You can stop a Windows update before it finishes installing, but your options depend on when you catch it
If Windows is currently downloading or installing an update, you can pause it through Settings. If the update has already finished and restarted your computer, you cannot undo it — but you can prevent future updates from installing automatically. The steps differ between Windows 10 and Windows 11, and the method also depends on whether you want to pause temporarily or block updates for a longer period.
The most important thing to know: once Windows restarts after an update completes, that update is permanent. You cannot roll it back through the same cancellation process. If an update causes problems after it installs, you will need to use System Restore or uninstall the update through Settings — both separate processes from stopping it mid-installation.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings and go to Update & Security (Windows 10) or System > About (Windows 11) to see if an update is still downloading; if it is, you can pause it there.
- Pausing an update through Settings is temporary — Windows will resume the download after a set period, usually one to seven days depending on your settings.
- To prevent updates from installing automatically for weeks at a time, set your connection as metered or use Group Policy Editor (Windows Pro and higher only).
- Once Windows restarts after an update finishes, the update cannot be cancelled; you would need to uninstall it or use System Restore instead.
- Home edition of Windows 10 and 11 cannot fully disable updates, but metered connection settings and pause options can delay them significantly.
Pausing an update that is currently downloading
Windows 10: Open Settings, select Update & Security, then Windows Update. If an update is downloading, you will see a blue pause button next to the download progress. Click it. The download will pause immediately, but Windows will resume it automatically after a set number of days — usually between one and seven, depending on your update settings.
Windows 11: Open Settings, go to System, then About. Scroll down to Related settings and click Windows Update. If a download is in progress, you will see a pause icon. Click it to pause. Like Windows 10, the pause is temporary and Windows will resume on its own schedule.
Pausing is not the same as cancelling. Windows treats a paused update as delayed, not abandoned. The download will restart unless you take additional steps to prevent it.
Stopping an update that is already installing
If Windows has moved past downloading and is now installing the update (you may see a progress bar or "Installing updates" message), pausing through Settings may not work. At this stage, your options are limited.
Do not force shut down your computer by holding the power button. This can corrupt Windows or leave your system in an unstable state. Instead, wait for the installation to complete. If the installation is taking an unusually long time (more than an hour), restart your computer normally through the Start menu. Windows will usually resume the installation on the next startup.
If the installation fails or gets stuck, Windows may offer a rollback option on restart — a button to undo the update and return to the previous version. If you see this option, you can click it. This is different from pausing; it actually removes the update that failed to install.
Delaying updates by marking your connection as metered
If you want to prevent Windows from downloading and installing updates automatically for an extended period, you can tell Windows your internet connection is metered (limited data). Windows treats metered connections differently and will not download large updates without your permission.
Windows 10: Open Settings, go to Update & Security, then Advanced options. Under "Download updates over metered connections," toggle the switch to Off. This tells Windows not to download updates automatically when you are on a metered connection. Then go to your Wi-Fi settings (Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks), select your home network, and toggle "Set as metered connection" to On.
Windows 11: Open Settings, go to System > Advanced system settings (or search for it directly). Under "Download updates over metered connections," toggle to Off. Then go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks, select your network, and toggle "Metered connection" to On.
This method works well if you have a home Wi-Fi network. Windows will still prompt you to install updates, but it will not download them automatically. You remain in control of when the download starts. Note that this does not work if you are on a wired Ethernet connection, since Windows does not treat wired connections as metered.
Using Group Policy Editor to disable automatic updates (Windows Pro and higher)
If you have Windows 10 Pro, Windows 11 Pro, or a higher edition, you can use Group Policy Editor to disable automatic updates entirely. This is the most complete way to stop updates, but it only works on Pro and Enterprise editions — not Home.
Press Windows key + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update. Find the policy called "Configure Automatic Updates" and double-click it. Select "Disabled" and click OK. This will stop Windows from downloading and installing updates automatically.
You will still receive notifications that updates are available, and you can install them manually whenever you choose. This gives you complete control over when updates happen. However, if you disable updates for months at a time, your system may become vulnerable to security issues. Microsoft recommends installing security updates at least monthly.
What to do if an update already installed and caused problems
If Windows has already restarted after an update and you are now experiencing issues, cancelling is no longer an option. You have two paths: uninstall the specific update, or use System Restore to roll back to a point before the update installed.
Uninstalling a single update: Open Settings, go to Update & Security (Windows 10) or System > About (Windows 11), and look for "View update history" or "Update history." Find the update that is causing problems, click it, and select Uninstall. Windows will remove that update and restart. This is faster than System Restore but only works if the update is still listed in your history.
Using System Restore: If uninstalling does not work or the update is no longer listed, open System Restore by pressing Windows key + R, typing rstrui.exe, and pressing Enter. Choose a restore point from before the problematic update installed. Windows will revert your system to that earlier state, removing the update in the process. This takes longer but is more thorough.
Why Windows makes updates hard to cancel
Windows updates are mandatory by design because they include security patches. Microsoft does not want users to skip updates indefinitely, since unpatched systems are vulnerable to malware and hackers. This is why pausing is temporary, why Home edition cannot fully disable updates, and why once an update installs, it is permanent unless you actively uninstall it.
That said, you have legitimate reasons to delay an update: it might conflict with software you use, it might cause performance problems on your specific hardware, or you might simply want to test it on another computer first. The methods above give you ways to delay or control updates without completely abandoning security patches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a Windows update after it has already restarted my computer?
No. Once Windows restarts after an update finishes, the update is installed and cannot be cancelled. You can uninstall it through Settings or use System Restore to roll back to before the update, but you cannot simply cancel it like you would a download in progress.
Will pausing an update stop it from installing forever?
No. Pausing delays the update temporarily, usually for one to seven days. After that period, Windows will resume the download and installation automatically unless you pause it again or use a longer-term method like metered connection settings or Group Policy.
What is the difference between pausing and disabling updates?
Pausing temporarily stops a download in progress; Windows will resume it later. Disabling (through Group Policy on Pro editions) stops automatic updates entirely, though you can still install them manually. Metered connection settings fall in between — they prevent automatic downloads but allow you to install updates when you choose.
If I set my connection as metered, will Windows ever force an update?
Windows will not automatically download updates on a metered connection, but it may still prompt you to install them manually. You remain in control of when the installation happens. However, if you ignore update prompts for many months, Windows may eventually force an update during a mandatory maintenance window.
Is it safe to disable updates completely?
Disabling updates is not recommended long-term because security patches protect your computer from malware and hackers. If you disable updates, install security patches at least monthly. Do not leave your computer unpatched for extended periods, even if you are using other security software.