How to Pause Updates or Resume Updates for Windows Update in Windows 10


Windows Update keeps Windows 10 updated by downloading and installing the latest updates, drivers, and hotfixes released by Microsoft.

Starting with Windows 10 build 15002, you can temporarily pause updates from being installed for up to 7 days (Insiders) or 35 days (non Insiders). Some updates, like Windows Defender definition updates, will continue to be installed.

Starting with Windows 10 build 18282, Microsoft is making the Pause Updates feature easier to find by surfacing the existing option directly on the ‘Settings > Update and Security > Windows Update’ page. Just like before, when Pause is enabled, some updates, like Windows Defender definition updates, will continue to be installed. In addition, Pause can be enabled for either a pre-defined number of days or until the specific day (day selector is available on Advanced options page).

When updates resume, your device will need to get the latest updates before it can be paused again.

Starting with Windows 10 version 1903, the Windows 10 Home edition will now be able to pause updates.

Starting with the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, you will now also be able to pause both feature and monthly updates for up to 35 days (seven days at a time, up to five times).

See also: Improving the Windows 10 update experience with control, quality and transparency | Microsoft Windows Blogs

This tutorial will show you how to pause updates for up to 7 days (Insiders) or 35 days (non Insiders) and resume updates for Windows 10 Windows Update.

You must be signed in as an administrator to pause or resume updates.

Contents

• Option One: To Pause Updates 7 Days at a Time for up to 35 Days
• Option Two: To Pause Updates until a Selected Date for up to 35 Days
• Option Three: To Resume Updates

OPTION ONE

To Pause Updates 7 Days at a Time for up to 35 Days

1 Open Settings, and click/tap on the Update & security icon.

2 Click/tap on Pause updates for 7 days on the right side up to five times to pause updates seven days at a time for up to 35 days. (see screenshots below)

Each time you press Pause updates for 7 days, you will see the Update will resume on date change to add seven days for up to 35 days.

Windows Insiders will only be able to pause updates for up to 7 days.

3 When finished, you can close Settings if you like.

OPTION TWO

To Pause Updates until a Selected Date for up to 35 Days

1 Open Settings, and click/tap on the Update & security icon.

2 Click/tap on Advanced options on the right side. (see screenshot below)

3 Under Pause updates, select a date you want in the Pause until drop menu. (see screenshot below)

Windows Insiders will only be able to pause updates for up to 7 days.

4 When finished, you can close Settings if you like.

OPTION THREE

To Resume Updates

1 Open Settings, and click/tap on the Update & security icon.

2 Click/tap on the Resume updates button on the right side. (see screenshot below)

3 When finished, you can close Settings if you like.

That's it,
Shawn

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