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HELP! WINDOWS 11 - MISSING SECURITY UPDATES

MPP 30 Reputation points
2026-02-24T15:35:36.73+00:00

Hello. I'm desperately hoping someone can help me try and fix my son's PC.

A couple of days ago he started getting a bunch of little problems like the audio controls being switched off (greyed out), external wired speakers no longer working, wireless headphones not working.

I noticed he needed to install a few Windows updates. He has Windows 11 Home (version 21H2). However, the updates would NOT install - the 'download' buttons were all greyed out. He only had 8GB of spare disk space so I created 90GB of capacity on the hard drive but the updates still won't install. The Troubleshooter doesn't work either. I've checked the Lenovo website and apparently all the drivers are up to date. I've restarted the PC a few times.

I've tried all the recommended fixes but none have worked or are not available options.

Can anyone kindly help? My son is going nuts without his PC and the stress levels at home are going up!!

Thank you!!

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Windows update
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  1. DaveM121 861.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-02-24T16:11:25.53+00:00

    21H2 is 4 years out of date, all normal methods to update will fail.

    The most successful method to install version 25H2 is to use the Windows 11 ISO.

    You will need at least 40GB of free space on the C drive for the update.

    Please ensure you download the ISO in the same language as you use for the Windows UI, follow the steps, this is then not like re-installing Windows, it is just like an update and your personal files, settings and installed software will not be affected.

    Click this link:

    https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11

    to download the Windows 11 ISO

    When the ISO file completes downloading

    Disconnect from the Internet

    Disconnect all external devices with the exception of a mouse or keyboard.

    Temporarily disable any 3rd party Anti-virus you may have installed

    Then, in Windows File Explorer, double click the ISO and then run Setup.exe and select the Install option.

    Very Important - ensure you select the option to keep your files and apps.

    1 person found this answer helpful.

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  1. Yutaka_K_JP 1,645 Reputation points
    2026-02-24T15:42:31.66+00:00

    I think that… when Win11 updates stay grey and the sound goes too, 21H2 sometimes breaks its own update parts, so I’d run wsreset -i in admin terminal first… and if nothing wakes up, setup.exe from the Win11 ISO (keep files/apps) is the one thing.

  2. Q&A Assist
    2026-02-24T15:35:51.47+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    It sounds like your son's PC is experiencing multiple issues that could be related to the Windows update process. Here are some steps you can try to resolve the update installation problems:

    1. Free Up Disk Space: Ensure that there is sufficient disk space available. Windows updates often require more space than just the size of the update itself. You mentioned creating 90GB of space, which should be sufficient.
    2. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter: Since you mentioned that the troubleshooter doesn't work, try running it again. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, and run the Windows Update troubleshooter. This can sometimes fix issues preventing updates from installing.
    3. Check for Corrupted Files: You can run the System File Checker to check for corrupted system files. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command sfc /scannow. This process can take some time, and it will attempt to repair any corrupted files.
    4. Reset Windows Update Components: If the above steps do not work, you can reset the Windows Update components. This involves stopping certain services, renaming folders, and restarting the services. You can find detailed instructions on how to do this in Microsoft's documentation.
    5. Manual Update: If the automatic update still fails, you can manually download and install the latest Windows 11 update from the Microsoft website. This might bypass any issues with the update process on the PC.
    6. Check Device Drivers: Even though you mentioned that drivers are up to date, sometimes reinstalling the audio drivers can help. Go to Device Manager, find the audio devices, and uninstall them. Restart the PC, and Windows will attempt to reinstall the drivers automatically.
    7. Consider In-Place Upgrade: If all else fails, you can perform an in-place upgrade using the Windows 11 ISO. This method allows you to reinstall Windows while keeping your files and applications intact. Make sure to download the ISO from the official Microsoft website and follow the instructions carefully.

    If these steps do not resolve the issues, further investigation may be required to diagnose any underlying problems with the system.

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