Why you might want to pause Windows Update

Windows Update runs automatically in the background and restarts your computer without warning. If you are in the middle of work, a presentation, or a long task, an unexpected restart can cost you hours. You can turn off automatic updates temporarily or permanently, depending on what you need.

Most people do not need to disable updates entirely. A better approach is to pause them for a set number of days — usually 7, 14, or 35 days — so your computer still gets security fixes but on your schedule. If you do turn off updates completely, your computer becomes more vulnerable to viruses and malware, so this should be temporary.

Key Takeaways

  • You can pause Windows Update for up to 35 days through Settings without disabling it permanently.
  • Pausing updates lets your computer stay protected while giving you control over when restarts happen.
  • Turning off updates completely requires changing settings in Group Policy or Services, and leaves your computer at risk.
  • After you pause updates, you should manually check for and install them before the pause period ends.
  • Windows Home edition has fewer pause options than Windows Pro or Enterprise, so the steps differ slightly.

Pause updates for 7 to 35 days (the safest option)

Pausing is safer than disabling because your computer still receives security patches — it just waits until you choose to install them. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then click the Settings app. Go to System in the left menu, then click Windows Update.

Click Pause for 7 days or Advanced options to choose a longer pause period. If you see Advanced options, click it and look for Pause updates — you can select 7, 14, or 35 days from a dropdown menu. Your computer will not check for updates during this time, and it will not restart on its own.

When the pause period is almost over, you will see a notification. At that point, go back to Settings and click Resume updates to let Windows check for and install any patches you missed. This approach works on Windows Home, Pro, and Enterprise editions.

Disable updates permanently on Windows Pro or Enterprise

If you need updates off for longer than 35 days, you can disable the Windows Update service. This is permanent until you turn it back on, and it leaves your computer unprotected. Only do this if you have a specific reason and plan to re-enable updates soon.

Press the Windows key and type "services.msc", then press Enter. A window called Services will open with a long list of programs. Scroll down to find Windows Update and click it once. Right-click on Windows Update and select Properties.

In the Properties window, find the dropdown that says Startup type and change it from "Automatic" to Disabled. Click explore, then OK. Windows Update will no longer run in the background. To turn it back on later, return to this same window, change Startup type back to "Automatic", and click explore.

Disable updates on Windows Home using Group Policy

Windows Home does not have the Services window that Pro and Enterprise use. Instead, you can use Group Policy Editor, though it requires a few more steps. Press the Windows key and type "gpedit.msc", then press Enter. If you see an error saying the program cannot be found, your version of Windows Home does not support Group Policy, and you will need to use the pause method instead.

If Group Policy Editor opens, navigate to Computer Configuration in the left panel, then Administrative Templates, then Windows Components, then Windows Update. Look for an entry called Configure Automatic Updates and double-click it.

A window will open with radio button options. Select Disabled, then click explore and OK. Windows Update will turn off. To turn it back on, return to the same location, select Not Configured, and click explore.

Stop restart notifications and forced restarts

Even when updates are paused, Windows may still show notifications about pending restarts. You can delay these notifications by going to Settings, clicking System, then Notifications, and scrolling down to find App notifications. Look for Windows Update in the list and toggle it off.

If your computer is restarting before you have finished pausing updates, the pause may not have taken effect yet. Restart your computer once manually, then check Settings again to confirm the pause is active. If updates are still forcing restarts, disable the Windows Update service using the steps above.

Turn updates back on when you are ready

Leaving updates off permanently is risky. Plan to turn them back on within a few weeks. The longer your computer goes without security patches, the more vulnerable it becomes to ransomware, viruses, and data theft.

To resume updates, go back to Settings and click Resume updates, or return to Services or Group Policy and change the setting back to "Automatic" or "Not Configured". After you turn updates back on, your computer may restart within a few hours or days as it installs the patches it missed.

What to do if updates keep restarting your computer

If you have paused updates but your computer is still restarting unexpectedly, the pause may not have applied correctly. Restart your computer once, then go back to Settings and check that the pause is still active. Sometimes the pause resets if Windows detects a critical security update.

If the problem continues, check whether another program is triggering restarts. Some antivirus software and system utilities have their own update schedules. Open your antivirus settings and look for an option to pause or delay its updates as well. If you are not sure which program is causing restarts, disable updates using the Services method above, which stops Windows Update specifically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my computer get viruses if I turn off updates?

Yes, the longer updates are off, the higher your risk. Windows patches fix security holes that hackers use to install malware. Pausing for a few weeks is safer than disabling permanently. If you must disable updates, do it for no more than a month, then turn them back on.

Can I pause updates on Windows Home?

Yes. Go to Settings, click System, then Windows Update, and click Pause for 7 days or Advanced options to choose a longer pause. Windows Home supports pausing for up to 35 days. If you need to disable updates completely on Home, use Group Policy Editor if available, or use the Services method if you upgrade to Pro.

What happens when the pause period ends?

Windows will resume checking for updates automatically. You will see a notification before the pause ends. Your computer may restart to install updates, so plan for this and save your work. You can extend the pause by going back to Settings and pausing again before the period expires.

How do I know if an update is a security patch or just a regular update?

Windows does not clearly label them in Settings. Security patches are usually released on the second Tuesday of each month. If you pause updates, check back on that day to see if critical patches are waiting. You can also visit the Microsoft Update History website to see which updates are available for your version of Windows.

Can I choose which updates to install and skip others?

Not easily through Settings. Windows installs all available updates as a package. If you need fine control over which updates install, you can disable automatic updates and manually visit Windows Update in Settings to see what is available, then choose to install them. However, Microsoft recommends installing all updates for security.