Patch Tuesday is the name given to the day each month that Microsoft releases security and other patches for their operating systems and other software. Patch Tuesday is always the second Tuesday of each month.
Most of us will experience more of a Patch Wednesday and Thursday because this is the day we notice our computers running slower and the updates installing when we shut down/restart.
(Some half-jokingly refer to the day after Patch Tuesday as Crash Wednesday, referring to the troubles that sometimes accompany a computer after the patches are installed.)
What can we do?
- Allow extra time during the second week of the month for your computer to shut down and boot up.
Helpful tip: You can set a recurring event on your calendar for the second Tuesday-Thursday of each month to remind yourself to give the computer more time in the morning to start up and at night to shut down.
- Be sure you are properly shutting your computer down at night (instead of just locking it/putting it to sleep).
- Restart once a day during patch week.
- Proper shut down -> Close all open files, apps/programs then go to Windows start menu -> power icon -> SHUT DOWN (may also see “update and shut down”). And then WAIT at least 30 seconds after all lights and sound are off before closing the lid.
- Proper restart -> Be sure the laptop is connected to power. Close all open files, apps/programs and then go to Windows start menu -> power icon -> RESTART (may also see “update and restart”).
- Computer and programs running slow during the day? Restart it.
Restarting your computer allows the downloaded updates to finish installing.
Sometimes it takes a few restarts for all updates to finish installing.
- RESTART Video instructions - Restarting Computer - Video on Demand (cornell.edu)
- Please help prevent issues by restarting your computer several times during patch week, while it’s plugged into power. A simple shutdown will not do the trick. ☹ We recommend restarting at least once on Wednesday, and once on Thursday. You will have the least interruption to your day if you have your computer plugged into power and restart when you go to lunch – that way it has 30 minutes to do whatever it needs to do before you return 😊
- Please be patient during/after restart! If your computer gets “stuck” on a blue or black screen, take a break, leave it for a few minutes – it’s completely normal for it to be sitting on that black screen for awhile (sometimes it can take upwards of 20-30 minutes!).
- Manually check for more updates: Patch Week - Update and Restart - Video on Demand (cornell.edu)
- Do NOT click install for the Windows 11 update, if prompted by Windows, unless you were directed by your IT person to do so.
- Never, ever force your computer to shut down during updates.
Interrupting the update process can be very detrimental to your computer and software. If you interrupt it (such as forcing your computer to shut down by pressing the power button) during a major update to Windows or the Office software, Windows may not boot up or your Office programs will not open.
- Forcing the computer to shut down and restart by holding the power button down while it’s installing updates can damage your operating system and require the wiping and reinstallation of Windows.
- If this happens, you’ll need to reach out to your IT person for assistance, and most likely will require Windows to be reinstalled on your computer.
If you notice video or audio issues after updates, please restart at least once more, and then submit a helpdesk ticket if issues not resolved after restart.
If you are interested in more recommendations for keeping your computer running well and secure, take some time to review our PC Maintenance, Security & Best Practices - Video on Demand (cornell.edu).