As part of the servicing model known as Windows as a Service (feature and Quality Updates), Windows 10 and 11 versions receive monthly updates with security and general fixes. Microsoft produces two to three updates per supported Windows platform monthly. This results in a backlog of updates and potentially increases the size of update packages. Many of these updates, however, are cumulative and include all earlier updates that have been published for that platform. That means, when older packages expire, you still receive the updates contained in those packages by installing the cumulative update. Kindly refer to these related guides: How to Start, Stop and Restart Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) via PowerShell and CMD, Windows Server Update Services: Windows 2016 Servers does not show up on WSUS console, and how to apply Windows Updates from WSUS to the server using AWS RunCommand.
An expired package will not appear in Windows Update scan results and it can also reduce internet data usage, which is particularly important when you have a limited internet connection
Note: This policy only applies to Windows updates. Updates for other Microsoft software or firmware may have different policies and should be considered separately.By expiring older, redundant packages, you get better performance, shorter scan times, a faster user experience, and a reduced risk of deploying older updates that have been superseded with newer, more secure ones. Here are answers to common questions we receive about our Windows update expiration policy.
How often are update packages expired?
Our published packages are evaluated for expiration on a regular basis. Once a large enough quantity has been found, an expiration will take place.
Why aren’t older updates expired?
Some older packages may not yet have been evaluated or may not have met the criteria for expiration. It is also possible that they have not yet expired because of existing dependencies on that specific update.
Are there any packages that cannot be expired?
Security-only update packages for Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 SP2, Windows Server 2012, Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2008 SP2 do not expire as they are not cumulative and hold only one month worth of fixes. Additionally, if a more recent update package has a dependency on an older package, the older package will not expire until it has been superseded by a newer package.
How can find out if my update has expired?
If an update has expired, you will see the word “EXPIRED” appended to the title of the release note article associated with that specific update on support.microsoft.com.
There will also be an expiration notice at the top of the article.
If you are using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), you will see a banner at the top of the details pane if a given update has expired. Source: Microsoft Techcommunity.
Update Stack Pakages for Windows 11
Microsoft is also testing a feature called “Update Stack Packages” which is being touted as a new way to deliver improvements before a big patch is deployed. With the new “Update Stack Package”, Microsoft can help improve some areas of the OS before shipping monthly or feature updates. The first Update Stack Package was released alongside Build 22478 for Windows Insiders and it is currently available for a limited number of users with no noticeable changes.
Therefore, 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.”