You can pause Windows updates for up to 35 days, or stop a read that is already running
Windows 10 and Windows 11 both let you delay updates temporarily through Settings, though the exact steps differ slightly between versions. If an update is actively downloading or installing right now, you can stop it when ready. If you want to prevent updates from running for a few weeks, you can pause them — but they will resume automatically after the pause period ends, and you cannot skip updates permanently on a home computer.
The most common reason to stop an update is that it is slowing down your machine, causing a program to crash, or running at a time when you need your computer. Pausing gives you time to back up files, finish work, or wait for the software maker to release a fix if the update has a known problem. Knowing which method to use depends on whether the update has already started.
Key Takeaways
- You can pause Windows updates for up to 35 days through Settings, after which they resume automatically.
- If an update is downloading or installing right now, you can stop it by opening Settings, going to Update & Security, and clicking "Pause updates".
- Restarting your computer during an update can corrupt Windows, so use the pause feature instead of forcing a shutdown.
- Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education versions let you delay updates for longer periods or use Group Policy to control them more precisely.
- Home versions cannot skip updates permanently — pausing is temporary, and updates will eventually install whether you want them or not.
How to pause updates in Windows 10
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then click the Settings app. Go to Update & Security in the left menu, then click Windows Update. You will see a button that says Pause updates for 7 days. Click it.
After you click pause, Windows will not check for or install updates for seven days. When those seven days pass, the pause automatically lifts and updates resume. You can click the pause button again to extend the pause by another seven days, up to a maximum of 35 days total. After 35 days, updates will install whether you pause again or not.
If you want to resume updates before the pause ends, go back to the same screen and click Resume updates. This is useful if you have finished the work you were doing or if you want to install a security update that addresses a known threat.
How to pause updates in Windows 11
Open Settings and go to System in the left menu, then click Windows Update. You will see Pause updates near the top. Click it to pause for one week. Like Windows 10, you can pause up to five times for a total of 35 days, and updates resume automatically after the pause period ends.
Windows 11 also shows you when your pause will end and how many days remain. If you need to resume updates sooner, click Resume updates on the same screen. The pause feature works the same way in both versions — it delays but does not cancel updates.
How to stop an update that is currently downloading
If Windows is actively downloading an update right now, you can interrupt it. Open Settings, go to Update & Security (Windows 10) or System > Windows Update (Windows 11), and look for a button that says Pause updates or Stop. Click it when ready. Windows will stop the read where it is.
Do not restart your computer or force a shutdown while an update is installing. Interrupting an installation mid-process can corrupt Windows and leave your system unable to start. Using the pause button is safe because it tells Windows to stop cleanly before anything is written to disk.
After you pause, the partially downloaded update remains on your hard drive. When you resume updates, Windows will continue from where it left off rather than starting the read over.
Why you cannot permanently cancel updates on Windows Home
Windows 10 Home and Windows 11 Home do not let you turn off updates entirely. Microsoft treats updates as mandatory on home versions because they include security patches that protect against viruses and hackers. Pausing is the only way to delay them, and the pause expires after 35 days.
If you have Windows Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you have more control. These versions let you use Group Policy Editor to delay updates for longer periods or to choose which updates install and when. Home users do not have access to Group Policy.
What to do if an update keeps failing or causing problems
If the same update fails repeatedly or crashes your programs, pause updates and check whether the software maker has released a fix. Visit the website of the program that is crashing — for example, Adobe, Microsoft Office, or your antivirus software — and read the latest version. Often the program maker has already updated their software to work with the new Windows version.
You can also check the Windows Update history to see which update is causing the problem. Go to Settings > Update & Security > View update history (Windows 10) or Settings > System > Windows Update > Update history (Windows 11). The most recent update is usually the one causing trouble if problems started right after it installed.
If you find that a specific update is the problem, you can uninstall it. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, then scroll down and click View optional updates. Find the update that is causing trouble, click it, and select Uninstall. Windows will remove it, and you can pause updates while you wait for a fixed version.
How to check if an update is scheduled but not yet running
Windows often schedules updates to install at a specific time — usually late at night or early morning — rather than installing when ready. If you want to know when an update is scheduled, open Settings and go to Update & Security > Windows Update (Windows 10) or System > Windows Update (Windows 11). Look for text that says "Update scheduled for" followed by a date and time.
If you see a scheduled update and you want to delay it, pause updates now. The pause will prevent the scheduled installation from running. When the pause expires, the update will install at the next scheduled time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete the Windows update files to free up space?
Yes, but only after the update has finished installing. Go to Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files (Windows 11) or Settings > System > Storage > Free up space (Windows 10), check the box next to "Previous Windows installation(s)", and click Remove files. This deletes the old version of Windows that was replaced by the update, freeing up several gigabytes.
What happens if I ignore the update notification?
Windows will keep reminding you until you either install the update or pause it. After 35 days of pausing, the update will install automatically whether you want it or not. Ignoring the notification does not prevent the update — it only delays the reminder.
Can I uninstall Windows 11 and go back to Windows 10?
Yes, but only within 10 days of upgrading. Go to Settings > System > Recovery and click Go back. After 10 days, the old Windows version is deleted and you cannot downgrade. This is different from pausing — it removes the new version entirely and restores the previous one.
Will pausing updates affect my security?
Pausing for a few weeks is generally safe, but longer pauses leave you exposed to security threats. Windows updates include patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Pause only when necessary, and resume as soon as you can. Do not pause for months at a time.
Can I schedule updates to install at a specific time instead of pausing?
Windows 10 and 11 Home do not let you choose the installation time — you can only pause or let updates install on their own schedule. Windows Pro and Enterprise have more control through Group Policy, where you can set specific days and times for updates to run.