Smaller and faster Windows 11 updates are on the way as Microsoft switches to downloading just what you need and none of what you don't

SoftwareOperating SystemsWindowsSmaller and faster Windows 11 updates are on the way as Microsoft switches to downloading just what you need and none of what you don’tWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Future)

A photo of the Windows update menu, showing that I�m all up to date

Windows 11 version 24H2 has been available in the Windows Insider program for a while now but is scheduled for a main release at some point towards the end of this year.Microsoft says that as part of the update, it’s introducing update features and security enhancements through smaller, incremental download packages that only contain the changes since the previous update.

Essentially, up until now Windows updates have tended to grow in size, with a download package that contains files you may not necessarily need (viaWindows Latest). Provided you’ve been incremental updating your system (as you really should, to maintain a safe OS), from 24H2’s release you’ll only need to download and install updates with exactly what’s needed, rather than the whole kitchen sink.

Microsoft also says that it might release cumulative updates as checkpoints, not just feature updates and security fixes. Repeating this process multiple times would generate multiple checkpoints that can then be merged in the servicing stack to only download and install missing content on a specific device.

Users handling updates via Windows Update, Windows Update for Business, Windows Autopatch or Windows Server Update Services won’t need to take any action to receive the benefits. If your system is set to update regularly and has been upgraded to 24H2, updates from that point forward should be significantly smaller in size and faster to install.

That’s not just better for Windows users, but Microsoft itself. WhileWindows 11 hasn’t exactly been the roaring successthat Microsoft may have hoped it to be, leaked documentation showed that as of October last year, it was in useon more than 400 million monthly active devices. That’s a lot of machines downloading sizable update packages, so anything that could trim those file sizes down should take some of the strain off of Microsoft’s update servers, too.

How much time this saves on an average update install remains to be seen, although the effect should hopefully be significant—and those of you maintaining small SSDs or nursing slow internet connections will hopefully be able to breathe a sigh of relief. Now, if someone could just inform the myriad of third-party game launcher apps that you don’t need to install massive updates on the regular—just what the end user actually needs—well, that’d be grand.

The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals

Windows 11 review: What we think of the latest OS.How to install Windows 11: Guide to a secure install.Windows 11 TPM requirement: Strict OS security.

Windows 11 reviewHow to install Windows 11Windows 11 TPM requirement

Windows 11 review: What we think of the latest OS.How to install Windows 11: Guide to a secure install.Windows 11 TPM requirement: Strict OS security.

More about windowsA debloating wizard has managed to get Windows 11 running on just 184 MB of RAM, and it looks like it can actually run appsWindows 11 24H2 is the unwanted holiday gift that keeps on giving thanks to Auto HDR game crashes, audio device woes, odd bouts of stuttering and moreLatestCruel is a frantic run-and-gun shooter where you boot cultists out of windows in a cursed apartment block that wants you deadSee more latest►

More about windows

A debloating wizard has managed to get Windows 11 running on just 184 MB of RAM, and it looks like it can actually run appsWindows 11 24H2 is the unwanted holiday gift that keeps on giving thanks to Auto HDR game crashes, audio device woes, odd bouts of stuttering and more

Windows 11 Task Manager showing 11 GB RAM use with a sad face drawn on top

A debloating wizard has managed to get Windows 11 running on just 184 MB of RAM, and it looks like it can actually run apps

A photo of the Windows update menu, showing that I’m all up to date

Windows 11 24H2 is the unwanted holiday gift that keeps on giving thanks to Auto HDR game crashes, audio device woes, odd bouts of stuttering and more

LatestCruel is a frantic run-and-gun shooter where you boot cultists out of windows in a cursed apartment block that wants you deadSee more latest►

Latest

Cruel is a frantic run-and-gun shooter where you boot cultists out of windows in a cursed apartment block that wants you dead

Cruel

Cruel is a frantic run-and-gun shooter where you boot cultists out of windows in a cursed apartment block that wants you dead

See more latest►

Most Popular

My Summer Car, the absurdly detailed Finnish life sim about vehicle maintenance and drinking in your underpants, smashes into 1.0 after nearly a decade in Steam early access

Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes a run at improving parkour, as Ubisoft strives to make the system less ‘like a gas pedal’

Today’s Wordle answer for Saturday, January 11

The Last of Us season 2 trailer is a brief look at a story you should probably just play yourself in April

Lords of the Fallen publisher embraces fear of the DEI boogeyman, says it will not include ‘any social or political agendas’ in its games

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney says tech leaders are ‘pretending to be Republicans’ to gain favor with Trump, skirt antitrust laws, and ultimately ‘rip off consumers and crush competitors’

If you’re trying to convince me your ‘companionship’ robot is ‘lifelike’, maybe don’t rip her face off in the demo video

Square Enix launches new anti-harassment policy to protect its employees and partners from abusive fans

The Sims begins its 25th anniversary celebration next week with a Behind The Sims episode of news and announcements

Path of Exile 2 numberlord spends 16 straight days killing rare monsters to prove that a stat that makes loot better makes better loot

HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review

HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS

1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads

A bunch of the best Steam Deck accessories on a blue background.

1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads

Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads

2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop

Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop

3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most

Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most

4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands

Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands

5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested

Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested

1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review

Thank Goodness You’re Here review

1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review

Thank Goodness You’re Here! review

2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review

3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review

WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review

4Ikea Utespelare desk review

Ikea Utespelare desk review

5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review

Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review

The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals#

The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals