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To install Windows updates on Windows Server, open Settings > Windows Update (Windows Server 2025) or Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update (2019 and 2022) and select Check for updates. On any version, including Server Core, run SConfig in an admin PowerShell window, choose 6 (Install updates), then 1 for all quality updates and A to install them. Restart when asked and repeat until nothing is left.

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Before you start

  • Sign in as an administrator with Remote Desktop.
  • Updates often need a restart. Plan a short downtime for websites or game servers.
  • On a VPS, take a panel backup before large rounds of updates, so you can roll back.
  • Keep the VNC console handy in case the server takes long to come back after a restart.

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Which method should I use?

SConfig is the text menu built into Windows Server. On Server Core installations of Windows Server 2022 and later it starts automatically when you sign in (Microsoft Learn).

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How to install updates from Settings

1

Open Windows Update

Select Start > Settings > Windows Update.
2

Check for updates

Select Check for updates. Windows downloads and installs what it finds.
3

Restart

When asked, select Restart now. After the restart, check again until Windows says you’re up to date.

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How to install updates with SConfig

1

Open SConfig

Open PowerShell as administrator (select Start, type PowerShell, right-click Windows PowerShell and choose Run as administrator) and run:
On Server Core with Windows Server 2022 or 2025, SConfig is already open after you sign in.
2

Choose Install updates

Type 6 and press Enter.
3

Pick a category

Type 1 for All quality updates (monthly security and bug fixes) and press Enter. 2 searches only recommended quality updates.
4

Install

SConfig lists what it found. Type A to install all of them, S to pick one by number, or N to install none.
5

Restart

When the install finishes, choose option 13 (Restart the server) and confirm with Y if the updates need a restart. Sign in again and repeat until the search finds nothing.
Option 3 (Feature updates) doesn’t upgrade Windows Server to a newer version. Microsoft states that feature updates through Microsoft Update are only offered for Azure Local; upgrading Windows Server needs installation media (Microsoft Learn).

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How to set automatic updates with SConfig

Option 5 (Update setting) controls what Windows does on its own: For a game server or website, Download only with a regular manual install window gives you control over when restarts happen. Whatever you choose, install security updates at least once a month.

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How to check which updates are installed

The last lines show the most recent updates with their KB numbers and install dates. Get-ComputerInfo -Property OsHotFixes shows the same list (Microsoft Learn). If an update failed, the Windows Update log helps. Get-WindowsUpdateLog turns Windows Update’s trace files into a readable WindowsUpdate.log on your desktop (Get-WindowsUpdateLog):
Errors also appear in Event Viewer under Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > WindowsUpdateClient > Operational.

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How to install a single update manually

Download the .msu file for the KB number from the Microsoft Update Catalog, then run:
-PreventPending skips the install if Windows already has changes waiting for a restart. Restart afterwards if asked.
Don’t power off or force-restart the server while it is installing updates during a restart. Interrupting it can leave Windows unable to boot. If it seems stuck, watch progress in the VNC console and give it time.

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Frequently asked questions

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How long do Windows Server updates take?

It depends on how many updates are waiting and on disk speed. A freshly installed server can need several rounds and restarts. Monthly updates on a server that is kept current usually finish much faster.

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Is there a built-in PowerShell cmdlet to install Windows updates?

Microsoft’s documented options on Windows Server are Settings, SConfig and installing .msu packages with Add-WindowsPackage or DISM. SConfig is the simplest command-line way.

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Can I upgrade from Windows Server 2022 to 2025 with Windows Update?

No. Windows Update installs updates for your current version only. An in-place upgrade needs installation media, and on a VPS a fresh install of the newer version with a rebuild is often simpler.

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Windows Update keeps failing. What should I do?

Check free disk space first, then follow fix Windows Update stuck or failing.

VPS and dedicated server guides

Every guide in this section.

Fix Windows Update stuck or failing

When updates won’t install.

First steps on a new Windows server

What to do after setup.

Free up disk space

Make room for updates.

Repair Windows with SFC and DISM

Fix corrupted system files.
Checked against Microsoft Learn: SConfig, Windows Server Core servicing, Windows Server update troubleshooting and What’s new in Windows Server 2025 on 4 November 2026. Not tested on a live Windows server for this page; menu wording can differ slightly between versions.

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Last Updated: November 2026