Windows 10: Best Windows Update settings for Creators Update?

I just finished upgrading to the Creators Update, and would like to know the best Windows Update settings. I don't want any unexpected restarts, and I would like the option of being asked before installing each update, so I can properly prepare, rather than risk Windows automatically installing it at an inopportune time.

In the last version of Windows that I had (the Anniversary Update), I used the following trick recommended to me by a member of this forum:

It worked very well, and Windows always gave me the option to perform updates, rather than automatically downloading them.

However, I do not know whether it is safe to use this method in the Creators Update. Also, even if it is safe, I don't know whether it's my best best option, or whether the Creators Update now provides a better one.

Currently, Windows Update on my computer looks like this (due to the settings caused by the Creators Update):





What would you recommend that I do? Also, what is that message about settings being hidden by my organization about? I have no organization.

:)

 

What was the best thing about creators update for you?

Here is a list of some of my favorite features I personally like and use:

The 11 Best Features to Check Out in the Windows 10 Creators
Update

 

Creators Update is not offered after installing UPX Kb4013214

Hello,

If Windows Creators Update still does not appear after installing the KB4013214, the best solution is to download the Creators Update manually.

We suggest that you follow the troubleshooting steps created by John Ado on this

post. It's related to your concern.

Do let us know if you need further assistance.

 

I won't speak much to the update settings change for "notify only" but I will speak to the red text that reads "*Some settings..." These days, the notify only method is no longer explicitly available through Settings but through Group Policy. Another workaround is to set your home connection as metered in which case WU won't update automatically (you'll have to check for updates manually, because it won't notify you of pending updates, either -- but if you're a regular here at TenForums, you'll be notified in the News forum every time a new update shows up anyway). As for "*Some Settings..." that means some kind of policy tweak or change has been applied to your PC, and causes that message to appear. Making this go away turns out to be more trouble than it's worth: I've had it on my production PC since 1507 and I've yet to be able to clear it up since (along with lots of other people, if you search out the many threads devoted to that topic here).
HTH,
--Ed--

 

It was that way during the Anniversary Update as well. The method that I quoted in my OP uses a program that edits the group policy and other settings, and it worked perfectly in the Anniversary Update. However, I do now know whether it's advisable to use it with the Creators Update.

I don't want to do that. I like to be notified when updates are available.

 

Why do you think it's any more or less significant an issue than with previous builds of Windows 10? Or would be when the Autumn/Fall upgrade is released?

 

Because some settings and features are different in the Creators Update, and I don't know whether any of them would have an impact on this particular issue.

Also, I was wondering about the relative merits of the built-in settings available in the Creators Update, such as the one that was automatically selected by my system during the update (which you can see in the picture that I posted in the OP).

 

If you search the forum for
* Some settings
including the *, you will find a few relevant threads and if I recall one specific solution. It has been found that this can occur by default on certain edition of Windows (Education) if I recall- see alphahumeric's posts on this.

The message including a * only occurs for some with the Creator's build.

 

I'll have to look into that.

What would you recommend regarding update settings? Would you recommend using the same Winaero fix as before, leaving the setting as it is now, or something else?

 

Well, as you can see from my specs, I'm still on the Anniversary edition. I prefer control of updates - usual reasons -
- no interruption
- no unexpected restarts

and the ability to update my disk image before updating if I choose.

I've recently discovered that in the group policy editor there's also a period you can set (180 days in my case, 365 in the case of the Creator's build if I recall).

So I'd expect to set
Defer feature upgrades
The time period
Notify before download

as before. (See attached)

What Does “Defer Upgrades” in Windows 10 Mean?

 

In the Creators Update, that setting is also available in the Settings app itself (with no need to use the Group Policy Editor). I have now set mine to 180 days (although it allows up to 365).

Regarding the general download/notification setting, I tried setting it to "notify only" with Winaero, but it still says, "We'll ask you to download updates, except when updates are required to keep Windows running smoothly. In that case, we'll automatically download those updates". I guess that's the closest to a "notify only" setting that can be achieved in the Creators Update.

 

The text you are seeing sounds more like what you get if your connection is set as metered.

You can check if you've successfully set notify only thus:



Using Winaero's tweaker is a combination of using Check for Updates AND the button on the tweaker.




For interest

 

I checked, and my connection is not set to metered.

Interestingly, that setting was set to disabled when I checked. I set it to enabled, and selected option 2. However, option 2 is no longer "notify for download and notify for install". No such setting exists in the Creators Update. It is now "notify for download and auto install".

You can see here:

I tried making the change that I mentioned above in the group policy editor, then trying Winaero again. It made no difference. It still says, "We'll ask you to download updates, except when updates are required to keep Windows running smoothly. In that case, we'll automatically download those updates".
This is apparently the only version of "notify only" available in the Creators Update.

 

I wonder then if in the Creator's update, MS has reserved the right to override both the metered connection trick and the notify option.

 

With my current settings, it is my understanding that I should presumably still be notified to download updates, rather than having them download automatically without my knowledge, but will have no control over how they install after they are downloaded. Is this correct?