Pausing Windows 10 Pro Updates

inspectorperez

Have just discovered how to pause Windows 10 updates for up to 365 days (courtesy of Britec09 channel on YouTube)!

Thought I would post this because it is a feature which Microsoft have for some reason removed when moving up to the latest 2004 feature update.

The solution involves using the Group Policy Editor and is explained in the YouTube link below.

Unfortunately this only works in the Pro version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-szbwL6z-H8

jonnygee2

Why would anyone want to do this?

steviebuk

jonnygee2 said:

Why would anyone want to do this?

Plenty of reasons. You're a small business with no IT department but you want to control updates like an IT department would. An IT department knows new updates aren't full proof, its been shown many a times recently of the breaking nature of Windows 10 updates, the worst being the update that was deleting files. Also you have legacy software that you know will or could break in the next update.

That's why you'd want to difer. It goes on in the IT world all the time.

jonnygee2

If you didn't even know how to change the settings I really think you'd be better off leaving windows updates alone.

Professional IT departments might have reasons but then they also hopefully already knew how to control windows updates.

dogmaryxx

Stop Windows 10 from upgrading to next version and Set the target Feature Update version
You can Enable the Select the target Feature Update version Group Policy setting or use the TargetReleaseVersionInfo Registry key to stop Windows 10 from installing the next feature update. You will need admin permission, and access to Group Policy or Registry apply these settings.
The Windows Team removed the option where one could defer to upgrade to the next feature update for almost a year. The problem is that many consumers want to postpone installing a feature upgrade for multiple valid reasons. Although Microsoft has removed that feature, they have added new functionality. Windows 10 version 2004 allows you to remain on one particular version until the version reaches the end of life. In this post, we will show how you can stop Windows 10 from upgrading to the next version.
Stop Windows 10 from upgrading to next version
There are two ways to achieve this. The Group Policy is available in Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise, but not for Windows 10 Home version. But you can use the Registry method to achieve the same in Windows 10 Home. This method also gives you the power to go to the exact version of Windows, and not force upgrade to the latest version of Windows 10.
Select the target Feature Update version in Group Policy

Type gpedit.msc in the Run prompt (Win + R) and press the Enter key
Navigate to the following path
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Windows Update for Business
Double click on the Policy — Select the target Feature Update version, and set the status to Enabled.
Enable this policy to specify a Feature Update version to be requested in subsequent scans.
In the text box where you need to enter the version, enter the exact value as you see in the released page 

If you choose v1909, then the Windows update will download 1909, and keep it on this version until its expiry. Usually, when you install an older version, you get a prompt for a newer version and compatibility. This policy makes sure you stay in the same version until you remove or disable the settings.
Set value of TargetReleaseVersionInfo Registry key

Open Registry Editor by typing Regedit in the Run prompt (Win + R), and then press the Enter key
Navigate to:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
Locate two DWORD files and set the value as below. If they do not exist, create them as follows:

• TargetReleaseVersion = 1

• TargetReleaseVersionInfo = 2004

The value should be the exact number as in the semi-annual channel list in the link above. Replace 2004 by the appropriate version that you want.
Followed by this, you will have to restart the computer. Once the reboot is complete, log in and go to the Windows Update, and check for the version of the update available to download. Once installed, it will remain on this version.
While Microsoft has removed the deferred setting, but in exchange for that, you get an excellent option which you can also call the Feature Update Chooser.

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/stop-windows-10-from-upgrading-to-next-version-and-set-the-target-feature-update-version/

inspectorperez

jonnygee2 said:

If you didn't even know how to change the settings I really think you'd be better off leaving windows updates alone.

Professional IT departments might have reasons but then they also hopefully already knew how to control windows updates.

Many "amateur" computer users value this feature which was removed for no obvious reason by Microsoft in the latest update.

It is one of the main reasons why a Windows user might opt for Pro as opposed to Home editions.