How to Temporarily Pause Windows Updates
Delay Windows updates for a while without disabling them completely.
You can delay Windows updates for a few days without disabling them completely — useful if you have something important going on and want to avoid an unexpected restart.
- Settings → Windows Update.
- "Pause updates for 1 week" (repeatable up to a maximum of 5 weeks in total).
Once you reach the maximum limit, you'll need to check for updates again at least once before you can pause again — Windows doesn't let you postpone them indefinitely.
Tip: it's reasonable to pause for a few days if a specific update worries you — check first whether there are any known issues reported before deciding how long to pause.
Frequently asked questions
How long can I pause updates for?
Up to a maximum of 5 weeks in a row. After that limit, Windows requires you to check for updates at least once before you can pause again.
Is pausing updates the same as disabling them?
No, it is temporary and time-limited — there is no official way to permanently disable Windows updates, for security reasons.