How to Install Updates Safely on Your Windows PC or Mac

A window pops up asking you to "update now," or you've heard that keeping your computer updated matters but you're not sure why — or how. Maybe you've also seen a scary pop-up claiming to be an "urgent update" and wondered if it was real. All of that is normal to wonder about.

Here's the reassuring part: you can install updates safely once you know where to look, and it's one of the best things you can do to keep your Windows PC or Mac running well and harder for scammers to break into.

This guide walks you through checking for updates safely on Windows and on a Mac, turning updates on so you don't have to remember, and telling a real update apart from a fake one.

Why installing updates safely matters

An update is a fix that the maker of your computer's software sends out. Some updates add new features. Many quietly close "security holes" — weaknesses in the software that scammers and viruses can use to sneak in. Installing updates regularly means fewer of those open doors are left unlocked.

Updates work best as one layer of protection, not the only one. PorchswingProtect is made for seniors and works quietly in the background on Windows and Mac computers, watching for viruses, phishing sites, and scary pop-ups, with a real US-based Porchswing person you can call if something looks wrong. It's a companion to keeping your computer updated, not a replacement for it.

How to check for updates on Windows

The exact screen looks a little different depending on your version of Windows.

If you have Windows 11:

1. Click the Start button, then click Settings (it looks like a gear).
2. Click Windows Update in the list on the left.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. If updates appear, click Download & install.
5. If asked to restart, save any open work first, then restart when it's convenient for you.

If you have Windows 10:

1. Click the Start button, then click Settings.
2. Click Update & Security, then Windows Update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. If updates appear, click Download & install.
5. Restart when prompted, once you've saved anything you were working on.

How to check for updates on a Mac

1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Click System Settings.
3. Click General in the list on the left (you may need to scroll down).
4. Click Software Update.
5. If an update is available, click Update Now and enter your Mac's password if it asks.

Turn on automatic updates so you don't have to remember

Both Windows and Mac computers can install most updates on their own, in the background, so you don't have to think about it. On the same Windows Update or Software Update screen you used above, look for an option related to automatic updates and make sure it's switched on. That way, updates are more likely to already be installed the next time you check.

Even with automatic updates on, it's still worth checking every so often, since some updates wait for you to click "Restart" or "Install Now" before they finish.

How to tell a real update message from a scam pop-up

This is the part that trips people up, because scammers know updates are trustworthy and imitate them on purpose. A few reliable differences:

• A real update comes from inside your computer's own Settings — the screens above — never from a website or an email link.
• A real update never plays a loud siren, shows a countdown clock, or tells you to call a phone number.
• A real update never asks for payment, a gift card, or remote access to your computer before it will "finish."

If a browser window pops up saying your software is out of date or your computer is at risk, don't click anything inside it. Close that browser window entirely, then check for real updates using the steps above instead.

What to do if you're stuck

If you don't see an update screen that matches these steps, an update won't finish installing, or you're just not sure whether something on your screen is real, that's a good moment to ask for help rather than guess. Porchswing can walk you through it in your home or remotely, so you're never doing this alone.

If you want quiet protection on your Windows or Mac computer — with a real Porchswing person to call — learn about PorchswingProtect. Or call us at (916) 521-0065 and we'll help you set it up.

Common questions

Will installing updates delete my files or photos?

No. Updates change the software that runs your computer, not your personal files or photos. It's still smart to save and close anything you're working on before you restart, since unsaved work in an open program can be lost during a restart.

How often should I check for updates?

Once a week is plenty if automatic updates are turned on. If you're not sure they're on, check manually using the steps above, then check again in a few weeks.

What if the update seems to take a long time?

That's normal, especially for a bigger update. Let it run and avoid turning your computer off in the middle. If it seems stuck for more than an hour, that's a good time to call for help.