The Microsoft Spring, or May 2019 Update is here for those of us in the Windows Insider Program, so I got my May update. (It’s being rolled out shortly to everyone.) One of the new features is the ability to pause the download of both feature and monthly updates for up to 35 days. The way it works is that it pauses seven days at a time, up to five times.
I noticed a new icon on my laptop and hovered my mouse over it and found it is the new notification that updates are available and what do I want to do with them. (The new icon is the one on the right.)
Previous Windows 10 Updates
The way it worked before was that when updates were available, they were downloaded to our computers and we had some leeway as to when the restart would be.
Even though the restart could be scheduled, we HAD to get those updates – they were already downloaded to our machines.
May Windows 10 Update Process (New)
Now, when updates are ready, we’ll get a notification and we can decide whether to download it right away or click on the delay to delay the download for seven days at a time. We can use the delay feature up to 5 times for a total of a 35-day delay. Then those updates must be downloaded and installed.
This feature will be available for those with Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Professional. Previously, there was a delay feature, but only for Win 10 Pro. Here’s the Windows 10 update experience blog announcement from Microsoft if you’d like to read it.
How to Delay Windows 10 Updates (Windows 10 May Update)
From the Windows start menu (the Windows box/icon in the lower left of your computer screen), type ‘Windows Updates’ and click.
Then you’ll see this screen (if you have updates, that is). The first thing you’ll notice is the ‘Pause updates for 7 days’. That’s the new feature.
Of course, you can elect to go ahead now with the restart if you choose. But we’re going to click on ‘Advanced Options’ to see what we can do.
Looking at Windows 10 Update Delay – Advanced Options
Here’s where we get down to nitty gritty. You’ll see all the options. The first one I’m not sure what it means, but I think it means other updates you would get that are NOT Windows 10. They could be driver updates and updates for other software you might have.
I don’t usually worry about metered connections, but keep it off just in case I’m mobile.
I have the restart ASAP turned off too, so I can be in more control.
The Notify me choice IS turned on as I want to know.
Then we get to the featured ‘Pause Updates’ choice.
Pause Windows 10 Updates for 7 Days
Click the drop-down arrow and you’ll see the days and dates for seven more days and you can choose one of these.
That’s it – choose a date and that’s when you’ll get your download. Until then, if you check your update screen, you’ll see a message that it can’t/won’t check for updates while updates are paused.
Summary of Windows 10 Pause Update Feature
This new pause your update feature came about because of the huge problems Microsoft had with the Windows 10 Fall update of 2018. There were many big time problems then – to the point where Microsoft actually pulled the update for a couple of months.
People have been asking for more control over their updates for many years. Microsoft finally listened and now we have some choices!
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