Before you start
- Windows 11 or Windows 10
- Windows Pro for Group Policy options
Method 1 Pause updates
-
Step 1: Open Windows Update
Go to Settings > Windows Update.
-
Step 2: Choose a pause length
Next to Pause updates, choose 1 to 5 weeks. Windows 10: Advanced options > Pause until (up to 35 days).
-
Step 3: Resume later
When the pause ends, Windows installs pending updates before you can pause again.
Method 2 Stop updates from interrupting you
-
Step 1: Set active hours
In Windows Update > Advanced options > Active hours, set when you usually use your PC. Windows won’t restart during those hours.
-
Step 2: Get notified before restarts
In Advanced options, turn on Notify me when a restart is required to finish updating.
-
Step 3: Turn off “get the latest updates as soon as they’re available”
Leave this off on the main Windows Update page to avoid optional early feature updates.
Method 3 Delay downloads with a metered connection
-
Step 1: Open your network
Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) and click your network’s properties.
-
Step 2: Turn on Metered connection
Windows now downloads only critical updates, which helps on limited data plans. In Windows Update > Advanced options, keep Download updates over metered connections off.
Method 4 Pro editions: Group Policy
Install updates yourself at least once a month, ideally right after “Patch Tuesday” (the second Tuesday).
-
Step 1: Open Group Policy Editor
Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc.
-
Step 2: Find the policy
Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage end user experience > Configure Automatic Updates.
-
Step 3: Choose notify
Set it to Enabled with 2 – Notify for download and auto install. Windows tells you about updates but waits for you to install them.
Troubleshooting
An update keeps failing
Run Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update, free up disk space, and try again.
A specific update broke something
Uninstall it from Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates, then pause updates until a fix arrives.
Frequently asked questions
Can I disable the Windows Update service?
Disabling it in services.msc often gets reversed by Windows, can break the Microsoft Store and Defender updates, and leaves you unprotected. Not recommended.
Do I need feature updates?
Each Windows version is supported for a limited time. Staying on a supported version is required to keep getting security fixes.
Summary
Rather than stopping updates forever, pause them when needed, set active hours, use a metered connection, or set notify before install on Pro. Then install updates on your schedule each month.
