the WUMGR utility, based on the info here https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/kb5003791-update-to-windows-10-version-21h2-by-using-an-enablement-package-8bc077be-18d7-4aac-81ce-6f6dad2cd384

an update called Feature Update to Windows 10, version 21H2 may be on the list.  WUMGR should let you pick to install ONLY that update.

Then reboot, wait an hour and try WUMGR again.  See if it has the March monthly update available.

Your computer will never be offered Windows 11 if it is kind of old, missing secure boot, etc.  If you provide some specs of your computer someone may be able to reassure you that Windows 11 will never be offered.

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What you have hidden is hidden. Thia will only upgrade you from 20H1 to 20H2.

If the Health checks show up again with the new version, the “2” setting will let you hide them again.

Just do the upgrade!!!!!!

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@pkcano I just finished upgrading to 21H2 & opened Windows Updates. Only to see NO March Updates and WU saying that I’m all updated !!

I Checked inside of wushowhide to see if my April 2022 Hidden Update and all other past Updates are listed. And NO Updates are listed as being currently hidden…Why is this ??

Where did the March Updates and Hidden Health Check Update that I hid go/disappear ??

I checked “View Update History” the only Updates I see installed are all with same date of Oct. 2021.  Which I’m assuming must be the last Updates that I installed right after  moving from Win 7 Pro to Win 10 Pro in the Fall.

*Reminder, I only updated my PC in the fall as part of the process of upgrading to Win 10 Pro.

Luckily Update History doesn’t show those Health Check Updated were installed. I hope I’m right about them not being installed.

None of my Group Policies Settings have changed. Example: policy Still set to 2

-What do I do next to get March Updates ?..just wait 1-2 days for Windows to search for Updates by itself (I know not to click “check for update”)… I don’t know what has happened after updating to 21H2.

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PKCano wrote:

The upgrade will include the March monthly updates – you don’t have to do anything else.

Yes, as I said, the March updates will be included. April updates won’t arrive till Tuesday.

TheFamilyIT wrote:

I Checked inside of wushowhide to see if my April 2022 Hidden Update and all other past Updates are listed. And NO Updates are listed as being currently hidden…Why is this ??

Where did the March Updates and Hidden Health Check Update that I hid go/disappear ??

The updates for 21H2 were included in the upgrade (as stated above). You can’t have hidden updates for 21H1 if you are on 21H2 – Duh! When the health checker is available for 20H2, it will show up in the queue and you can hide it.

TheFamilyIT wrote:

–What do I do next to get March Updates ?..just wait 1-2 days for Windows to search for Updates by itself (I know not to click “check for update”)… I don’t know what has happened after updating to 21H2.

You already have the March updates. April updates are coming in two days on April Patch Tuesday – wait for them and don’t install them right away. Wait for Susan’s go-ahead and DEFCON-3 or above.

Change the version to 21H2 in Group Policy.
And relax, it’s over for now! 🙂  🙂

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Huh? Confused since you told me earlier today (in your last reply) that the Update that I hid from WU List should stay hidden and if it didn’t after I upgraded to 21H2 that I can re-hide Update. Also, when I Click the Blue Button, “This will only upgrade you from 21H1 to 21H2.”

I hid a few days ago the April Update for Windows 10 Version 21H1 (KB40203057) that appeared before April Patch Tuesday.

So, how do I make sure KB40203057 Update didn’t install while I was upgrading to 21H2 ? And it didn’t get installed sneakily inside the Servicing Stack.

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Because you installed 21H2, not KB40203057. You just installed the upgrade. The upgrade included the March patches for 21H2. Forget about the patches for 21H1, you are NOT on that version any longer.
And you can’t have installed/hidden the April patches b/c they have not been issued yet. They won’t be released until Tuesday.
This is the last time I am going to post this.

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Ok, so during a future Windows Version Feature Update, what would I do if Current Monthly Updates does have Updates that I want keep Hidden ? Like how do I make sure certain Updates don’t get installed along with the next Windows Version Feature Update ?

Do you mean upgrade included March patches for 21H2? Since that’s my new Win Version not 20H2 ??  I just keep getting confused if it’s a misspelling when you mention Windows Version 20H1 when I started with 21H1 when I moved to Win 10 Pro. (if not misspelling, then i’m sorry..I’m not tech savvy enough to otherwise).

