Windows Update has become so sneaky, you could almost miss it's still happening. At the same time, it's become almost impossible to block security patches and driver updates. Microsoft has simplified and automated the Windows Update process at the expense of control.

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

How Does Windows Update Work in Windows 10?

In Windows 10, updates are mandatory and more automated than in previous Windows versions.

Mandatory Security Updates

Windows 10 Windows Update Files Available

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

Meanwhile, Windows 10 Home 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 bordering on bloat and adware. The only time when updates won't auto-download is when the device is on a metered connection.

Shorter Downtime

Windows 10 Windows Update Working on Updates

With Windows 10, Windows Update also became faster because much of the update process happens in the background. For example, Windows will prepare your content for migration and place 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 only have to wait for a few minutes as Windows is restarting to update system-critical files.

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

Related: Windows 10 Slow After an Update? Here's How You Can Fix It

Automated Updates

Windows 10 Windows Update Downloading

In many ways, Windows Update is now easier to use and safer for the average 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 not exactly known for never messing up.

BSoD_in_Windows_8

Let's see how you can take back some control.

The Windows Update Basics

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

How to Check for the Latest Windows Updates

To review your Windows Update settings, head to Settings (using the Windows key + I shortcut), where you might see a Windows Update option right on the start page. Otherwise, select Update & Security > Windows Update. Click Check for updates to see which updates are currently available.

Windows 10 Checking for Updates

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

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

Should You Upgrade to Windows 11?

Windows 10 Windows 11 Update

Anyone running Windows 10 on a compatible computer will see the option to upgrade to Windows 11. Obviously, you don't have to do this. Windows 10 will be supported until 2025. If you do decide to make the jump, be sure to carefully prepare your upgrade to Windows 11.

Related: Is It Worth Upgrading to Windows 11?

Change Active Hours

Windows 10 Windows Update Change Active Hours

The Active Hours feature lets you define up to 18 hours during which Windows Update won't run. On the Windows Update screen, click Change active hours and make your selection.

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

Customize When and How Updates Will Be Installed

Windows 10 Windows Update Advanced Options Update Notifications

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

Windows will now default to your inactive hours to install updates and restart, though it won't force-restart your computer while you're working on it. Instead, it will show a reminder when it's going to restart. We recommend turning On the option Show a notification when your PC requires a restart to finish updating.

You can also enable the option to Download updates over metered connections. We recommend you keep this setting switched Off.

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

Manually Start and Schedule Updates

Windows 10 Windows Update Schedule Restart

When you manually trigger the installation of an update (from Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update), you can either let 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 course, you can also click Restart now to be done with it immediately.

Windows 10 Windows Update Wait an Hour

Note that even 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 mistake, if you happen not to hit the keyboard or move the mouse the second the scheduled time strikes, Windows Update will kick you right out of whatever you 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 option to Pause Updates. Go to Windows Update and click the Pause updates for 7 days option to take a 7-day break.

Windows 10 Windows Update Pause Updates Advanced Options

Under Advanced options, you can adjust the length of the break and pause updates for up to 35 days. After that period, you'll have to install any pending updates before you can take another break from Windows Update.

Related: How to Control Driver Updates in Windows 10

Control Windows Update With the Group Policy Editor

Windows 10 Local Group Policy Editor

Users of Windows 10 Pro, Education, and Enterprise can use the Local Group Policy Editor (LGPE) to fine-tune Windows Update and defer feature updates.

If you're running a relevant Windows edition, open the Windows run command (Windows key + R), type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter. Inside the Local Group Policy Editor, browse to Computer 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 cause issues or has caused you issues and forced you to recover your system (see the section on how to uninstall updates below). Also, note all the other options you have to control Windows Update.

Related: How to Access the Group Policy Editor in Windows Hom

How to Uninstall and Fix Windows Updates

Windows 10 Windows Update View Update History

You cannot prevent the installation of certain updates and due to the way Microsoft now delivers updates, it has also become close to impossible to remove individual updates. But you still have some options.

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

Recovery Options

Windows 10 Recovery Options

Note that you only have 10 days to restore your previous installation. If you wait any longer, Windows will delete the backup files stored under Windows.old and you won't be able to go back.

Uninstall Updates

Windows 10 Control Panel Uninstall Updates

The option to uninstall updates via the Control Panel should eventually 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 10, 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 Delivery Optimization (WUDO)

The settings under Windows Update Delivery Optimization (WUDO) let you 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 first option could potentially be abused to introduce altered updates. When limiting downloads to devices within your local network, however, you can potentially lighten the load on your own internet bandwidth.

Windows 10 Windows Update Delivery Optimization Compact

You'll find this option under Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Advanced options > Delivery Optimization. If you have multiple Windows 10 PCs on your network, it makes sense to allow 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 want to save even more bandwidth, click on Advanced options from the Delivery Optimization page. Here you'll find options to limit how much bandwidth Windows can use while downloading or uploading updates. While you can set a monthly upload limit (when sharing updates with other PCs), Windows won't let you set a download limit. If you stay with default settings, Windows will dynamically optimize the bandwidth allocated to Windows Update.

Set Up 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 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.

Now Windows 10 won't download updates while you'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 you can't risk being 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 simply roll back to when everything was OK.

Windows 10 Create System Restore Point

Go to Windows Search, type system restore, and select Create a restore point. An old-fashioned System Properties window will launch. In the System Protection tab, select your system drive, and click Configure. In the new window, select Turn on system protection, define the Max Usage space you can dedicate, and click OK to save your changes.

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

Ready to Update?

For control freaks, Windows Update is a nightmare. For everyone else, it's a case of "out of sight, out of mind." Designed to operate in the background, Windows Update automatically keeps your system safe and running smoothly.

Sometimes, an update comes with bugs, so be sure to prepare before you install a feature update. And if you don't want to install the next version of Windows 10, let go of Windows 11, remember that you can only escape it for so long. Unless you upgrade to Windows 10 Pro, then you can stay safe a little longer.