Your Device Is Missing Important Security and Quality Fixes: How to Solve?

Understanding of Your Device Is Missing Important Security Updates Windows 11/10

What Is the Missing Important Security Updates Error

Windows updates can deliver security patches, fix bugs, and bring new features & improvements. Installing these updates is crucial to maintain the overall security, performance, and stability of the computer.

However, the installation process is not always as straightforward as it sounds. On the Windows Update page, the following error message may display:

• In Windows 10: “Your device is missing important security and quality fixes.”
• In Windows 11: “Your device is missing important security updates.”

This error indicates the system fails to install some critical updates, which can leave the device vulnerable to threats such as malware and bugs. Moreover, this error may lead to system instability and performance issues, which the updates are intended to resolve.

Causes of Device Missing Important Security and Quality Fixes

This annoying issue can stem from a variety of reasons, as shown:

• Stuck or pending updates: An update is downloaded but fails to install, leaving the system in a broken state.
• Corrupted update components: Windows update services are not running, or the update cache is corrupted.
• Damaged system files: Core Windows system files required for the update process may be corrupted, which prevents the update from proceeding.
• Software conflicts: Antivirus software can block updates.
• Incorrect settings: Telemetry settings can inadvertently block the delivery of certain quality fixes or security updates.

Back Up Data Immediately

When your device misses important Windows updates, it is prone to viruses, malware, and system instability. Before proceeding with any troubleshooting steps, backing up data is a critical safety measure.

To back up files, use the PC backup software, such as MiniTool ShadowMaker. It is designed for Windows 11/10/8/7, enabling you to effectively create a disk/partition/folder/system backup & recovery.

What’s more, this utility supports automatic backups and incremental/differential backups, as well as cloning HDD to SSD.

Here is how to back up your computer data to an external drive.

Step 1: Connect an external hard drive to the computer.

Step 2: Download, install, and run MiniTool ShadowMaker.

MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

Step 3: Navigate to the Backup tab in the left pane, and choose the backup source & destination.

• Source: Click the SOURCE section, select Folders and Files, browse your computer to choose files and folders you wish to back up, and click OK to confirm.
• Destination: Head to the DESTINATION section, select the connected external drive, and click OK to proceed.

Step 4: If necessary, select Options and follow the prompts to configure the backup plan & scheme.

Step 5: Click Back Up Now > OK to begin the process.

After keeping data safe, explore the effective solutions that can seamlessly address the update issue.

How to Fix Your Device Is Missing Important Security and Quality Fixes

To resolve the Windows 11/10 missing important updates error, try manually installing updates, running Windows Update troubleshooter, resetting related components, adjusting telemetry settings, and performing DISM & SFC scans.

Below is the breakdown.

#1. Manually Check for Updates

You may see the Check for updates or Download & install all button under the error message. Clicking that button can sometimes install the available updates on the device.

If this doesn’t work, try other troubleshooting steps.

#2. Uninstall and Reinstall Updates

In some cases, the recently installed update triggers the “your device is missing important security and quality fixes or security updates” error. Uninstalling the update and reinstalling available updates may be helpful.

Try this method:

Windows 10

Step 1: Head to Settings and choose Update & Security > Windows Update.

Step 2: Click View update history > Uninstall updates. This opens a Control Panel window.

Step 3: Right-click on the latest update and choose Uninstall.

Windows 11

Step 1: In Settings, select Windows Update.

Step 2: Click Update history > Uninstall updates.

Step 3: Locate the recent update and click Uninstall twice to initialize the process.

After the uninstallation, check for updates and download & install available ones. If the error persists, proceed with other methods.

#3. Install Specific Updates with Microsoft Update Catalog

If Windows Update always displays the device missing important security updates error, try another approach. Microsoft Update Catalog is highly recommended.

It is a website that serves as a central library for specific Microsoft updates, including drivers, security patches, and service packs. The website offers users manual control, allowing for searches by KB number, product, or hardware ID to find the specific updates.

Follow these steps to install the updates:

Step 1: Open your browser and visit the Microsoft Update Catalog website.

Step 2: Type in the latest security update, like KB5074109 (a cumulative update for Windows 11), and click Search.

Step 3: Locate the product that is compatible with your Windows version and download the package.

Step 4: Download all the delivered .msu files and run them to finish the installations.

The “your device is missing important security and quality fixes but no updates” issue should be fixed.

#4. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows 11 and 10 have many built-in troubleshooters designed to resolve common issues with the computer, including Windows Update Troubleshooter. It can diagnose and fix problems preventing updates from downloading and installing correctly.

Try this tool if your PC misses important updates.

Windows 10

Step 1: Head to Settings > Update & Security.

Step 2: In the Troubleshoot tab, select Additional troubleshooters.

Step 3: Choose Windows Update and click the Run the troubleshooter button.

Step 4: Follow the instructions to finish the scan and fix.

Windows 11

Step 1: Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot.

Step 2: Click Other trouble-shooters.

Step 3: Locate Windows Update and click the Run button next to it.

Step 4: This tool begins to detect update issues. Once found, apply any suggested fixes.

