You can pause Windows updates for up to 35 days, or stop a download that's already started

Windows 10 and 11 both let you delay updates through Settings, though the exact steps differ slightly between versions. If an update is already downloading or installing, you can stop it immediately. If you want to prevent updates from running at all, you'll need to change how Windows handles them — but Microsoft will eventually push the update through, so pausing is temporary, not permanent.

The reason to know this: updates patch security holes and fix bugs, so turning them off entirely leaves your computer vulnerable. Pausing them for a few weeks while you back up files or test software is reasonable. Ignoring them indefinitely is not.

Key Takeaways

  • In Windows Settings, you can pause updates for up to 35 days by going to Update & Security (Windows 10) or System > Windows Update (Windows 11) and selecting "Pause updates".
  • If an update is currently downloading, open Task Manager, find Windows Update in the Processes tab, and end the task to stop it immediately.
  • Disabling the Windows Update service through Services.msc will stop updates temporarily, but Windows will re-enable the service after a restart or after a certain period.
  • After you pause or stop an update, Windows will eventually resume and install it — pausing is a delay, not a permanent block.
  • Restarting your computer after stopping an update may trigger the installation to resume, so save your work first.

Pause updates through Settings (the easiest method)

Windows 11: Open Settings, go to System > Windows Update, and look for "Pause updates" near the top. Click it, and Windows will stop checking for new updates for seven days. You can pause again when those seven days end, up to a total of 35 days. After 35 days, updates resume automatically.

Windows 10: Open Settings, go to Update & Security > Windows Update, and click "Pause updates for 7 days". Like Windows 11, you can pause repeatedly up to 35 days total. After that, the pause expires and updates resume.

This method is the safest because it doesn't disable any system services — it just tells Windows to wait. You can resume updates at any time by clicking the pause button again or by waiting for the pause period to end.

Stop an update that's already downloading

If Windows is downloading or installing an update right now and you need to stop it, open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Go to the Processes tab, find "Windows Update" or "Update Orchestrator Service" in the list, click it, and select "End Task" at the bottom right.

This stops the current download but does not prevent future updates. Windows will try again the next time it checks for updates, usually within a few hours or the next day. If you want to prevent it from restarting immediately, pause updates through Settings as described above.

After you end the task, save any open work and avoid restarting your computer for at least an hour — restarting may trigger the update to resume or install.

Disable Windows Update service (temporary, not permanent)

You can turn off the Windows Update service through Services.msc, but this is a temporary measure. Windows will re-enable the service after a restart or after a certain period, usually within a few days.

To do this: Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. Find "Windows Update" in the list, right-click it, and select "Stop". Then right-click it again, select "Properties", change the Startup type dropdown to "Disabled", and click OK.

This will prevent updates from running until you restart your computer or until Windows automatically re-enables the service. It is not a permanent solution. If you need updates paused for longer than a few days, use the Settings method instead.

Why you should not disable updates permanently

Updates include security patches that close holes attackers use to install malware, steal passwords, or take control of your computer. A computer that hasn't been updated in months is significantly more vulnerable than one that is current.

If you're avoiding updates because a recent one broke something, that's a legitimate reason to pause and report the problem to Microsoft. If you're avoiding them because they take time or restart your computer, pausing for a few weeks is reasonable — but eventually you'll need to let them run. If you're avoiding them because you don't trust Microsoft, disabling updates entirely is not the answer; consider using a different operating system instead.

What happens when your pause period ends

When you've paused updates for 35 days total, or when you manually resume them, Windows will download and install the waiting updates. This usually happens at night or when your computer is idle, but you may see a notification asking you to restart.

If you restart during an update installation, do not turn off your computer — let it finish. Interrupting an update mid-installation can corrupt Windows and require a full reinstall. If an update seems stuck for more than an hour, restart your computer once and let it try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I permanently disable Windows updates?

Technically yes, but Windows will re-enable the update service after a restart or after a period of time. Permanently disabling updates requires editing the Windows registry or using third-party tools, both of which carry risk. Pausing updates through Settings is the supported way to delay them.

Will disabling updates make my computer faster?

Updates may slow your computer briefly while they install, but they don't make it slower afterward. In fact, updates often include performance improvements. If your computer is slow, the cause is usually something else — too many programs running at startup, a full hard drive, or malware.

What if Windows forces an update and I'm not ready?

Windows 10 and 11 will eventually install updates even if you pause them, but you have 35 days of pausing available. If you need more time, use that window to back up your files and test the update on another computer if possible. After 35 days, the update will install whether you're ready or not.

Can I roll back an update if it breaks something?

Yes. Go to Settings > System > Recovery (Windows 11) or Update & Security > Recovery (Windows 10), and select "Go back". You have up to ten days to roll back to the previous version of Windows. After ten days, the option disappears.

Do I need to pause updates if I restart my computer regularly?

No. If you restart your computer at least once a week, Windows will install updates during those restarts without disrupting your work. Pausing is mainly useful if you leave your computer running for weeks without restarting, or if you need to delay a specific update you've heard causes problems.