Stop a Windows Update in Progress Right Now

If Windows is updating your computer right now and you need to stop it, you have a few minutes to act before the process locks you out. Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, go to System > About, and look at the top of the page — if you see a blue "Restart now" button or a progress bar, the update is already running. At this stage, you can restart your computer immediately to interrupt the process, though Windows will usually resume the update the next time you turn it on.

If the update has already reached the restart phase and your screen shows "Installing updates, X% complete" with a countdown timer, restarting will pause it temporarily but not cancel it permanently. The update will resume on your next startup. To actually stop Windows from finishing an update that has already begun installing, you need to act during the download phase, before the restart prompt appears — once the restart countdown starts, interrupting it only delays the inevitable.

Key Takeaways

  • You can pause Windows updates for up to 35 days through Settings, which stops them from installing automatically but does not cancel them permanently.
  • Restarting your computer during an active update will interrupt it temporarily, but Windows will resume the update on your next startup.
  • Disabling Windows Update through Services will stop updates from running, though this requires you to re-enable it manually later if you change your mind.
  • If an update has already begun the restart phase, your only option is to delay it — you cannot fully cancel it without using the Services method.
  • Some updates are mandatory security patches that Windows will keep attempting to install until they complete, no matter how many times you pause them.

Pause Updates for 35 Days Without Stopping Them Permanently

The simplest way to buy yourself time is to pause Windows updates rather than cancel them. Open Settings (Windows key + I), then go to Update & Security > Windows Update. Click "Pause updates for 7 days" — you can repeat this up to five times, giving you 35 days total before Windows forces the update to install. During this pause window, Windows will not download or install updates automatically, but they remain scheduled to install once the pause expires.

This method works best if you are in the middle of important work and need your computer stable for a few weeks. When the pause period ends, Windows will resume checking for updates and will eventually prompt you to install them. You cannot pause indefinitely — after 35 days, Windows will install any pending updates whether you are ready or not.

Disable Windows Update Service to Stop Updates Completely

To actually prevent Windows from installing updates, you need to turn off the Windows Update service. Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. This opens the Services window. Scroll down to find Windows Update in the list, right-click it, and select Properties. In the Startup type dropdown, change it from "Automatic" to "Disabled". Click Apply, then OK.

With Windows Update disabled, your computer will not check for or install updates automatically. However, this leaves your system without security patches, which accumulate over time and create vulnerabilities. If you use this method, you should re-enable Windows Update within a few weeks by returning to Services, finding Windows Update again, changing Startup type back to "Automatic", and clicking Apply.

Be aware that some updates are mandatory security patches that Microsoft considers critical. Even with Windows Update disabled, you may see notifications urging you to install them. These notifications cannot be dismissed permanently — they will return until you allow the update to complete.

Restart Your Computer to Interrupt an Active Update

If Windows is currently downloading or installing an update and you see a progress bar on your screen, restarting your computer will stop the process immediately. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds until the screen goes black, then wait 30 seconds and turn it back on. Windows will interrupt the update and return to your normal desktop.

However, when you restart your computer the next time, Windows will resume the update from where it left off. Restarting only delays the update temporarily — it does not cancel it. If you want to prevent the update from resuming, you need to disable Windows Update through Services (as described above) before restarting again.

Decline Updates at the Restart Prompt

When Windows finishes downloading an update, it displays a restart prompt with a countdown timer. You can click "Restart now" to install immediately, or you can click the X button to dismiss the prompt and delay the restart. Dismissing the prompt postpones the restart for a few hours, after which Windows will show the prompt again.

You can dismiss this prompt multiple times, but Windows will keep showing it until you either restart or disable Windows Update through Services. The prompt becomes more aggressive over time — eventually Windows will restart automatically without asking. If you want to stop the update from installing at all, dismissing the prompt alone will not work; you must disable the Windows Update service.

Uninstall an Update After It Has Already Installed

If an update has already finished installing and you are experiencing problems because of it, you can remove it. Open Settings (Windows key + I), go to System > About, and scroll down to find "Related settings" — click "Advanced system settings". In the System Properties window, click the "System Protection" tab, then click "System Restore". Choose a restore point from before the update was installed and click Next, then Finish. Your computer will restart and revert to that earlier state.

System Restore removes the update and any changes made since that restore point, so you will lose any files created or modified after the date you select. If you do not want to lose recent work, this method is not practical. Alternatively, you can go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates and remove the specific update from the list, though not all updates can be uninstalled this way.

Understand Which Updates You Cannot Cancel

Windows distinguishes between optional updates and mandatory security updates. Optional updates include driver improvements and non-critical features — these can be paused or disabled without serious consequences. Mandatory security updates patch vulnerabilities in Windows itself and cannot be permanently avoided. Windows will keep attempting to install them, and you cannot disable them through the Services method without also disabling all updates.

If you see an update labeled "Security Update" or "Critical Update," it is mandatory. Pausing it for 35 days will work temporarily, but once the pause expires, Windows will install it. Disabling Windows Update entirely will stop it, but you should re-enable updates within a few weeks to protect your system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will restarting my computer during an update damage it?

Restarting during the download phase is generally safe — Windows will simply resume downloading the next time you start up. However, restarting during the installation phase (when you see "Installing updates, X% complete") can occasionally cause problems. If possible, wait for the installation to finish or pause updates through Settings instead of force-restarting.

Can I permanently delete a Windows update so it never installs?

No. You can pause updates for 35 days, disable Windows Update temporarily, or uninstall an update after it has installed, but Windows will eventually attempt to reinstall mandatory updates. The only permanent solution is to disable Windows Update through Services, though this leaves your system without security patches and should only be temporary.

What happens if I disable Windows Update and never turn it back on?

Your computer will stop receiving security patches, and vulnerabilities will accumulate over time. Hackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to access your files or install malware. You should re-enable Windows Update within a few weeks by returning to Services and changing Windows Update back to "Automatic."

Why does Windows keep showing me the restart prompt even after I dismiss it?

Windows will show the restart prompt repeatedly until you either restart your computer or disable Windows Update through Services. Dismissing the prompt only delays the restart for a few hours. To stop the prompts permanently, disable Windows Update or allow the update to install.

Can I choose which updates to install and which to skip?

Windows does not offer a way to pick and choose individual updates — you either install all pending updates or none. You can pause all updates for up to 35 days, or disable Windows Update entirely, but you cannot install only security updates while skipping driver updates, for example.