How to Pause Windows 10 Update

Introduction

Windows 10 updates don’t always come at a great time. Whether you’ve got something you’re working on where you don’t want to risk your computer being updated to the latest version of Windows, or you just don’t want to deal with the Windows update notifications constantly, it’s possible to pause Windows 10 updates for up to 35 days. However, be warned that before you can pause your Windows updates again, you’ll have to install the most recent wave of critical updates. Examples of all instructions in the steps can be seen in both the YouTube video above and the image collection located beneath the steps.

Steps to Pause Windows 10 Updates

1. Right-click the “Windows” icon on the left side of your taskbar to open a menu, and then click “Settings” in the menu. The Windows Settings screen appears.
2. Click “Update and Security” on the Windows Settings screen. The Update and Security screen appears.
3. Click “Windows Update” in the menu on the left side of the screen. The Windows Update screen appears on the right part of the screen.
4. Click “Advanced Options” on the Windows Update screen. The Advanced Options screen appears.
5. Scroll down to the Pause Updates section, and then click to open the drop-down menu beneath “Pause Until.” A list of dates appears, with the furthest date being 35 days out, which is the furthest out that you can pause updates for.
6. Click to select the date you want to pause updates through. Your updates will now be paused for your selected duration. Windows updates can only be paused for up to 35 days, at which time you’ll be forced to install any outstanding critical system updates.