How to Pause Windows 10 Automatic Updates To Avoid Critical Bugs

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Windows 10 as a 'service' is updated regularly and Microsoft recommends users to allow Windows to automatically install new updates as they are released. There are occasions, however, when you don't want to install an update due to fear of reported critical bugs or compatibility issues.
 
For example, just recently Microsoft pulled the KB4524244 update because of freezes, boot problems, and installation issues. A recent Windows 10 KB4532693 update is also causing issues with users losing their profiles, being logged into the wrong one, and in some cases losing data.
 
Due to this, some feel it's wise to pause Windows 10 automatic updates before a feature update release or other scheduled released to give Microsoft time to fix discovered bugs. Once it is determined that the update does not cause issues, you can unpause automatic updates and install the new fixes.
 
Thankfully, Windows 10 Home, Pro and Enterprise versions allow users to pause updates using the Windows Settings, the Group Policy, or Registry modifications, which we explain below.

Method 1: Pause updates via Windows 10 Settings

Previously, only Windows 10 Professional users were allowed to pause Windows updates from the Settings app, but that changed with Windows 10's May 2019 Update. Now all Windows 10 versions can use the Windows Update settings to pause updates. If you're on Windows 10 Home, you can pause updates for up to 7 days and Windows 10 Professional users can pause updates for 35 days.

To pause updates on Windows 10, please follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.
   
2. Go to Update & Security.
   
3. Click 'Choose Advanced options'.
   
4. Under the 'Pause updates' section, you will see a drop-down menu labeled 'Pause until'.  You can use this drop-down menu to select a date that you wish to pause updates to.
   

Once done, you can close the Settings window for the changes to go into effect. Windows 10 will no longer check for new updates until the selected date is reached.

Read more: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/mi...ical-bugs/