Delay Update Question

Thanks to the last botched Win10 update I figured I'd follow instructions to set a delay period. I set it to 100 days even though I really need way less than that. It's my understanding I've killed the auto update for 100 days.

But... suppose I check for updates during that period? If there is one will it start to download? Or will it ask me IF I want to and allow me the 'no' option?

Just curious.

There are two delays you can set by days in Windows 10 Pro, one for Features Updates (eg 1809) and the other for Quality Updates (cumulative updates, etc.). These act independently for their respective types of updates, but both work the same way.

Let's assume it's the Quality Updates you have delayed for 100 days. This doesn't mean auto updates have been stopped for 100 days, it means that an update has to have been available for at least 100 days before windows update will download it, either automatically or when you check for updates. Each quality update will individually be delayed for 100 days from the date it is published. You will continue to get the regular 'Patch Tuesday' monthly cumulative updates, you'll just get them 100 days later than the rest of us.

Windows Update - Defer Feature and Quality Updates in Windows 10 | Tutorials

There is an option to pause all updates, but that's a different part of the update settings.

Pause Updates or Resume Updates for Windows Update in Windows 10 | Tutorials

I set defer feature updates to 365 days to stop the bug prone feature updates on first release. I then set the delay to zero when the worst bugs have been fixed judging by reports on the forum to allow the PC to update. I then set the delay back to 365 days. I leave quality updates to zero days since these don't usually give problems.

Note if you defer feature updates then you don't get the end of month quality updates but do get the Patch Tuesday updates for reasons only known to MS.

Steve C said:

Note if you defer feature updates then you don't get the end of month quality updates but do get the Patch Tuesday updates for reasons only known to MS.

It does seem to be an unexpected side-effect. It seems to be associated with the way MS deliver these additional CUs through windows update.

With no delays set in Pro, or if you have Home, then the automatic check by windows update will only see and download the 'Patch Tuesday' CU. Any subsequent CUs for the month are stated by MS as not containing any new security fixes.

The “C” and “D” releases occur the third and fourth weeks of the month, respectively. These preview releases contain only non-security updates, and are intended to provide visibility and testing of the planned non-security fixes targeted for the next month’s Update Tuesday release. These updates are then shipped as part of the following month’s “B” or Update Tuesday release.

Windows 10 update servicing cadence - Windows 10 Forums

They are just previews of quality fixes to be included in the next 'Patch Tuesday' CU. It would be silly to force a restart on an unsuspecting user three or four times a month just for these, so these CUs are marked on the update server to only be seen and downloaded by windows update if you click 'Check for updates'.

Thanks for all the responses folks.