Table of Contents
Are Your Files Safe? The Ultimate Guide to November’s Critical Windows Updates
Microsoft has just made new updates available for the Windows operating system in November 2025. These updates are like a health check for your computer, helping it run smoothly and stay safe from online dangers. Installing them is one of the most important things you can do to protect your personal information from hackers and prevent your computer from slowing down.
What the New Updates Fix
This month, Microsoft fixed a total of 63 security issues across its products, including Windows and Microsoft Office. They also fixed 5 other problems in software that works with Windows. There are no major known problems for Windows 10 or Windows 11 home users after installing these updates.
Here is a simple breakdown of what’s new for your version of Windows:
- Windows 10 (version 22H2): This update fixes 34 security holes, and 2 of them are critical. If you use Windows 10, your computer needs to be part of the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program to get this protection.
- Windows 11 (version 23H2): This is the final security update for the Home and Pro editions of this version. It addresses 34 vulnerabilities, with 2 being critical.
- Windows 11 (versions 24H2 and 25H2): These versions get fixes for 35 and 36 problems, respectively. The updates also fix issues on gaming handheld devices that caused battery drain and gamepad freezes.
The most serious problems fixed this month include:
- A graphics vulnerability that could let a hacker take control of your computer.
- A problem with how Windows handles web requests that could cause networking issues.
How to Get Your Updates Safely
Keeping your computer updated is simple and helps protect it from harm. You can get the new updates automatically or install them yourself.
To install your updates right away:
- Click the Start button on your screen.
- Go to Settings, then Update & Security, and finally Windows Update.
- Click the Check for updates button.
- If updates appear, select Download & install. Your computer will handle the rest. You may need to restart your device afterward.
If you prefer to install updates manually, you can download them directly from the Microsoft Update Catalog website. Each update has a name, like “KB5068781,” which you can search for on the site.
What to Do If an Update Causes Problems
Sometimes, things can go wrong during an update. This can happen if files get corrupted or if there isn’t enough free space on your computer.
If you have trouble, here are a few simple steps to try:
- Restart your computer: A simple reboot can fix many common issues, especially if multiple updates are trying to install at once.
- Run the troubleshooter: Windows has a built-in tool to find and fix update problems. You can find it in the Windows Update settings.
- Check your disk space: Updates need enough free space to install properly. If your drive is almost full, it can cause the update to fail.
- Fix system files: You can use built-in tools like System File Checker (SFC) to repair any corrupted files that might be preventing the update.