Mastering Windows Updates: How to Delay and Control Your Experience

Are you the kind of Windows user who feels an involuntary chill upon hearing the words "Windows Update"? You wouldn't be alone—many users have their wintry tales filled with horror stories of buggy updates ushering in unexpected performance issues or, heaven forbid, the infamous Blue Screen of Death. If you're one of the cautious souls reluctant to plunge headfirst into the latest patches or feature updates unleashed by Microsoft, fear not! There are viable strategies to delay these updates and assert a little control over your digital destiny.

The Update Dilemma: When Features Turn Frustrating​

It's no secret that Microsoft releases regular updates for Windows 10 and Windows 11. While these updates often bring along shiny new features and security enhancements, they can also carry their own set of gremlins. Imagine cranking up your Windows 11 machine post-update only to be greeted by a full-blown Blue Screen of Death—this occurrence followed a major update in August 2023. Or consider the unfortunate Windows 10 users who discovered that a July 2022 security patch rendered their printers useless. These updates, however well-intentioned, can turn into major disruptions.
Historically, Microsoft forced updates onto users with little warning, leaving many feeling like unwilling subjects in a tech experiment. However, the landscape has shifted since 2019. Now, users have some breathing room. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel—a chance to delay updates until they feel more confident about inviting them into their systems.

Your Options for Delaying Windows Updates​

Short-Term Pauses​

For those who want a quick fix, you can pause updates for short durations. Both Windows 10 and 11 allow you to hit the pause button for a brief period:

• Windows 10: Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click on Pause updates for 7 days. You can repeat this action up to five times, accumulating a total of 35 days.
• Windows 11: The process is similar, with an option to pause for up to 35 days after selecting how long you'd like to postpone the updates.

For those not ready to restart the update clock, the Advanced Options menu in Windows allows you to select a specific pause date. Talk about control!

Define Your Active Hours​

Another way to sidestep unwanted interruptions is by defining your "active hours." This setting tells Windows when you're likely to be using your computer, thus when it shouldn't install updates:

• Windows 10/11: Access the Active Hours settings within the Windows Update section. You can set these hours automatically based on your usage or manually enter specific times when you're active. Bear in mind, updates will still occur after hours, so this is more about maintaining your workflow undisturbed.

The Big Guns: Delaying Updates for Up to a Year​

Now, for the power users or businesses who want to take it a step further, both Windows 10 and 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions give you the ability to delay updates for up to 365 days. Yes, that’s right—a year’s worth of reprieve!

1. Accessing the Group Policy Editor:
   • Type “group” in the Start menu, and click on Edit Group Policy.
   • Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Windows Update for Business.
2. Choosing Your Delay Settings:
   • You have two key options here:
     • Select When Preview Builds and Feature Updates Are Received (for major version upgrades)
     • Select When Quality Updates Are Received (for regular security patches)

While delaying quality updates may expose your system to vulnerabilities, you can thoughtfully delay feature updates by double-clicking the relevant option, enabling it, and entering the number of days you wish to defer.

Best Practices​

Defer your updates wisely. Use this feature for critical machines where you need stability and perhaps test updates on secondary systems before applying them company-wide. That way, you can be the first line of defence against potential pitfalls.

Rolling Back: A Safety Net​

Should you muster the courage to install an update only to find it wreaks havoc on your setup, Windows provides mechanisms to roll back changes. These options can save you from the dreaded return to an earlier operating state until Microsoft rectifies any unstable updates.

Conclusion​

In a perfect world, updates would always work flawlessly. But until that hopeful day arrives, being able to delay pesky Windows updates is a breath of fresh air for wary users. Whether you’re more comfortable taking short pauses or extending the wait for feature updates, reclaiming some control can transform the often nerve-wracking update experience into a manageable one. Think of it as your personal buffer against the whims of Windows, letting you dictate when you welcome new changes to your system.
So, the next time you feel the chill of an impending update, remember you have options. Step up, hit pause, and let Microsoft know that you’ll engage when you’re good and ready. Happy computing!

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Source: PCMag Greece How to Delay Windows Updates and Tell Microsoft to Leave You Alone