After finishing, restart the system and check for updates to see if “your device is missing important security updates or security and quality fixes” is resolved.

[Full Guide] How to Fix Windows Update Troubleshooter Not Working

What if Windows Update Troubleshooter doesn’t work as intended? In this article, you will find multiple solutions to this annoying issue.

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#5. Reset Windows Update Components

Resetting Windows Update components can effectively resolve the missing security and quality fixes or security update error.

This process involves stopping & resetting update services, clearing corrupted update caches, and re-registering update files. Then, downloads and installations of essential updates are refreshed.

Here is how to reset the update components:

Step 1: Type cmd into the search box and click Run as administrator from the right pane to run Command Prompt with admin rights.

Step 2: Stop update-related services using the following commands. Press Enter after each command.

net stop bits

net stop wuauserv

net stop cryptsvc

Step 3: Delete the qmgr*.dat files by executing the command:

Del “%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat”

Step 4: Rename Windows update folders using the commands one after another.

Ren %Systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore DataStore.bak

Ren %Systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\Download Download.bak

Ren %Systemroot%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.bak

Step 5: Execute the following command to reset the BITS service and the Windows Update service to the default security descriptor:

sc.exe sdset bits D:(A;CI;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;IU)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;SU)

sc.exe sdset wuauserv D:(A;;CCLCSWRPLORC;;;AU)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;SY)

Step 6: Type the cd /d %windir%\system32 command and press Enter to proceed.

Step 7: Reregister the BITS and Windows Update files by running the commands below:

regsvr32.exe atl.dll

regsvr32.exe urlmon.dll

regsvr32.exe mshtml.dll

regsvr32.exe shdocvw.dll

regsvr32.exe browseui.dll

regsvr32.exe jscript.dll

regsvr32.exe vbscript.dll

regsvr32.exe scrrun.dll

regsvr32.exe msxml.dll

regsvr32.exe msxml3.dll

regsvr32.exe msxml6.dll

regsvr32.exe actxprxy.dll

regsvr32.exe softpub.dll

regsvr32.exe wintrust.dll

regsvr32.exe dssenh.dll

regsvr32.exe rsaenh.dll

regsvr32.exe gpkcsp.dll

regsvr32.exe sccbase.dll

regsvr32.exe slbcsp.dll

regsvr32.exe cryptdlg.dll

regsvr32.exe oleaut32.dll

regsvr32.exe ole32.dll

regsvr32.exe shell32.dll

regsvr32.exe initpki.dll

regsvr32.exe wuapi.dll

regsvr32.exe wuaueng.dll

regsvr32.exe wuaueng1.dll

regsvr32.exe wucltui.dll

regsvr32.exe wups.dll

regsvr32.exe wups2.dll

regsvr32.exe wuweb.dll

regsvr32.exe qmgr.dll

regsvr32.exe qmgrprxy.dll

regsvr32.exe wucltux.dll

regsvr32.exe muweb.dll

regsvr32.exe wuwebv.dll

Step 8: Run the netsh winsock reset command to reset Winsock.

Step 9: Restart the stopped update services:

net start bits

net start wuauserv

net start cryptsvc

Step 10: Restart Windows 11 or 10, and the update error message may disappear.

#6. Adjust Telemetry Settings

Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry is a Windows process that gathers technical data on how your device and app work. It can help Microsoft improve future updates and ensure compatibility.

However, if its level is set to “Security only”, security updates cannot be offered.

To fix “your device is missing important security and quality fixes”, adjust the telemetry level.

Step 1: Type gpedit.msc in the search box and press Enter to open Local Group Policy Editor.

Step 2: Head to Computer Configuration > Administrative Template > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview Builds.

Step 3: Double-click on Allow Telemetry to open its properties window.

Step 4: Select Enabled and choose any option except 0 – Security [Enterprise Only] from the Options section.

Step 5: Click Apply > OK to save the change.

Check if the problem is addressed.

#7. Run DISM & SFC

“Your device is missing important security and quality fixes/security updates” can be caused by corrupted system files. Running DISM and SFC can easily detect and repair the damage in Windows system files to resolve the issue.

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Launch Command Prompt as an administrator.

Step 2: Type the DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealthcommand and press Enter to perform a DISM scan.

Step 3: Type the sfc /scannow command and press Enter to execute an SFC scan.

Wait until the scan finishes. Then, restart Windows 11/10 and install Windows updates again.

#8. Use Update Assistant/Media Creation Tool

If you need to install major Windows updates but run into the device missing important security updates error, consider other installation methods.

Windows Update Assistant and Media Creation Tool are two recommended methods for Windows updates.

Step 1: Download one of these two tools from Microsoft’s website.

Step 2: Run it on the computer.

Step 3: Follow the on-screen instructions to upgrade the device.

Conclusion

This post introduces the potential causes and solutions to “your device is missing important security and quality fixes”. If you are struggling with this frustrating update issue, try the methods above.

Moreover, ensure you back up crucial PC data with MiniTool ShadowMaker before fixing the error.

When experiencing issues during the backup process, contact us at [email protected].

Your Device Is Missing Important Security and Quality Fixes FAQ