Windows 10: Interruption of being able to update existing non-Microsoft applications on Windows 10 Pro

Is anyone else having issues installing the latest versions/upgrading existing non-Microsoft apps on Windows10?
Most recently, in the last three weeks or so, every time I try to installsuch a program or app updates, Windows notifies me via a pop-up dialogue box, that "It's time to update your device".


With a little research, it appears it is part of Microsoft's initiative of "S Mode", a stricter enforcement of security. S Mode apparently requires one a to use the Microsoft Store for installable items; and, b Limits Windows10 to the use of MS Edge browser and Bing Maps.

In my case, I continue to be able to use any map app and any other browser I've chosen; so if this is supposedly an enforcement of S Mode, actual implementation of S Mode assuming that's the case since I cannot confirm it so on my workstation Win10 Pro, version 10.0.15063 build 15063 is inconsistent at best. I say I cannot confirm it because when I click on the "See how" link in the aforementioned pop-up, I get another pop-up, which states, "Your device is not running in S mode. Very confusing: If it's not in S mode, why is it asking me to update my system? I did go ahead and update Windows the first time I encountered this issue, and it is a suspect of causality for me. I've begun uninstalling updates, one at a time, to see if there is any reversal of this chain of pop-ups. So far, no reversals.



I've spent hours on this issue just wanting to update three programs;


I'm at a loss.


Any input from anyone? Any links to answers or options proven to be successful?

Thanks in advance.

:)

 

Microsoft Decreasing Windows 10 Updates Downtime in Fall Creators Update

Is there anyway to reach that "blog post" for us lowly, non-10 Luddites?
Spoiler

No, it doesn't. Microsoft admitted that they disregard the GP settings, so your only options for disabling updates are via disabling its services or blocking the connection externally (both are applicable to the home version). The above is true for Enterprise as well.

 

Microsoft to make Windows 10 updates mandatory

Well, at the moment at least, you can choose to defer upgrades. Under Settings > Windows Updates > Advanced options you need to check the box labeled "Defer upgrades". What does that do? Good question. The answer I've found might illuminate it to a degree.

Defer feature updates in Windows 10

I hear this only applies to Pro and Enterprise editions. But I can't verify that.

 

Windows 10 KB3213986 Update Cripples Multi-monitor Gaming

The recent Cumulative Update for Windows 10 (KB3213986) cripples multi-monitor gaming, looking at the way Microsoft worded its "known issues" text. After the update is applied, users with multi-monitor setups could experience screen stuttering or clipped screens when running 3D apps on machines with more than one monitor. The only workaround Microsoft suggests for now entails running your 3D apps in non-fullscreen modes, such as windowed-maximized (pseudo-fullscreen) or windowed modes. Microsoft also goes as far as to suggest that people with multi-monitors could try starting their 3D apps with just one monitor connected.

"Users may experience delayed or clipped screens while running 3D rendering apps (such as games) on systems with more than one monitor," the change-log for the KB3213986 update reads. "To work around this issue please consider the following options: 1. Running the application in Windows mode (not full screen), or 2. Starting the application with only one monitor connected," it adds. The update effectively cripples multi-monitor gaming, using technologies such as AMD Eyefinity or NVIDIA 3D Vision Surround.





Source: Microsoft