Windows Update has go so sneaky, you could most miss information technology'south still happening. At the same time, it'southward become about impossible to block security patches and commuter updates. Microsoft has simplified and automated the Windows Update process at the expense of control.

Let us prove you lot how you lot can still customize Windows Update to your needs.

How Does Windows Update Work in Windows 10?

In Windows ten, updates are mandatory and more than automated than in previous Windows versions.

Mandatory Security Updates

Windows 10 Windows Update Files Available

Some Windows 10 editions, such as Windows 10 Professional person or Enterprise, include the option to defer upgrades for an extended time. Security updates, still, are excluded from this option; anybody receives them automatically.

Meanwhile, Windows 10 Dwelling house users have to accept all updates and upgrades that Windows downloads and installs in the background, often combined with a scheduled reboot. Security patches, new features, and settings changes are force-fed alike, some adjoining on bloat and adware. The only time when updates won't car-download is when the device is on a metered connection.

Shorter Reanimation

Windows 10 Windows Update Working on Updates

With Windows ten, Windows Update also became faster because much of the update process happens in the background. For instance, Windows will ready your content for migration and identify the new Os into a temporary working directory before it reboots to install updates. So while the average Windows 10 update still takes about an hour, you might just have to wait for a few minutes equally Windows is restarting to update organization-critical files.

Should you lot notice a performance drop prior to the deployment of an update, information technology may be because Windows is busy downloading and initiating the update. And one time you lot're booting back into your system, Windows will continue to wrap up the update.

Automated Updates

Windows 10 Windows Update Downloading

In many ways, Windows Update is now easier to apply and safer for the boilerplate person. Unless a user is willing and able to use advanced tools, they won't miss another security update. From a safety perspective, automated updates are a blessing. On the other hand, users are at the mercy of Microsoft, a company non exactly known for never messing up.

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Let's see how you tin can have back some command.

The Windows Update Nuts

Windows Update can work entirely in the background. It will only require your attention when it'south time to reboot. With the right settings, however, you won't even detect that anymore.

How to Check for the Latest Windows Updates

To review your Windows Update settings, caput to Settings (using the Windows key + I shortcut), where you lot might see a Windows Update option right on the commencement page. Otherwise, select Update & Security > Windows Update. Click Cheque for updates to encounter which updates are currently bachelor.

Windows 10 Checking for Updates

You lot might come to this screen and see updates waiting to be installed. That'southward because Windows regularly checks for updates in the background. Click the Restart Now button when Windows and you are gear up to apply the updates. If y'all're running for a reasonably upward-to-appointment Windows 10 version, you should have to wait no longer than a few minutes before y'all're back on your desktop.

If you lot ever take need, you can also install updates manually through the Microsoft Update catalog.

Should You Upgrade to Windows xi?

Windows 10 Windows 11 Update

Anyone running Windows 10 on a compatible computer will meet the option to upgrade to Windows 11. Obviously, you don't have to do this. Windows 10 will be supported until 2025. If you practise determine to make the leap, be certain to advisedly prepare your upgrade to Windows xi.

Modify Agile Hours

Windows 10 Windows Update Change Active Hours

The Active Hours feature lets you define upward to eighteen hours during which Windows Update won't run. On the Windows Update screen, click Change agile hours and brand your selection.

This is the closest that Home users will get to stopping Windows Update, curt of using a metered connection or disabling their computer'due south internet access.

Customize When and How Updates Will Be Installed

Windows 10 Windows Update Advanced Options Update Notifications

Nether Advanced options, you can customize how updates are installed. Previously, Windows 10 offered a Notify to schedule restart choice in this window.

Windows will at present default to your inactive hours to install updates and restart, though it won't force-restart your computer while y'all're working on it. Instead, it volition testify a reminder when information technology's going to restart. We recommend turning On the option Testify a notification when your PC requires a restart to terminate updating.

You tin too enable the pick to Download updates over metered connections. Nosotros recommend you keep this setting switched Off.

The option to Receive updates for other Microsoft products when you update Windows lets yous receive updates for Microsoft applications you lot have installed, such as Microsoft Office or Edge.

Manually First and Schedule Updates

Windows 10 Windows Update Schedule Restart

When you manually trigger the installation of an update (from Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update), yous can either allow Windows schedule a restart outside your active hours or schedule a restart time yourself. You can schedule the reboot up to 6 days in the future. Of grade, you can also click Restart now to be washed with it immediately.

Windows 10 Windows Update Wait an Hour

Note that fifty-fifty if you manually schedule a restart time, Windows won't force reboot when it turns out you're busy using your computer at the selected time. It will offer to delay the restart. Though make no error, if you happen non to striking the keyboard or move the mouse the 2nd the scheduled fourth dimension strikes, Windows Update will kick you correct out of whatever you lot were doing.

How to Pause and Defer Feature Updates

Windows 10 Windows Update Pause Updates

The option to defer Windows 10 updates is no longer available through Windows Update. Instead, you will see an selection to Break Updates. Become to Windows Update and click the Intermission updates for 7 days option to take a 7-day break.