 

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PKCano,

I have a favor to ask – I need advice.

I just bought a new computer. Haven’t started it yet. It’s a Win10 Pro Lenovo Detachable.

This is my first Pro machine. I want to start it without an MS account – that is, on a local account. I want to install the Brave browser. I want to let it update, both Windows and Lenovo updates. I want to prevent it from upgrading to Win11.

After initial updates I want to limit further updates until I see the all clear on Ask Woody.

As a favor, and as an affirmation of your legendary status as an Ask Woody VIP, would you advise me on the steps to take to achieve my objectives?  Thanks in advance.

RamRod

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All the settings you need are in the Knowledge Base.
https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/comments-on-akb-2000016-guide-for-windows-update-settings-for-windows-10/

cheers, Paul

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RamRod wrote:

This is my first Pro machine. I want to start it without an MS account – that is, on a local account. I want to install the Brave browser. I want to let it update, both Windows and Lenovo updates. I want to prevent it from upgrading to Win11.

After initial updates I want to limit further updates until I see the all clear on Ask Woody.

Start up the computer OFFLINE (disconnected from your network). Without connections, you can Create a LOCAL Account. When it asks to go online to update the answer is NO – you can activate and update later.

Use the settings in AKB2000016 for Windows Update. Section 1 is General, Section 2 is for Home Edition but explains settings, Sections 3-5 pertain to Win10 Pro. Pay particular attention to Group Policy settings for TargetReleaseVersion (TRV) and ProductVersion. Also see AKB6000005 for more info on staying on Win10. If you set the “2” (notify download/install) in Group Policy, it will keep the updates from downloading and installing till you click the “Download” button. NEVER click “Check for updates.”

Go through the rest on the settings in the Settings App and the Control Panel to achieve the privacy you require. Once the settings are done, go ONLINE and update, hiding the updates you don’t want with wushowhide.diagcab (or use third-party WUMgr). Activation should be automatic.

Update and install the rest of the Apps.

1 user thanked author for this post.

RamRod

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Thank you for your kind instructions. I’ll let you know how it proceeds.

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View Update History can provide an incomplete picture.

Check Installed Updates to see what has been installed on your system.

On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
offline▸ Win10Pro 2004.19041.572 x64 i3-3220 RAM8GB HDD Firefox83.0b3 WindowsDefender
offline▸ Acer TravelMate P215-52 RAM8GB Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1265 x64 i5-10210U SSD Firefox106.0 MicrosoftDefender
online▸ Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1992 x64 i5-9400 RAM16GB HDD Firefox116.0b3 MicrosoftDefender

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Where do I find “Installed Updates” Window/Page ??

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In Windows Update, under “View Update History.” At the top of the page click on “Uninstall updates” and it will take you to the list.

Or, in Control Panel, under Programs and Features click on “View installed updates”

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An observation,When looking at “Installed Updates”, I find it confusing for average Users, when I see 21H2 Installed Date Oct. 2021 and not today’s date (which is when I installed it on).   Also, confusing for Users when I see 20H2 installed today. Plus, no record of 21H1 being installed (which was what my Win 10 Pro started what with).

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There remains one issue, can we make sure you computer will not be offered Windows 11?  What CPU does it have – that is probably the strictest requirement.  Type system in the start menu and run “system information”, around the 10th line should be processor.

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TheFamilyIT wrote:

I need to wait for my Win 10 Pro to change the names of the currently listed WU Updates to have 21H2 instead of 21H1

You don’t need to wait.
Change ‘target release version’ in GPEdit to Windows 10 21H2 or use Gibson’s Incontrol and change to 21H2.
Run WUngr or Windows update and install 21H2 and the latest March updates. Do it before April 12 patch Tuesday.

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WUMgr may provide more complete and different update information:

https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/60002-guide-to-using-wumgr-for-windows-10-updates/

To view installed updates in WUMgr:

• Check for updates using WUmgr.
• Select Installed Updates in WUMgr.

On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
offline▸ Win10Pro 2004.19041.572 x64 i3-3220 RAM8GB HDD Firefox83.0b3 WindowsDefender
offline▸ Acer TravelMate P215-52 RAM8GB Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1265 x64 i5-10210U SSD Firefox106.0 MicrosoftDefender
online▸ Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1992 x64 i5-9400 RAM16GB HDD Firefox116.0b3 MicrosoftDefender

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