Best Windows Update settings for Creators Update?

I just finished upgrading to the Creators Update, and would like to know the best Windows Update settings. I don't want any unexpected restarts, and I would like the option of being asked before installing each update, so I can properly prepare, rather than risk Windows automatically installing it at an inopportune time.

In the last version of Windows that I had (the Anniversary Update), I used the following trick recommended to me by a member of this forum:

dalchina said:

Now you can also take control of Windows Update. This is what I do:
Using (for convenience) Winaero's free tweaker (it gives the full manual equivalent if you don't trust such tools) I have set Windows to notify only. No unexpected downloads or restarts.

Attachment 138189

Read the instructions carefully. It's confusing.
a. Click Check for updates. Wait.
b. Click the button on the tweaker.
c. Check you see this (text at bottom).
Attachment 138190

It worked very well, and Windows always gave me the option to perform updates, rather than automatically downloading them.

However, I do not know whether it is safe to use this method in the Creators Update. Also, even if it is safe, I don't know whether it's my best best option, or whether the Creators Update now provides a better one.

Currently, Windows Update on my computer looks like this (due to the settings caused by the Creators Update):



What would you recommend that I do? Also, what is that message about settings being hidden by my organization about? I have no organization.

EdTittel said:

These days, the notify only method is no longer explicitly available through Settings but through Group Policy.

It was that way during the Anniversary Update as well. The method that I quoted in my OP uses a program that edits the group policy and other settings, and it worked perfectly in the Anniversary Update. However, I do now know whether it's advisable to use it with the Creators Update.

Another workaround is to set your home connection as metered in which case WU won't update automatically (you'll have to check for updates manually, because it won't notify you of pending updates, either -- but if you're a regular here at TenForums, you'll be notified in the News forum every time a new update shows up anyway).

I don't want to do that. I like to be notified when updates are available.

dalchina said:

If you search the forum for
* Some settings
including the *, you will find a few relevant threads and if I recall one specific solution. It has been found that this can occur by default on certain edition of Windows (Education) if I recall- see alphahumeric's posts on this.

The message including a * only occurs for some with the Creator's build.

I'll have to look into that.

What would you recommend regarding update settings? Would you recommend using the same Winaero fix as before, leaving the setting as it is now, or something else?

dalchina said:

I've recently discovered that in the group policy editor there's also a period you can set (180 days in my case, 365 in the case of the Creator's build if I recall).

In the Creators Update, that setting is also available in the Settings app itself (with no need to use the Group Policy Editor). I have now set mine to 180 days (although it allows up to 365).

Regarding the general download/notification setting, I tried setting it to "notify only" with Winaero, but it still says, "We'll ask you to download updates, except when updates are required to keep Windows running smoothly. In that case, we'll automatically download those updates". I guess that's the closest to a "notify only" setting that can be achieved in the Creators Update.