Update friction is the inconvenience or disruption that makes people delay, avoid, or fail to complete software updates. It can include restart prompts, lost work, long installation times, or steps that require user attention.
In cybersecurity, friction can leave devices running outdated software with known vulnerabilities. Attackers may exploit those weaknesses, while defenders try to shorten the gap between a patch becoming available and its installation. For example, a browser update that applies with little interruption may encourage faster patch adoption. Reducing friction can help, but it does not guarantee that updates install successfully or eliminate the need for restarts.