How to Control or Stop Forced Updates on Windows 10 on Anniversary Update

how to control or stop forced updates on windows 10 with the anniversary update

Any Windows 10 user that’s currently on the Windows 10 Anniversary Update pretty much knows how painful forced updates can be, especially when you’re working on something critical and you’re unable to because the system chose to download and install an update that could have waited a few minutes or even a day.

On Windows 10, delaying an update isn’t as straightforward as simply asking it to remind you later. If you don’t believe me, ask Cortana! The popups don’t allow you to delay updates, which is why we call them forced updates in the first place. But to be fair, you did sign up to that when you agreed to their terms and conditions. I’ll bet you didn’t read them, though.

From another viewpoint, making updates mandatory is not unreasonable. They often contain bug fixes and security patches that are meant to protect your system and your data. But they can be annoying, undeniably.

The good news is, there are at least 3 ways in which you can control rowdy forced updates from taking over the show whenever they want.

Method 1 – Active Hours

When Microsoft rolled out the Windows 10 anniversary update, they introduced a little-known feature called active hours, and this will help you postpone updates until you’re ready for them. Active hours simply tells Windows when you use the computer, so it will not restart your machine to push the updates during those times.

From the Start menu, just go into Settings > Update & security > Windows Update, then click on Change active hours and set the start and end time.

But what if you’re working outside the active hours time slot that you’ve set with this method? No problem, just do what’s described in Method 2 below.

Method 2 – Change Restart Day and Time

For this, you’ll need to go into Windows Update as shown above, and then click on Restart Options, where you can select the time and the day of the week when you want to allow the system to push updates through to your system.

Once you’ve set this, you won’t need to worry about forced updates messing up your work schedule.




There’s also a third way, but you’re going to have to lie to Windows! I mean, it’s not like a crime to lie to a software, is it?

Method 3 – Metered Connection

If you’re on a metered connection or have a data cap, Windows is smart enough not to bother you with forced updates. But it will push the update as soon as you’re on WiFi, so you’re going to have to fib.

Simply go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Advanced options, then flip the toggle switch that you see under Set as metered connection. Now, when you’re ready to have an update installed, simply toggle it back to off and your update should automatically get pushed through.




There are other ways as well, but these three should be enough to help get rid of your frustration.

Also Read: Upgrade to Windows 10 Free or Do a Clean Install using a Win 10 ISO File (Disc Image)

That said, it’s definitely bad practice to indefinitely postpone updates because of the security and bug fixes I mentioned earlier. When you’re on the latest update you’re relatively safer than when you aren’t. So, while we don’t advocate avoiding updates, we believe they should be done at your convenience, not your computer’s.

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