New Windows 11 update switch: Faster patches, same security

In Windows 11 settings, you can find a valuable switch related to updates. It’s worth checking the settings to verify its position. In this article, we explain its functionality in detail and advise whether it's worth using.

Many Windows 11 users may not be aware of an important switch among the Windows Update options, especially if they don't regularly check their settings. This switch was introduced from Windows 11 version 22H2 and allows the user to force the Windows Update algorithm to prioritise their computer when distributing new system patches from Microsoft.

The official documentation for Windows 11 provides detailed information about this switch. According to the manufacturer, this switch accelerates the deployment of additional updates that are not directly related to system security, such as patches, feature updates, and improvements.

When the switch is set to "On," the user receives all additional update packages immediately upon release, bypassing the usual update schedule stages known as Controlled Feature Rollout. This way, changes reach the computer faster, and the user can test the patches quicker.

It is important to remember that this is not the same mode for testing changes as the Windows Insider program. Here, willing users download all updates even faster and use them with the awareness that there may be bugs in the system. Only after this testing phase are the updates pushed further and made available to regular Windows users.

It’s worth noting that this switch does not affect the distribution of security updates. These are sent out as standard to all Windows 11 computers. In practice, this means that the user mainly receives monthly update packages under the so-called Patch Tuesday, and additional patches are released off-schedule when necessary. This applies to urgent security fixes, implemented quickly when a new threat is detected.

The priority switch for additional updates in Windows 11 only needs to be activated once. Its settings are remembered until the next change, so there’s no need to revisit this section when new updates are released or every month. The user can withdraw consent for faster computer updates by simply changing this option again.