Updating your desktop computer or laptop is crucial to avoid possible viruses and other attacks capable of stealing your personal data. We explain how to do it.
For the life of a computer, it is important to keep it up to date with the latest versions of your operating system. This will be valid both for a computer running Windows 7, 8, 10 or 11 and for your computer running under a version of macOS.
Updates can fix some issues present in your PC. Also, they are very useful for keeping the antivirus natively present in the computer up to date and thus keeping your computer away from any risk of infection by malware. Updating your system, however, will depend on your device. If the method for updating a computer running Windows remains quite similar depending on the version, it will be different if you have an Apple device. So let’s take a quick look at the different methods for updating a computer.
Update a Windows 10 PC
Although Windows version 11 has been released, Windows 10 is still the most widely used version in the world today. To date, it is a version that is still perfectly up to date and will be for a few more years. To update your PC under Windows 10, different options are available to you. Either you have activated automatic updates, and in this case your computer will decide for itself when to install the latest version of your OS. Either you have to do it manually, and in this case you will have to go to the Windows settings. So go to “”Start”” > “”Settings”” > “”Update and Security”” > “”Windows Update”” and click “”Check for updates””. You will be able to check if you are on the latest version of the software. If your computer finds a new version, then you can decide to install it. Make sure, however, that you have a stable internet connection and enough space on your hard drive to install the update, which can sometimes be large.
Update a Windows 11 PC
Windows 11 is the latest version of Windows released at the end of 2021. It is currently only offered to a certain number of lucky people who can get it by upgrading their PC to Windows 10 free. But it is gradually being deployed in all homes with a device running Windows 10.
For the update of your new Windows 11 PC, the method will be very similar to that for a PC under Windows 10. It must be said that the differences between the two versions remain minimal. To do this, you can either let your computer manage updates automatically like on Windows 10, or do everything manually. To do this, also go to “”Start”” > “”Settings”” > “”Windows Update”” and select “”Check for updates””. Here too, your PC will scan to find out if there is a new version, which you are free to install or not.
Update your PC to Windows 8
To update your PC under Windows 8, there is a small peculiarity. You should know that Windows 8 is no longer supported by Microsoft. Which means it’s a version that no longer receives updates. But you still have the option of upgrading to version 8.1 of Windows, which is supported until January 2023. To do this, you will have to go to the Microsoft site directly, to the Windows 8.1 download page , as the Store is no longer accessible on Windows 8. Once downloaded, the update will install in the background on your PC.
Once upgraded to Windows 8.1, the update method will be similar to the method for other Windows versions. You will have to place your cursor in the lower right corner of your desktop, click on “”Settings”” > “”Change PC settings”” > “”Windows Update”” (in the menu on the left) and select “”Search now updates “”.
Update your Windows 7 PC
The method for updating a Windows 7 PC is the same as for other versions, you have to go to Settings, then Windows Update and search for updates. The problem being that like Windows 8, version 7 of Microsoft’s OS is no longer supported since January 2020. It is therefore no longer possible to obtain updates for your computer under Windows 7 unless upgrade to a newer version of Windows.
You have the option to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 for free if you have a genuine version of your OS. To do this, you will need to download the Windows installation tool offered by Microsoft on your Windows 7 device. Launch the software and select the “”Upgrade this PC now”” option. The wizard will then start downloading and installing a new version of Windows, so you can always take advantage of security updates.
Update a Mac
Although it is a totally different OS, the method for updating a computer running macOS is ultimately not very different than for a Windows PC. To keep your Mac up to date, you will need to go to your computer’s settings. To do this, click on the Apple in the corner of your screen and choose “System Preferences”. From here, you can then choose “Software Update” and click “Update” or “Upgrade Now”. The first option keeps the current version of your macOS up to date, while the “”Upgrade”” option installs a completely new major version of macOS with another name, such as macOS Monterey.
In any case, in the update settings, you will only have updates that will be compatible with your Mac. So you might not see the option to upgrade your device. One of the advantages of Macs is that, from this update window, you will also be able to see the updates available for all the native applications of your Mac such as Safari, Messages, Music or FaceTime.