Contents
- How to Pause Windows 10 Updates
- How to Disable Automatic Restart during Windows 10 Update
- How to Disable Windows 10 Update Permanently
Like all operating systems, Windows is constantly evolving through updates that bring, depending on the case, new features, improvements or fixes, including closing security loopholes. Entrusted to Windows Update, this permanent updating of the system can however tend to annoy. And between the untimely restarts, the download time, the use of bandwidth and the multiplication of notifications, there are several reasons to block the updates.
Fortunately, Microsoft has heard the complaints of its users and the situation has improved significantly in Windows 10, especially since 2018, with the operation taking place faster and more serenely than before. Thus, it is now possible to better control the download and installation of updates. In particular, it is possible to suspend them for a period of up to 35 days, which allows you to make a single session of system upgrades, or schedule a time slot for their installation. There is also a way to block updates permanently. But we strongly advise you not to do this for obvious reasons of security and system stability: by blocking updates, you may miss out on critical bug fixes or important bugs. It is much wiser, and more efficient, to set Windows Update to take control of Windows 10 updates.
How to Pause Windows 10 Updates ?
Windows Update allows you to suspend Windows 10 updates for a customizable period, seven days by default.
- In Windows 10, click the Start menu, then click Settings.
- In theWindows Settings window, click on the Update and Securitysection.
- Click Windows Update in the left-hand menu, if you’re not directly on that heading.
- In the right window, click on Suspend updates for 7 days.
- The suspension is automatically activated for a full week.
- If you want a longer delay there is an option to pause updates for up to 35 days.Still in theWindows Settings window, under Update and Security, in theWindows Update section, click on Advanced Options.
- In the Pause Updates section at the bottom of the window, click the Select Date drop-down menu under the Suspend Untilline.
- Choose the date of your convenience. Using the scroll bar in the drop-down menu, you can select up to 35 days maximum.
How to Disable Automatic Restart during Windows 10 Update
One of the most common reasons for users to suspend updates is that Windows asks for a system restart by default by displaying alerts. However, there is a way to make Windows not ask for a restart and postpone the update.
- On the Start menu, click the Settingsshortcut.
- In theWindows Settings window, click on the Update and Securitysection.
- In the Windows Update window, clickAdvanced Options on the right.
- Uncheck the switch under the line Restart this device as soon as possible when a restart is required…
- Then return to the main Windows Update window, by clicking on the back arrow at the top left.
- Click on Change activity hours.
- In this new window, you will be able to configure the period during which you use your PC.
- Uncheck the switch underneath Automatically adjust activity hours to Off.
- Then click on Edit to the right of the line indicating the current activity hours.
- Enter your activity hours in the window, and click Save to confirm.
How to Disable Windows 10 Updates Permanently ?
Although this manipulation is possible, we strongly recommend that you do not use it if you want to ensure the security of your system and your data.
- Click on the Start menuand scroll down the list of installed applications to reach the Windows Administrative Tools folder. Scroll down to view the items and click on Services.
- The Services window opens. Scroll to the bottom to see the Windows Update line.
- Right-click on the Windows Update row and click Properties on the context menu.
- Click the drop-down menu in theStartup Type column and select Disabled.
- Then click the OK button.
- Updates will now be completely disabled. You can check this by going to Windows Update in Windows Settings. You should get an error message if you try to check for an update.
- To re-enable updates, you will need to repeat the previous process by checking Manual in the drop-down menu and then checking for new updates from the Windows Update section.