Can I still download updates with the "hold 35 days" option checked?

Benie · 21 Sep 2017

See the title. I don't have Windows 10 (yet), but this "hold updates for 35 days" thing (as Microsoft's "attempt" of allowing the user to download Windows Updates when they choose)was brought to my attention.
And so, I wonder if this is possible. With this "hold for 35 days", can I still install updates when I'm ready (instead of them being forced down my throat 35 days later(even if I'm not ready for them))?

This is one of the major deciding factors of myself upgrading to 10; the whole "forced updates" fiasco.

dalchina · 21 Sep 2017

If you use the features I describe below you will have control of updates.

It is also true that unless you know what you are doing and make use of a number of features that give you control of updates that you can find your PC restarting when you don't want it to- a rather absurd situation.

You can have control of updates when you know what you're doing.

I have Windows update set to Notify me before downloading. This means I get advice of a pending update, can view what it is, and apply it when I want to.

This can be set by registry edit or group policy or using Winaero's free tweaker and is also described in a tenforums tutorial.

Can I still download updates with the "hold 35 days" option checked?-1.jpg

Win 10 Pro up allows you to Defer feature updates. That means major build delivery is delayed.
There is a further delay period of up to 180 days which you can specify.

Settings allows you to specify Active Hours - a consecutive period of up to 18 hours when you will not find your PC restarting unexpectedly because of an update.

(Should not be necessary if you have updates set to notify, except that MS may possibly deliver critical updates anyway from the Creator's Build on).

35 days: e.g.

Please also see relevant tutorials here on Windows updates.

cereberus · 21 Sep 2017

The forced updates is not a fiasco.

Windows 10 uses a new model - Windows as a Service. Any build has a life expectancy of 18 months before no longer supported.

More importantly, it is crucial to security these days to keep up to date. Too many people turned of updates and ended up with viruses etc. that could have been avoided if on an up to date Windows 10 version.

The recent wannacry ransomware attacked mostly Windows 7 users and even when MS put prompt patches out, many did not get it as they disabled updates.

In simple terms, there are a lot of evil people attacking Windows, so it is entirely in your interest to keep updated.

indianacarnie · 22 Sep 2017

Its always a good thing to stay updated if you're using Windows. Easier to go back and change whatever few setting/app.'s that MAY get messed up with an update than trying to dig out a virus or reinstall because of a missing update. See Equifax!

dalchina · 22 Sep 2017

Agree- apply updates- it's just the practical timing.

Major build upgrades are another matter- for example, you may need to wait for a program to be updated to become compatible. Plus an upgrade takes a significant time - when you can't use your PC. Further, I much prefer to update my disk image before applying an upgrade in a controlled manner.

Then you need to protect yourself from unexpected restarts.