Microsoft states it constantly classifies Windows updates for expiration to make the entire update process much faster and secure by removing the older release that has already been out-of-date by the advance packages. Installing updates is slower and their size gets additionally bigger due to the long backlog caused by the two or more updates for each Windows platform released every month.

On the same side, the older packages are transmitted through Windows Updates as a part of aggregate updates; moreover decreasing the updated performance and making the entire process take longer than required.

Microsoft enhances Windows Update’s overall performance by making the previous updates for expiration as part of a constant evaluation process. “Microsoft produces two or three updates per supported Windows platform monthly. Many of these updates, however, are aggregate and include all the earlier updates that have been posted for that platform,” said a Program Manager at Microsoft.”

“By expiring the older, unnecessary packages, you get better performance, shorter scan times, a faster user experience, and reduce risk of set up the older updates which have been exchanged with advance and more secure ones.”

Older Windows Updates Never Expire

Ahonen also added that some of the older packages may not go through the evolution or may never meet the criteria Microsoft utilizes to mark updates for expiration. Moreover, the security-only updates packages for some earlier Windows 7 SP1, only hold one month of fixes and are not increasing.

“This KB is no longer available from Windows Update, the Microsoft Update Catalog, or other release channels,” Microsoft says on the entries of expired updates. “We recommend that you update your devices to the latest security quality update. The latest security quality update is cumulative and contains all the addressed issues in this update.”

Smarter and Faster Windows 11 Updates

Microsoft is also testing a new method to deliver Windows update improvements in Windows 11 using a new feature known as Update Stack Package. The company explains that, by using Update Stack Package, it can deliver improvements to the update experience before monthly or feature Windows updates, outside of major OS updates.

“The Update Stack Package will help ensure that your PC has the highest likelihood of successfully installing new updates with the best and least disruptive experience available,” Microsoft said.

Delivery through Update Stack Package is limited to a small set of update-related Windows system files developed independently of the operating system.

Microsoft also announced last week that it redesigned cumulative updates in Windows 11 to allow users to install security and quality updates faster by removing reverse differentials from the cumulative update package and with the help of more efficient packaging. “The cumulative update size in Windows 11 is approximately 40% smaller than the same set of quality and security updates would have been packaged for Windows 10,” Microsoft said.