How to Check Windows Update Command Line
In today’s fast-paced digital world, staying up-to-date with the latest software updates is crucial for maintaining the security and performance of your Windows system. While the graphical user interface (GUI) is the most common way to check for updates, some users prefer the convenience and efficiency of using the command line. In this article, we will explore how to check Windows update using the command line.
Using the ‘wusa’ Command
One of the most popular command-line tools for checking Windows updates is ‘wusa.exe’ (Windows Update Standalone Installer). This command-line utility allows you to perform various Windows Update-related tasks, including checking for updates. To use the ‘wusa’ command, follow these steps:
1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator. You can do this by searching for “cmd” in the Start menu, right-clicking on Command Prompt, and selecting “Run as administrator.”
2. Once the Command Prompt window is open, type the following command and press Enter:
“`
wusa.exe /getupdateinfo
“`
3. The command will display a list of available updates. You can then use additional ‘wusa’ commands to download and install these updates.
Using the ‘wupcl’ Command
Another command-line tool for checking Windows updates is ‘wupcl.exe’ (Windows Update PowerShell Command-Line). This tool is designed to work with PowerShell, which is a more powerful scripting language compared to Command Prompt. To use the ‘wupcl’ command, follow these steps:
1. Open PowerShell as an administrator. You can do this by searching for “PowerShell” in the Start menu, right-clicking on PowerShell, and selecting “Run as administrator.”
2. Once the PowerShell window is open, type the following command and press Enter:
“`
Get-WindowsUpdate
“`
3. The command will display a list of available updates. You can then use additional PowerShell commands to download and install these updates.
Using the ‘WindowsUpdate’ Module
For a more comprehensive approach, you can use the ‘WindowsUpdate’ module, which is a PowerShell module specifically designed for managing Windows updates. To use the ‘WindowsUpdate’ module, follow these steps:
1. Open PowerShell as an administrator.
2. Install the ‘WindowsUpdate’ module by typing the following command and pressing Enter:
“`
Install-Module -Name WindowsUpdate
“`
3. After the module is installed, you can use the following command to check for available updates:
“`
Get-WUInstall
“`
4. The command will display a list of available updates. You can then use additional commands to download and install these updates.
Conclusion
Checking for Windows updates using the command line can be a convenient and efficient way to manage your system’s updates. By using tools like ‘wusa.exe’, ‘wupcl.exe’, and the ‘WindowsUpdate’ module, you can stay informed about the latest updates and keep your system secure and up-to-date.
