Microsoft’s latest Windows 10 release for Windows 10 Professional version 2004 has removed the option and ability for those users to delay Windows updates, easily.

What Version Of Microsoft Is On My Computer?

To check what version of Windows 10 you have, go to the Windows 10 white box (bottom left where it says “Type here to search”) and type in: winver and hit enter.

For users of computers up to and including Windows 10 Pro version 1909, go into Settings (cogwheel icon) found from the “Start” icon (bottom left) then go into “Updates and Security”. Then by clicking into “Advanced Options” down the bottom of the page you can see “Choose when updates are installed”. There are two areas here that can be altered by deciding on the number of days to delay Windows updates.

1. A feature update includes new capabilities and improvements. It can be deferred for this many days: The “feature update” can be delayed for up to 365 days. It’s your choice as it’s your computer.
2. A quality update includes security improvements. It can be deferred for this many days: The “quality update” can be similarly changed but only up to a maximum of 30 days.

Windows 10 Professional vs Windows 10 Home

The two features above separate Windows 10 Professional from Windows 10 Home, with a price difference here in Australia of around $40. The Pro is the dearer of the two, but also has more options to control updates as we have seen above. Windows 10 Home users did not have this option and hence the price was cheaper. Most businesses who rely on their computers to work when needed have chosen the Professional (Pro) version of Windows 10.

Any Microsoft Update has, since Windows 10 was released on 1^st August 2015, been plagued with problems with updates. Hence, the wise went for Professional and then chose to delay Windows updates until fixes or problems were resolved. This, therefore, makes the compulsory update not as scary or stroke inducing. Basically, it took the worry out of this constant updating to some degree.

Windows 10 Professional Update

There is, however, another way Windows 10 Professional users can change their updates, but it is more time consuming as there is more involved. What I am alluding to here is a command called “gpedit”, which is short for “group policy editor”. This command can be run from the command line or from the Windows 10 white box (bottom left where it says “Type here to search”). This opens up a new box. Click on “Computer Configuration” and then “Administrative Templates”. Then go to “Windows Components” then click on “Windows Update”. Inside there go to “Windows Updates for Business”. From there you need to click on “Select when Preview Builds and Feature Updates are received”.

A new window appears and within there you need to “Enable” this feature, then changes can be made. There are six options you will see so choose what is appropriate for you. Then Apply and click OK. The same can be done if for the section below entitled “Select when Quality Updates are received” if you wish. From there, to make sure that the above has worked, go back into “Settings” and “Updates and Security. Check to see at the top of the page in red (usually) “Some settings are managed by your organisation”. If so, then you have successfully configured the above.

Conclusion

Whilst Microsoft has kept the gpedit function, they have complicated the simple feature of being able to delay, not stop, but delay Windows updates. If you need assistance, then please do not hesitate to contact us here at Affordable Computer Repairs.