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What to Know Before Installing a Windows Update .MSU File

Install a downloaded Windows update package by double-clicking it, running WUSA, or using DISM. Check compatibility, prerequisites, and restart handling first.
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To install a downloaded Windows Update package manually, double-click the .msu file, or run it with Windows Update Standalone Installer (WUSA). For command-line servicing, use DISM from an elevated terminal. First confirm that the package matches your Windows version and processor architecture.

Before installing, choose the right update package

  1. Find the update’s KB number and open its Microsoft Update Catalog entry or Microsoft support article. Confirm that it applies to the Windows product and version on your PC.
  2. Choose the package for the correct product and processor architecture, and check the KB article for prerequisites. A package may not apply if it is for another Windows version or architecture, is already installed or superseded, or depends on a prerequisite that is missing.
  3. Download the matching package from the Microsoft Update Catalog. Microsoft’s Windows Update troubleshooting guidance describes searching by update number, choosing the entry that applies to the operating system, and downloading it.

Install the .msu file with WUSA

For a standard interactive installation, double-click the downloaded .msu file and follow the prompts. You can also open Command Prompt or PowerShell and run WUSA with the full path:

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wusa.exe "C:PathToUpdate.msu"

Replace the example path with the actual location and filename. The ordinary WUSA workflow installs the package directly; you do not need to extract the file manually. Microsoft documents both double-clicking and running the package by full path in its Windows Update Standalone Installer guidance.

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Run WUSA quietly or defer its restart

WUSA supports switches for scripted installation. The /quiet switch suppresses user interaction and may allow the PC to restart if the update requires it. To prevent an automatic restart while running quietly, use /norestart with /quiet:

wusa.exe "C:PathToUpdate.msu" /quiet /norestart

If the update requires a restart, restart Windows manually after installation.

Install the package with DISM

Use DISM when you need command-line package servicing or when the target update’s Microsoft instructions specify it. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell as an administrator and run:

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DISM /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:"C:PathToUpdate.msu"

/Online targets the currently running Windows installation. Replace the example path with the full path to the downloaded package. DISM also supports servicing an offline Windows image with /Image:<path>; that targets the image rather than the Windows installation currently running. See Microsoft’s DISM package servicing command-line options for the supported modes.

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Use the method that fits the task

Method Best fit Key behavior
Double-click or WUSA Installing one package interactively, or invoking it by full path WUSA runs the update installer and supports quiet and restart switches.
DISM with /Online Servicing the Windows installation currently running Applies the package to the online operating system.
DISM with /Image Servicing a mounted offline Windows image Applies the package to the specified image path.

Why Windows says the update is not applicable

Do not try to force an update past its applicability checks as a general fix. Verify the KB number and confirm the downloaded package matches the installed Windows release and processor architecture. Then check whether the update is already installed or has been superseded, and review the target KB’s prerequisite notes. Microsoft lists these conditions among the causes of an “update is not applicable” message in its Windows Update troubleshooting guidance.

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Check for checkpoint instructions on some newer updates

Some cumulative updates for Windows 11, version 24H2, and Windows Server 2025 require earlier checkpoint packages to be installed in order. Follow the target KB article’s instructions for which packages to download and how to apply them; the required files and order vary by update. Microsoft’s KB5124010 instructions, published September 22, 2026 and updated through October 3, 2026, provide one example of using DISM to process checkpoint packages.

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