Windows 11 trick delivers faster updates with a single switch

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 in Windows 11 version 22H2 and allows the user to prioritize their computer when Microsoft distributes new system patches.

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 their release, bypassing the usual update schedule stages known as Controlled Feature Rollout. This way, changes reach the computer much faster, and the user can test the patches quicker.

It's 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 standardly to all Windows 11 computers. In practice, this means that the user mainly receives monthly update packages under the so-called Patch Tuesday and also additional patches 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 settings section when new updates are released or every month. The user can withdraw consent for faster computer updates; just change this option again.