How To Pause Windows Updates

Sometimes Windows updates can crusade enough bug that you just want to turn the whole matter off. Nosotros're going to evidence you lot how to do that, but get-go retrieve this: In general, pausing Windows Updates is a bad idea. The reason is that you can miss out on critical security patches that go along your PC prophylactic from malicious actors. At the time of this writing, for case, Windows users were asked to update to avoid getting hit with the "PrintNightmare" vulnerability.

Unfortunately the patch for "PrintNightmare" acquired some printers to stop working. Microsoft then advised users to roll back the update as one way to get their printers working again. Most a week subsequently, Microsoft released an update that was a ready to the set.

It's bug similar that which inspire people to accept a break from updates, only it'southward not the only reason. Sometimes you but can't deal with updates for an extended period considering of piece of work, travel, or holiday. The thing is you can't stop updates indefinitely. At about y'all can cease updates for 35 days, and past default Microsoft sets updates to pause for but 7 days.

First, we'll show you how to suspension updates for the default period. Then nosotros'll evidence you how to extend paused updates for the amount of time you demand up to the five-week maximum.

Pausing Windows updates

To get started, open the Settings app by either going to the Get-go carte du jour and selecting the cog icon on the left, or borer the Windows Key + I shortcut. Inside the Settings app, go to Update & Security > Windows Update.

windowsupdatenormal1 — Start by selecting to pause Windows 10 updates in the Settings app.

At the pinnacle, right under the Check for updates button, you'll see a section that says Interruption updates for 7 days. Click that, and the updates volition finish for the pre-set period.

windowsupdateadvancedoptions — Click on *Advanced options* to extend the updates pause.

To extend that update for longer than the default, go down a little farther and click Advanced options. Then curl down to the "Pause updates" section and click the Select date drop-downwards bill of fare.

updatepause35days — Updates are now paused for 35 days.

This will prove you lot a choice of dates based on today's engagement, as opposed to generic choices like viii days, ten days, and so on. Choose whichever appointment is nigh appropriate for you, and that's it. Your new option volition be automatically set. You can bank check this past hitting the back button in the upper left corner and returning to the primary Windows Update screen.

During the suspension period y'all volition continue to get new Windows Defender definitions, only that's it. Once your update catamenia runs out, you will accept to download and install all the recommended updates you skipped before existence able to break updates again.

Disabling updates

There is another method you tin use that is a footling more than involved, and it will disable updates. Again, this is not permanent, and in that location's no real set time for how long this feature will work. Information technology may revert on a reboot, for example. Hit Windows Key + R to open the Run utility. Then blazon in the entry box services.msc and hit Enter on your keyboard, or clickOK.

windowsservices — The Services window in Windows 10.

This opens the Services window. Scroll downwards until you see the entry chosen Windows Update and double-click it. In the next window that opens, click the drib-downwards carte labeled "Startup type" and select Disabled. Click Utilize and OK, close the smaller window, then close the Services window, and you're done.

Remember, this will not disable Windows 10 updates indefinitely, and information technology can be reset over time after a reboot or other upshot.

Pausing updates isn't the best strategy for home users, but it's easy plenty to set up for those times that you need it.