On a supported Windows PC, go to Start > Settings > Windows Update and use Pause updates to choose an end date. Microsoft’s current guidance allows a pause of up to 35 days from the current date. That is a temporary delay, not a way to keep Windows fully current or permanently turn updates off: resume as soon as the reason for delaying them has passed, then install what is available.
If your real concern is an inconvenient restart, use Active hours or schedule the restart instead. Those options help you choose when the restart happens without deliberately holding back updates.
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What pausing Windows updates does—and does not do
When you pause updates, Windows delays checking for, downloading, and installing available updates until the selected end date. Updates that require a restart are also held back, and Windows will not automatically restart to finish installing them during the pause. Microsoft says updates already in progress are canceled if you pause.
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The pause is temporary. Microsoft’s Pause updates in Windows guidance says you can choose an end date up to 35 days from the current date. If you extend the pause, the new end date must still fall within 35 days of the current date; previously paused days do not add to that window. You can also resume earlier.
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After the pause expires—or when you resume manually—Windows checks for available updates and installs the latest ones. It may need to download and reinstall them. Until then, fixes included in the delayed updates are not installed, so there is no universally “safe” number of days to pause.
Pause updates in Windows 11
- Select Start > Settings > Windows Update.
- On the Pause updates control, select Pick a date.
- Choose the date you want updates to resume. Keep the pause only as long as the practical problem requires.
- To end the pause early, return to Settings > Windows Update and select the resume option. Windows will check for updates and download and install those available.
Windows 10: pause controls vary, and general support has ended
On Windows 10, the pause controls depend on the release and edition. Microsoft’s pause guidance describes Pause updates for 7 days or a resume date under Advanced options for Windows 10 version 1903 or later, and for Pro or Enterprise version 1809. Follow the controls shown on your build rather than assuming one legacy path applies to every Windows 10 PC.
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Important: Microsoft ended general Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. Its support notice says that after this date Microsoft no longer provides free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes under general support. Pausing and resuming updates cannot restore that support. This notice concerns Microsoft’s general Windows 10 guidance; it should not be read as describing every special edition or paid support arrangement. See Microsoft’s Windows 10 support notice for details.
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If the problem is a restart interruption, change the timing
Set Active hours
Active hours help Windows avoid restarting automatically while you usually use the device. In Windows 11, open Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Active hours, then choose automatic or manual hours. Microsoft’s Windows 10 route is Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Change active hours; labels can vary by version. See Microsoft’s Active hours guidance.
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Schedule a restart
If Windows offers Schedule the restart, use it to pick a more convenient time for a restart that is already pending. The update still needs to finish installing; scheduling changes the timing, not whether the update is installed. Microsoft describes this option in its Windows Update FAQ.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What “without leaving your PC unprotected” really means
A paused PC does not receive the updates being held back, and it cannot be described as fully protected against issues those updates address. Microsoft recommends keeping Windows updated for security and reliability. Keep your existing security protections enabled, but do not treat antivirus as a replacement for Windows fixes. Pause only for a concrete short-term need, then resume and install available updates promptly.
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Update categories and restart behavior are not necessarily identical in every situation. Microsoft’s article One restart a month for Windows updates, originally published August 14, 2026, describes a Windows 11 experience for versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1. For updates released on or after July 28, 2026, it says some restart-requiring updates are combined with the monthly security update, while certain Defender security intelligence updates, critical or expedited driver updates, and emergency or out-of-band updates are not held for that combined monthly restart. Microsoft says the experience is rolling out gradually and may not be available on every device. This is not a guarantee that every update category continues unchanged during every pause configuration.
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Pause, manage the restart, or address Windows 10 support?
| Option | What it changes | Best fit | Security or support caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pause updates | Temporarily delays updates and restart-required work until the chosen end date; Microsoft’s current guidance sets a maximum window of 35 days from the current date. | A specific short period when installing updates would cause a real problem. | Fixes can be delayed. Resume and install available updates when the constraint ends. |
| Active hours | Helps avoid automatic restarts during hours you typically use the PC. | You want fewer interruptions while allowing updates to proceed. | Manages restart timing rather than intentionally delaying all updates. |
| Schedule restart | Sets a convenient time for a restart when Windows offers the option. | An update is ready, but the restart timing is poor. | The update still needs to finish installing. |
| Windows 10 after general support ended | No pause or resume setting restores ended general support. | You are interpreting a Windows 10 support notice. | Microsoft says free Windows Update software updates and security fixes under general support ended October 14, 2025. |
Resume and install updates after the pause
- Open Start > Settings > Windows Update.
- Select the option to resume updates if the pause is still active.
- Check for available updates and allow Windows to download and install them. Microsoft’s Install Windows Updates guidance explains checking and installation.
- Follow Windows’ restart prompt, using Active hours or a scheduled restart if you need to choose a convenient time.
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