Windows 11 will let you skip updates, pause longer, and avoid forced restarts

ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED laptop displaying Windows 11 with Windows Update screen
Windows updates are getting a major update that should reduce headaches and frustration. (Image credit: Ben Wilson | Windows Central)

Sitting down at your PC and realizing it needs an update is at least bothersome. At worst, it can derail your plans by requiring you to set aside time for the system to do its thing. But soon, Windows Update will be easier to control.

When you set up your PC, you'll be able to skip updates during the out-of-box experience (OOBE). There will also be the option to extend update pauses for as long as you'd like.

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Windows Update settings page showing current update status as up to date. Options include pausing updates, viewing update history, and advanced settings.

Windows 11 will let you re-pause updates in 35-day intervals or select a specific end date for the pause. (Image credit: Microsoft)

Microsoft's Aria Hanson detailed the changes in a Windows blog post. Hanson read 7,621 pieces of feedback that helped shape the changes.

You'll likely hear more about feedback being listened to and actioned going forward. Microsoft is revamping the Insider program and part of that effort is a renewed dedication to checking feedback.

Hanson's blog post details the new options, such as the expanded options for extending update pauses. You'll be able to click a date on a calendar to indicate when you want updates paused until. It will also be possible to re-pause updates in 35-day intervals.

Microsoft is also starting to coordinate driver, .NET, and firmware updates, so there are fewer updates each month.

"There are few things more frustrating than sitting down to use your computer, only to find that it requires an update. Worse, is when this happens multiple times in a given month," says Hanson.

"We know this has been a major pain point for Windows users, so as of today, we’re unifying the update experience to reduce the number of reboots you see every month."

Many of the changes are already in testing among Windows Insiders in the newly formed Experimental Channel.


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Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.

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