- Which version of Windows Phone do I have?
- How do I update my phone software?
- Phone updates FAQ
- Copy and paste
- Switch between apps
- What do the icons on my phone mean?
- Tips to help keep my phone secure
- Keyboard
- Accessibility on my phone
- Lock screen
- Use Speech on my phone
- Find a lost phone
- My Phone FAQ
- How can I minimize my data usage?
- Battery: making it last
- SD cards and my phone
- Use a PIN to lock my SIM card
- Privacy resources
- Feature and service availability
Phone updates FAQ
We periodically release Windows Phone software updates to add new features you've asked for and to maximize your phone's performance. Here are answers to some common questions about phone updates.
The scope of each update varies. Sometimes we'll include only a few minor fixes or tweaks and sometimes we'll include brand-new features.
When it's available, we'll also pass along software from phone manufacturers that improves the performance of specific phone models. If you have questions about what's included in a phone manufacturer update, contact your phone manufacturer.
To learn what new features and improvements are included in our latest release, see Windows Phone 7.8. To see what we've included in other updates, see Windows Phone 7 update history.
To see which Windows Phone operating system (OS) version is currently installed on your phone, do the following:
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On Start, flick left to the App list.
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Tap Settings
> About > More info.
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To ensure quality, we release updates on a staggered schedule throughout the world. Many factors influence when you'll receive an update, including which phone model you have and which company provides your mobile service.
When a software update is available for you to download, we'll let you know. A notice will appear on your phone, telling you to connect your phone to your computer.
When a software update is available for you to download, we'll let you know. A notice will appear on your phone, telling you to connect your phone to your computer.
If you haven't done so already, install the Zune software on your PC. You'll need this software to download the phone update.
When you see the notification on your phone, connect your phone to your computer to download the update. See How do I update my phone software? for detailed instructions about downloading and installing updates.
When you install an update, all of your settings, apps, and media files are preserved.
Note
To install an update on Windows Phone 7, you need the Zune software, which is only available for PCs. If you use a Mac, you'll need to borrow a PC to install an update.
If you run into problems during or after the update, see the Installing or updating your Windows Phone 7 software wizard or Troubleshoot phone update errors.
For the latest news about what updates we're delivering now and what's coming in the future, see Update central or the Windows Phone Blog (English only).
No. Although newer versions of the Windows Phone software might add support for additional display languages, the new languages will only be available on new phones. After you update your phone, you'll continue to have the same display languages that you had before the update.
Note that the specific display languages that are included on your phone are chosen by your mobile operator or phone manufacturer. For more details about supported display languages, see Features and service availability.
