Check for Windows Updates

Three steps to keep Windows fast, stable, and secure. The original 2009 version of this guide recommended FileHippo Update Checker (later renamed AppManager) and the Secunia Online Scanner. Both are gone — FileHippo retired its updater, and Secunia’s consumer tools shut down years ago. Here is what still works.

1. Patch Windows and Microsoft products

Turn on automatic updates and verify nothing is pending. Reboot when prompted — pending restarts leave patches half-applied.

On every release that still talks to Microsoft’s update servers, also opt in to Microsoft Update (not just Windows Update). That channel delivers patches for Office, .NET, SQL Server, and other Microsoft products alongside the OS. You enable it once in Windows Update settings; the checkbox label varies slightly by version.

Windows 11 and Windows 10

• Windows 11: Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates
• Windows 10: Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update → Check for updates
• Microsoft Update: Advanced options → enable Receive updates for other Microsoft products (11) or Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows (10)

Windows 8.1 and Windows 8

• Windows 8.1: Settings → Change PC settings → Update and recovery → Windows Update → Check now
• Windows 8: Settings charm → Change PC settings → Windows Update → Check for updates now
• Microsoft Update: in the same Windows Update area, enable Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows

Both releases are past end of life, but the built-in Windows Update client can still reach Microsoft’s servers if you must keep one running.

Windows 7

• Control Panel → System and Security → Windows Update → Check for updates
• Microsoft Update: open Change settings (or click Find out more in the sidebar) and opt in to Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows

Windows 7 reached end of support in January 2020. If the built-in checker stalls, errors out (common code: 80072EFE), or never finishes, use Legacy Update instead — see below.

Windows Vista, XP, and earlier

Microsoft’s built-in Windows Update service no longer works reliably on these releases. You may see endless “checking for updates,” error 80072EFE, or no results at all. Use Legacy Update — a community-run replacement that restores the classic Windows Update website, installs the prerequisite patches your system lacks, and lets you download security updates, optional updates, and drivers.

• Install from legacyupdate.net and run Install Updates from the site or the Start menu entry it creates.
• Legacy Update also restores Windows Product Activation online on XP, Server 2003, and Vista (a legitimate product key is still required).

These OS versions are long past end of life. Use them only when you must — for old hardware, software compatibility, or a sandboxed lab — and keep them off the public internet when possible.

Microsoft 365 / Office

On currently supported Windows releases, Office updates ride the same Microsoft Update channel once you opt in above. Otherwise install updates from any in-app update prompt.

2. Update third-party programs

FileHippo no longer maintains an update checker. Practical replacements:

• winget — built into Windows 10 and 11; run winget upgrade to see what is outdated, or winget upgrade --all to install available updates
• Patch My PC Home Updater — free scanner and installer, closest in spirit to what FileHippo offered
• Ninite — pick your common apps once and re-run the installer periodically to refresh them

Pay special attention to browsers, PDF readers, and messaging apps — those are the programs attackers probe after the OS itself.

3. Remove or replace insecure software

Secunia’s online scanner and Personal Software Inspector (PSI) were discontinued in 2018. There is no direct one-click replacement for home users, but the same goal is reachable:

• Run Patch My PC or winget after installing new software — anything still outdated deserves attention
• Uninstall programs you no longer use (Settings → Apps → Installed apps)
• Retire end-of-life runtimes (old Java, Silverlight, abandoned plugins) instead of trying to patch them forever
• Keep your browser on the current stable release and remove extensions you do not need

Staying current is maintenance, not a one-time fix. Revisit this checklist after major installs and at least once a quarter on family PCs.