Windows Patch Tuesday: Install Updates Safely (and Undo a Bad One)

Microsoft releases security updates on the second Tuesday of every month. October 2026's arrives October 13 and also fixes September's Excel cut-and-paste bug and a Windows Backup issue. Here's how to install it and roll back if something breaks.

1. Install

Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates > Download and install all. Restart when asked.

Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates

2. See what installed

Settings > Windows Update > Update history lists every update by KB number.

Windows Update > Update history

3. Something broke? Uninstall the update

Update history > Uninstall updates, pick the newest KB and uninstall. Then pause updates until Microsoft fixes it.

Update history > Uninstall updates

4. Pause for a week

Settings > Windows Update > Pause updates for 1 week. Don't stay paused long: you miss security fixes.

Windows Update > Pause for 1 week

FAQ

When is Patch Tuesday?

The second Tuesday of each month, around 10 AM Pacific.

Should I wait a few days before installing?

For a home PC, install promptly: security fixes matter more than the small risk of a bug. Businesses often test for a few days first.