How to Disable Safeguard Holds for Feature Updates on Windows 10
Feature updates are new versions of Windows 10 that are released via Windows Update twice a year usually around spring and fall.
Microsoft uses quality and compatibility data to identify issues that might cause a Windows 10 feature update to fail or roll back. When Microsoft finds such an issue, Microsoft might apply holds to the updating service to prevent affected devices from installing the update in order to safeguard them from these experiences. Microsoft also use holds when a customer, a partner, or Microsoft internal validation finds an issue that would cause severe impact (for example, rollback of the update, data loss, loss of connectivity, or loss of key functionality) and when a workaround is not immediately available.
Safeguard holds prevent a device with a known issue from being offered a new operating system version. Microsoft will renew the offering once a fix is found and verified. Microsoft uses holds to ensure customers have a successful experience as their device moves to a new version of Windows 10.
The lifespan of holds varies depending on the time required to investigate and fix an issue. During this time Microsoft works diligently to procure, develop, and validate a fix and then offer it to affected devices. We monitor quality and compatibility data to confirm that a fix is complete before releasing the hold. Once Microsoft releases the hold, Windows Update will resume offering new operating system versions to devices.
Safeguard holds only affect devices that use the Window Update service for updates.
If necessary, you can opt out of safeguard protections by using the Disable safeguards for Feature Updates Group Policy. This policy is available to Windows Update for Business devices running Windows 10 version 1809 or later that have installed its October 2020 security update (not to be confused with the Windows 10 October 2020 Update).
See also:
- Safeguard holds | Microsoft Docs
- Opt out of safeguard holds | Microsoft Docs
- Windows 10 release information | Microsoft Docs
- Windows 10 update servicing cadence | Windows IT Pro Blog
This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable safeguard holds for feature updates on Windows 10.
Opting out of a safeguard hold can put devices at risk from known performance issues.
Microsoft recommends opting out only in an IT environment and for validation purposes. You can also validate an upcoming Windows 10 feature update version without the safeguards being applied by using the Release Preview channel of the Windows Insider Program for Business.
Disabling safeguards does not guarantee your device will be able to successfully update. The update might still fail and will likely result in a bad experience since you are bypassing the protection against known issues.You must be signed in as an administrator to enable or disable safeguards for feature updates.
After a device installs a new Windows 10 version, the Disable safeguards for Feature Updates Group Policy will automatically revert to “not configured” (aka: safeguards enabled) even if it was previously enabled (aka: safeguards disabled). Microsoft does this to ensure the admin is consciously disabling Microsoft’s default protection from known issues for each new feature update.
Contents
- Option One: Enable or Disable Safeguards for Feature Updates in Local Group Policy Editor
- Option Two: Enable or Disable Safeguards for Feature Updates using a REG File
EXAMPLE: Safeguard hold for feature update in Windows Update on Windows 10
On devices that use Windows Update (but not Windows Update for Business), the Windows Update page in the Settings app displays a message stating that an update is on its way, but not ready for the device. Instead of the option to download and install the update, users will see the message below. If you see this message, it means one or more holds affect your device. When the issue is fixed and the update is safe to install, Microsoft will release the hold and the update can resume safely.
The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.
All editions can use Option Two.
1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).
2 In the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor, click/tap on to expand Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Windows Update, and open Windows Update for Business. (see screenshot below)
3 In the right pane of Windows Update for Business, double click/tap on the Disable safeguards for Feature Updates policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)
4 Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you want.
A) Select (dot) Not Configured or Disabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below step 6)
Not Configured is the default setting.
7 You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor window if you like.
The downloadable .reg files below will add and modify the DWORD value in the registry key below.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
DisableWUfBSafeguards DWORD
0 or (delete) = Enable
1 = Disable
1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Enable_safeguards_for_Feature_Updates_on_Windows_10.reg
Download
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Disable_safeguards_for_Feature_Updates_on_Windows_10.reg
Download
4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 Restart the computer to apply.
8 If you like, you can now delete the downloaded .reg file.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Check for and Install Windows Updates in Windows 10
- How to Enable or Disable Automatic Updates for Windows Update in Windows 10
- How to Pause Updates or Resume Updates for Windows Update in Windows 10
- How to Defer Feature and Quality Updates in Windows 10
- How to Specify Target Feature Update Version in Windows 10
- How to Update to Latest Version of Windows 10 using Windows 10 Update Assistant