What to Do Before Updating Your Operating System

Updating your operating system can bring better performance, new features, and improved security.
But it can also go wrong — leading to crashes, lost files, or apps that stop working.

That’s why it’s important to prepare your system before clicking “Update Now.”

Here’s a practical checklist of what to do before updating your OS, whether you’re using Windows, macOS, or even Linux.

✅ 1. Back up your important data

This is non-negotiable.

Before any major system update, back up your:

Documents
Photos
Work files
App settings (if possible)

Use external drives, cloud storage, or both. Even if the update goes smoothly, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

✅ 2. Check available storage space

Operating system updates often require several gigabytes of free space.
If your disk is nearly full, the update might fail — or your system might slow down afterward.

✅ Tip: On Windows or Mac, clean out old downloads and temporary files before starting.

✅ 3. Make sure your device is charged or plugged in

Laptops and tablets should always be connected to power during updates.
Losing power in the middle of a system update can lead to serious corruption or boot issues.

✅ 4. Pause any unnecessary background apps

Close apps that aren’t needed — especially:

Antivirus scans
Game launchers
Large downloads or file transfers

These can interfere with the update process or slow it down.

✅ 5. Review the update details

Before installing a major update (especially feature updates), check:

The changelog or release notes
Known issues
Minimum hardware requirements

You can usually find this info on the developer’s website (e.g., Microsoft, Apple, Canonical).

✅ 6. Log in as administrator

Some updates require admin privileges to install.
Make sure you’re logged in with the correct account, especially if you’re using a shared or work device.

✅ 7. Consider delaying if you rely on specific apps

If your work depends on a certain app, and the update could affect compatibility, consider waiting a few days.
Let early adopters test it first — then install once you’re sure everything works.

Key points to remember

Always back up your files before a system update
Check that you have enough disk space
Plug in your device to avoid mid-update shutdowns
Review release notes to avoid surprises
Delay if needed — updates aren’t going anywhere