Windows 10 Windows Update Pause Updates Advanced Options

Nether Advanced options, you can adjust the length of the break and pause updates for up to 35 days. Later on that period, you'll have to install any pending updates before y'all tin take another interruption from Windows Update.

Command Windows Update With the Grouping Policy Editor

Windows 10 Local Group Policy Editor

Users of Windows ten Pro, Didactics, and Enterprise can use the Local Grouping Policy Editor (LGPE) to fine-tune Windows Update and defer feature updates.

If y'all're running a relevant Windows edition, open up the Windows run command (Windows primal + R), type gpedit.msc, and hitting Enter. Within the Local Group Policy Editor, browse to Reckoner Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Windows Update for Business and double-click the Select when Feature Updates are received entry.

This setting allows you to defer updates for up to 365 days. Pausing or delaying updates is useful in case an upgrade is known to crusade bug or has acquired you issues and forced y'all to recover your system (meet the section on how to uninstall updates below). Also, note all the other options you have to command Windows Update.

How to Uninstall and Set Windows Updates

Windows 10 Windows Update View Update History

You cannot prevent the installation of certain updates and due to the manner Microsoft now delivers updates, it has as well become close to impossible to remove individual updates. But you all the same accept some options.

Should a characteristic update have gone terribly incorrect, you can disengage that installation. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Recovery options. Hither you can Uninstall updates via the Windows Control Panel or access Recovery options.

Recovery Options

Windows 10 Recovery Options

Note that you only have ten days to restore your previous installation. If you wait any longer, Windows volition delete the backup files stored under Windows.sometime and yous won't be able to become back.

Uninstall Updates

Windows 10 Control Panel Uninstall Updates

The option to uninstall updates via the Control Console should somewhen disappear. Presently, however, the Uninstall updates option still launches the Control Panel window and you'll find a list of updates you can uninstall.

Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows 10 Windows Update Troubleshooter

Should you run into issues with Windows Update, the troubleshooter is your last resort. Head to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters and select Windows Update and click Run the troubleshooter.

Windows Update Network Settings

In Windows ten, Windows Update offers easy-to-manage network-related settings that you should finetune to avoid exceeding your bandwidth limit or incurring extra charges on a mobile data plan.

Set Windows Update Commitment Optimization (WUDO)

The settings nether Windows Update Delivery Optimization (WUDO) let y'all give Windows permission to download updates from other PCs; either anywhere on the internet, which preserves Microsoft server capacity, or on your local network. The start choice could potentially be abused to innovate contradistinct updates. When limiting downloads to devices within your local network, even so, y'all can potentially lighten the load on your ain internet bandwidth.

Windows 10 Windows Update Delivery Optimization Compact

Yous'll detect this option under Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Avant-garde options > Delivery Optimization. If you have multiple Windows x PCs on your network, it makes sense to let downloads from PCs on your local network.

Limit the Bandwidth Available to Windows Update

Windows 10 Windows Update Delivery Optimization Advanced Options Compact

If you lot want to salve even more than bandwidth, click on Advanced options from the Delivery Optimization page. Here you'll discover options to limit how much bandwidth Windows can use while downloading or uploading updates. While you can set up a monthly upload limit (when sharing updates with other PCs), Windows won't let you set a download limit. If y'all stay with default settings, Windows volition dynamically optimize the bandwidth allocated to Windows Update.

Gear up Upwards a Metered Connection

Windows 10 Network and Internet Metered Connection

On Windows 10, Windows Update won't run if you're on a metered connection. To ensure Windows won't waste your limited bandwidth, open up Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi, connect to the metered connection, maybe a Wi-Fi hotspot you're tethering from your mobile, then select the network, and toggle Set as metered connection to On.

At present Windows 10 won't download updates while y'all're connected to this network. This is also a great way to defer Windows Update entirely.

Enable System Restore

Uninstalling and hiding troublesome updates may not be sufficient. If yous can't risk existence surprised by a faulty update, we strongly recommend enabling System Restore. In case an update didn't go so smoothly, you will be able to merely gyre back to when everything was OK.

Windows 10 Create System Restore Point

Go to Windows Search, type organization restore, and select Create a restore betoken. An old-fashioned Organisation Properties window volition launch. In the Organization Protection tab, select your organisation drive, and click Configure. Inorthward the new window, select Turn on organisation protection, ascertain the Max Usage space you can dedicate, and click OK to salve your changes.

Back in the previous window, you can at present manually Create your offset restore point. Windows will at present create new restore points whenever your system goes through changes, which includes the installation of security and feature updates.

Ready to Update?

For command freaks, Windows Update is a nightmare. For anybody else, it's a example of "out of sight, out of mind." Designed to operate in the background, Windows Update automatically keeps your arrangement prophylactic and running smoothly.

Sometimes, an update comes with bugs, and then be sure to set up before you install a characteristic update. And if you don't desire to install the next version of Windows 10, permit go of Windows 11, remember that y'all can only escape it for so long. Unless y'all upgrade to Windows 10 Pro, then you can stay safe a little longer.

Windows ten Home vs. Pro: Do You Demand to Upgrade?

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