A user who went through our how to turn on or off the new Start menu in Windows 10 article reached out to me saying the View optional updates link is not showing up on his Windows 10 installation. In this guide, we will see what optional updates are, why the View optional updates link is missing, and how to install Optional updates in Windows 10.
What are Optional updates in Windows 10?
Optional updates are updates that are not critical for running the Windows operating system. In addition to updates for the Windows OS, Optional updates may also include driver updates. In some cases, Optional updates bring in new features as well. For instance, the recently released KB4568831 optional update allows enabling the new Start menu and Edge tabs in the Alt + Tab screen.
Unlike regular updates, Optional updates will not be automatically downloaded and installed. Users need to manually install them. In other words, Windows 10 will not automatically install optional updates unless you select and install them.
View optional updates link does not show up on Windows Update page
If the View optional updates link is missing or not showing up on the Settings > Updates & Security > Windows Update page, it is because optional updates are available for your currently installed Windows 10 version and build. In short, the View optional updates link shows up only when optional updates are available. The link remains hidden when no optional updates are available for your computer.
To make sure that there are no Optional updates available, click on the Check for updates button (present on the same page). Windows Update service will check if any regular and optional updates are available. If one or more optional updates are available, the View optional updates link will appear.
How to install optional updates in Windows 10
Step 1: Open the Settings up. Go to Update & Security > Windows Update page.
Step 2: Click on the Check for updates button. Windows Update service might take a few minutes to check if any optional updates are available for your version and build of Windows 10.
Step 3: If optional updates are available, you will see the View optional updates link, as shown in the picture below. Click on the View optional updates link. Note that the Optional updates link does not show up if no optional updates are available.
Step 4: Select the optional updates that you would like to download and install. Click on the Download and install button. That is it!
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