Since this is intended to be a short-term solution - a “pause” in taking updates, if you will - we’ll also re-enable the service to start it once again.įinally, it’s important to realize that this is only about Windows Update (also referred to as Microsoft Update, when all Microsoft applications are included), and not any other update mechanisms used by other programs. The basic approach will be to stop the Windows Update service and then disable it so it can’t be automatically started by subsequent automated update attempts. Unfortunately, while Windows 10 Professional has some control over when updates are installed, Windows 10 Home has no such option.

The ability to disable Windows Update - even temporarily - can be an important step in getting on with your work while you await updated updates that no longer cause problems.

Unfortunately, in recent months we’ve seen Windows Updates cause problems on a small number 1 of machines. Letting Windows Update do its thing automatically, without having to think about it at all, is the best, safest way for the vast majority of Windows 10 users. I believe strongly that keeping your machine as up to date as possible is an important part of keeping yourself safe online. Before I begin, I want to be very clear that this is not something I recommend.