How to Temporarily Prevent a Windows Update from Installing

Windows updates are essential for security and performance improvements. It’s set to download and install automatically whenever your computer is connected to Microsoft server. Windows updates bring new features, latest bug fixes and security enhancements, however, sometimes it can introduce issues, compatibility problems, or unwanted changes. If you are looing to temporarily prevent a specific Windows update from installing, there are several methods to block it. This article explores effective ways to pause or delay Windows updates in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

How to Prevent a Windows Update from Installing

There are times you may notice a specific update causes system crashes, performance issues, or software incompatibility. New updates may install drivers that are not fully compatible with your hardware. In such situation, you can follow the steps below to temporarily prevent a specific Windows update from installing.

First remove the problematic update

Whenever you come to the situation where an update causes the issue,

• Open the installed updates list from the control panel,
• Type update in the top-right search box, and choose View installed updates from the result.
• After these procedures, you can see the updates currently installed on the computer.
•  Then select the problematic update, right-click and uninstall.

Use the Windows Update Show/Hide Troubleshooter

Now, to temporarily prevent the update from being reinstalled until an updated fix is available, download the “Show or hide updates” troubleshooter from the Microsoft Download Center here.

This will download a small file named “wushowhide.diagcab” Double click on it to launch the troubleshooter. Then click Next to proceed

The tool starts checking for Windows 10 updates, app updates and driver updates. After a few seconds, it ends the search process and you get two options to choose from: Hide updates or Show hidden updates. To block one or more Windows, app or driver updates from being installed in Windows 10, select Hide updates.

The tool shows you a list of available updates that can be blocked.

Keep in mind that this app does not block all Windows 10 updates, only those that Microsoft allows you to block. Click or tap to select each update that you want to hide and block from installing, then click Next.

That’s all the “Show or hide updates” tool take care of the rest of the things. As such, they will be skipped from the installation on your Windows 10 device. When done, the tool provides you with a list of the updates that were blocked.

Pause Windows Updates via Settings

Windows allows users to pause updates for a limited period.

• Open Settings using Windows + I.
• Navigate to Update & Security > Windows Update.
• Click Pause updates for 7 days.
• If you need a longer delay, go to Advanced Options and choose a specific pause date.
• To resume updates, click Resume updates anytime.

Set a Metered Connection

Setting your internet connection as metered prevents Windows from automatically downloading updates.

• Open Settings (Win + I).
• Go to Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.
• Select your current network and toggle on Set as metered connection.
• Windows will delay non-essential updates until a non-metered connection is available.

Disable the Windows Update Service

If you want to temporarily stop all updates, you can disable the Windows Update service.

• Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
• Scroll down and find Windows Update.
• Double-click it, change Startup type to Disabled, and click Stop.
• Click Apply and OK.
• To re-enable updates, set the startup type back to Automatic (Delayed Start).

Block Driver Updates via Group Policy (Pro Editions Only)

If a specific driver update is causing issues, you can block driver updates using Group Policy.

• Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
• Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update.
• Double-click Do not include drivers with Windows Updates.
• Select Enabled, then click Apply and OK.
• Restart your computer for changes to take effect.

Use Registry Editor to Block Updates (For Advanced Users)

If you’re comfortable modifying the Windows Registry, you can block updates manually.

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

3. Right-click the WindowsUpdate key and create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named DisableOSUpgrade

4. Set its value to 1 and restart your computer.

To re-enable updates, delete the DisableOSUpgrade entry or change its value to 0.

Also read

• Windows 10 update failed to install error code 0xc000021a
• Stop Windows 10 Update from Installing Updates Automatically
• How to Fix Printer Problems in Windows 10
• Complete Review on Microsoft Windows 10 Operating System