Windows 10: Deferring Updates

Hi guys, I apologise if this has been previously discussed but I couldn’t find clarity on the answer we require.
We have recently upgraded to the latest creators fall feature update and unfortunately for us it pushed its self through with a restart when one of PCs was on site which cost us a tidy penny on the evening.
I’m looking for a way to defer both ‘feature’ updates and the usual smaller security updates so I may do them at a time that suits the business. I have clicked the defer option and selected 365 and played with the group policy settings setting the windows update to 2 - Just notify. Was this the correct way to do this and have I missed anything because we can’t be in a position on evenings when computers are turned on that any update can be pushed though.

Sorry for what may seem a novice question

Thanks in advance

Paul

:)

 

Deferring updates

First the question, then the background.

I'm on Windows 10, build 1703, kb15063.786. I turned on the "Pause update" option. What exactly will this stop? Namely, will this prevent build 1709 from downloading and updating, and for how long?

The background:

I was on anniversary edition, when Windows decided to update me to 1709. It rebooted, and just when it was about to finish up, gave me the "Can't complete installation" message, and threw me into an endless loop I couldn't get out
of. I'm not sure why, though it may be my AMD driver. Anyway, nothing I tried worked (reset, system restore), and I eventually reformatted my drive, and reinstalled everything and it put me back to build 1511.

Windows then again tried to update me to build 1709, crashed my system again, and I was forced to reformat and reinstall again.

Long story short, I turned on "defer updates" but despite this, it then first updated me to Anniversary edition, and then when I woke up this morning it was the Creator's edition 1703. I then found I had to turn on "Pause updates" again (I'm assuming it's the
same thing as "defer updates"). So again, what will this do? Can I expect to get updated up to build 15063.877? And more importantly, will it prevent 1709 from downloading and crashing my computer again?

By the way, one thing I did learn in this process. If 1709 crashes your computer, let it crash it three times until you get to the advanced startup and immediately ask it to restore to a previous build. Reset and restore don't work, and if you try it first,
then restoring to a previous build won't either.

 

Deferring updates

Hi BK. I'm Greg, a volunteer installation specialist and 8 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

You can check for updates and hide any not already installing using the Hide Updates Tool:

https://www.computerworld.com/article/3232632/m...

What I would do if you haven't yet is manually install Fall Creator Version 1709 by installing Media Creation Tool and choosing to Upgrade Now.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m....

This the most stable method to upgrade to the new version (which you need anyway) and will bring you fully up to date with reinstalled Windows that often will solve any other problems you have.

You can use the same tool to download the ISO or create bootable media so you only need to do it once, and have the bootable media for repairs or possible Clean Install.

If there are any hurdles during the Upgrade see these steps to optimize the install as this is evidence it's corrupted:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

But remember that a factory or Upgrade install are inferior installs that most enthusiasts would never run in the first place because they'd expect endless issues. Most prefer to do the gold standard Clean install from this link which has had no reported issues:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I'll keep working with you until this is resolved.

 

Hi, Notify is a good setting for updates.

Defer:




Windows Update - Defer Feature and Quality Updates in Windows 10 Windows 10 Tutorials

No auto restart:




You might consider:

 

Thanks for the quick response. Is there a way of defering quality updates for longer than 30 days as set in advanced settings. Does group policy setting to notify supersede this?

 

My (limited) understanding is that pause affects when the system scans for updates

Configure Windows Update for Business (Windows 10) | Microsoft Docs

Notify gives you (as you know) the option to allow the download to proceed or not.

That is, these are two separate things.

However, it's always possible that MS- as with metered connections- may have a policy of overriding user choices in some circumstances.

I've not tested what you're asking... but I've never had an unscheduled update-related restart either.

 

May I just ask, as you have never had an unscheduled update of either feature or quality updates what settings do you have?

 

In The CU I had it set in Group Policy to delay for 365 Days

 

Deferred upgrades, notify, active hours. And I switch my PC off overnight.

(I found it interesting that a couple of times when I'd accepted an update which was due to restart during Active Hours, that actually nothing happened when the Active Hours period expired).