Windows updates have grown substantially in scope and volume over the years. Microsoft's monthly Patch Tuesday cumulative releases now often surpass 4 to 5 GB, occasionally hitting 9 GB. Comparatively, just two years prior, these updates typically ranged from 300 to 500 MB.
An analysis by Windows Latest uncovers multiple contributors to this pattern of enlargement in update dimensions.
Current updates from Microsoft incorporate modifications to core system operations alongside a range of AI capabilities. However, not all computers utilize every one of these AI elements.
A download from the Windows Update catalog might start at around 4 GB. During installation, the operating system evaluates relevance and could apply just 1 to 2 GB, resulting in excess data transfer without corresponding utility.
This approach debuted alongside the initial Copilot+ PCs in 2024 and remains integrated into the update mechanism. Microsoft might provide distinct updates tailored for AI-equipped devices but has not pursued that option to date.
For quite some time, Microsoft has shifted away from small, targeted fixes toward comprehensive cumulative packages. Thus, each monthly security release encompasses the newest corrections plus all prior ones, ensuring no skipped update leads to significant issues.
The drawback includes escalating file sizes. With the Windows 11 24H2 version, Microsoft added checkpoints that the system uses to apply updates only up to designated points. Yet, the gaps between these checkpoints widened progressively, undermining their effectiveness. For instance, the April 2025 cumulative update measured 1,287 MB, whereas May 2025's reached 4,369 MB.
Crafting customized updates for diverse hardware and configurations poses significant challenges for Microsoft. As a result, updates for WSUS servers follow the cumulative format too. Amid ongoing storage limitations, businesses encounter added difficulties in handling data, with oversized updates compounding the strain.
In contrast to Apple, which releases updates only upon completion, Microsoft adheres to a rigid monthly timeline. Despite this, Apple's patches tend to remain more compact overall, apart from major version upgrades.
The structured monthly rhythm for Windows offers benefits like reliability in patch timing, though it limits adaptability. This timetable compels developers to align modifications to set periods, sometimes bundling multiple adjustments into one package instead of distributing minor, flexible ones.
Users can access download metrics and breakdowns of data sources—such as from Microsoft directly, nearby network devices, or cache servers—via Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Delivery optimization > Activity monitor.
Note that Windows 11 Home lacks several advantages available in Windows 11 Pro. For details, review the comparison between Windows 11 Home and Pro editions. Upgrades are available at a discount in the PCWorld Software Store, currently priced at $59 rather than $99.
This piece first appeared in our affiliate publication PC-WELT, adapted and translated from its German original.
Laura, a dedicated gamer and enthusiast of films and television, holds a degree in communication science. She joined PCMagazin and Connect Living post-graduation and now covers PC and tech subjects as a staff editor at PC-WELT, our German counterpart, starting in May 2024.