Keeping your operating system up to date is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your device remains properly secured. Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about keeping track of every update that’s released, as Windows 11 is set to automatically download and install updates by default. However, automatic updates can sometimes appear at inopportune times, and sometimes you may want to delay if an update doesn’t include a patch for a security hole.
Why limit automatic updates in Windows 11?
Most updates shouldn’t negatively affect your device, but some may have issues that cause problems with an app or feature you use regularly. In this case, it’s best to wait for a fix for any issues that a particular update might have caused. Also, restarts and update installations can sometimes take hours, depending on your connection speed and the size of the update.
If you want more control over Windows 11 updates, you can do things like pause updates for a period of time, limit automatic updates to complete at certain times of the day, manually check for updates, or disable automatic updates entirely.
It’s worth reiterating that updates with critical security patches should be applied immediately to protect your device. However, if you want more control over non-essential updates, here’s how to manage automatic updates for Windows 11.
How to Pause Automatic Updates in Windows 11
You can pause automatic updates for a period of time – anywhere from one to five weeks – here’s how:
1. Go to settings
2. Click Windows Update
3. Under More Options, click the Pause Updates drop-down menu to select how long you want to pause automatic updates
If you want to resume automatic updates at any time before the end of the selected time period, you can click the Resume Updates button in the same Windows Update menu.
Note that you can’t pause updates indefinitely: after the pause period, you’ll need to install the latest update before you can use the pause feature again.
How to Disable Windows 11 Automatic Updates
If you want to disable automatic updates indefinitely, you can do this through a Windows service if you don’t mind getting a little technical know-how.
1. Press Windows button + R to launch the Run window
2. Enter services.msc in the text field and click OK
3. In the Services menu, click Windows Update
4. In the General tab, select Disabled from the Startup Type drop-down menu
5. Click the Apply button
To turn automatic updates back on, follow the same steps as above, then select Automatic from the Startup Type drop-down menu.
Even if you disable automatic updates using Windows Services, you can still download and install updates manually.
How to manually download and install Windows 11 updates
If you’ve disabled automatic updates on your Windows 11 PC, you’ll need to manually install updates as they become available.
1. Go to Settings
2. Click Windows Update
3. Click Check for Updates
If an update is available, you will be notified that the update is available for download. Click Download Now or Download and Install to run the update.
Advanced options for managing Windows 11 updates
Some updates require a system restart, which can be inconvenient if it happens in the middle of your workday. Thankfully, you can enable restrictions on when your computer can restart and complete automatic updates.
1. Go to Settings
2. Click Windows Update
3. Click Advanced Options
4. Click Active Time and set the time range you don’t want Windows to restart your PC
You can also select the “Keep me up to date” option to restart as soon as possible, even during your active hours. This option is useful when important updates are available and the time is convenient for you. With this option enabled, you will still be notified 15 minutes before reboot.
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Thanks for reading, hope it helps!
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