Security updates are installed quickly by default, but now you can set this up for feature updates as well.

Beta testers (Windows Insiders) automatically received the April 2023 preview version for Windows 11 (and Windows 10) this week. For those who are not testers, Microsoft provides update KB5025305. After installing the update, both get access to a new on/off button within Windows Update that lets you choose whether you want the operating system to install updates immediately as they become available.

Windows already does this by default when it comes to security updates today to keep devices safe. They are traditionally rolled out on “Patch Tuesday”, a fixed day of the month when Microsoft bundles everything. On the same day, it also rolls out non-critical updates (often feature updates) that have been available as an option for several weeks.

With the new update feature, Windows 11 now installs these non-critical updates immediately without waiting for “Patch Tuesday” when everything is bundled. By default, the feature is disabled, but that may change in the future. For managed devices in a corporate IT environment, the option is always disabled by default. This keeps IT teams in control of update cadence.

Microsoft says verifying the update may require restarting your PC. Windows Update respects the hours you are actively using the PC and always tries to conveniently schedule a restart after a non-critical update. The update with the new button will be rolled out automatically to all users next month.