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Windows 10 Creators Update Will Let Users “Pause” Windows Updates

New option shows up in the leaked Windows 10 build 14997

Dec 28, 2016 12:36 GMT  ·  By
The new feature is part of build 14997
   The new feature is part of build 14997

Microsoft is working on giving Windows 10 users more control of the updates that are shipped to their devices, and the recently-leaked build 14997 comes with a new option that’s created with the same purpose.

Windows 10 build 14997 allows users to “pause” updates, meaning that they can delay the installation of new updates released by Microsoft temporarily.

It’s not a secret that many of the updates that Microsoft released for Windows 10, such as cumulative updates, caused issues on devices for an important number of users, including installation problems and bugs once deployment was successful.

In the case of cumulative updates failing to install, users had no other option than to manually hide updates because their computers were reoffered the same patches over and over again until successful installation took place.

Pausing updates for up to 35 days

Those who are afraid that a certain update might harm their computers have this new option, with Microsoft explaining that users “can temporarily pause updates from being install for up to 35 days.” This means that once an update is released, say on Patch Tuesday, you can wait until the next Patch Tuesday to install it should you think that it might cause problems on your PC.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that all updates will be held back, though, as Microsoft still makes critical updates, such as Windows Defender definition updates, mandatory for install as soon as they are released.

As WinAero first reported, the new option is available in Windows 10 Settings app > Update & security > Windows Update > Advanced options and is expected to be released to insiders in the next public build due in early January - the Windows Insider program is currently on pause itself, as the Windows team is on holiday.

For the moment, however, keep in mind that this feature is still in its early days, and depending on the feedback that Microsoft receives from insiders, it can be improved with more options before it goes live for everyone in the Creators Update.

Thanks for the tip, Jonchu!