Windows 10: Rechecking Safeguard Holds for Windows Update

jlat96 · May 2, 2022

I am on Windows 10 had a Windows 11 safeguard hold for a piece of software that I no longer needed that was preventing me from upgrading, so I uninstalled the offending software. I still get the warning about the safeguard hold in Windows Update. Is there a way to re-check the safeguard holds to clear the block?Thanks in advance

:)

TrueRock2 · May 2, 2022

Windows 10 Update - Safeguard Hold

I have several Windows 10 PCs that have recently been upgraded to Windows 10 version 1903. I also have several Windows 10 PCs that are not able to upgrade to Windows 10 version 1903. If you go to one of these Windows 10 version 1809 PCs and then go to
Settings, Update & Security, Windows Update, Check for updates... the response is: "You're up to date" - which is obviously wrong and is a bug in the Windows 10 "Check for updates" process.

I assume one of the more likely causes of this situation is that there is a "Safeguard Hold" on these particular PCs.

How does one determine if a Windows 10 PC has a "Safeguard Hold"?

Brink · May 2, 2022

Microsoft explains safeguard holds for Windows 10 Feature Updates

Safeguard holds

Microsoft uses quality and compatibility data to identify issues that might cause a Windows 10 feature update to fail or roll back. When we find such an issue, we might apply holds to the updating service to prevent affected devices from installing the update in order to safeguard them from these experiences. We also use holds when a customer, a partner, or Microsoft internal validation finds an issue that would cause severe impact (for example, rollback of the update, data loss, loss of connectivity, or loss of key functionality) and when a workaround is not immediately available.

Safeguard holds prevent a device with a known issue from being offered a new operating system version. We renew the offering once a fix is found and verified. We use holds to ensure customers have a successful experience as their device moves to a new version of Windows 10.

The lifespan of holds varies depending on the time required to investigate and fix an issue. During this time Microsoft works diligently to procure, develop, and validate a fix and then offer it to affected devices. We monitor quality and compatibility data to confirm that a fix is complete before releasing the hold. Once we release the hold, Windows Update will resume offering new operating system versions to devices.

Safeguard holds only affect devices that use the Window Update service for updates. We encourage IT admins who manage updates to devices through other channels (such as media installations or updates coming from Windows Server Update Services) to remain aware of known issues that might also be present in their environments.

Am I affected by a safeguard hold?

IT admins can use Update Compliance to monitor various update health metrics for devices in their organization, including ones affected by a safeguard hold that prevents them from updating to a newer operating system version.

Queries identify Safeguard IDs for each affected device, giving IT admins a detailed view into the various protections extended to devices. Safeguard IDs for publicly discussed known issues are also included in the Windows release health dashboard, where you can easily find information related to publicly available safeguards.

On devices that use Windows Update (but not Windows Update for Business), the Windows Update page in the Settings app displays a message stating that an update is on its way, but not ready for the device. Instead of the option to download and install the update, users will see this message:

If you see this message, it means one or more holds affect your device. When the issue is fixed and the update is safe to install, we’ll release the hold and the update can resume safely.

What can I do?

We recommend that you do not attempt to manually update until issues have been resolved and holds released.

Caution
Opting out of a safeguard hold can put devices at risk from known performance issues. We strongly recommend that you complete robust testing to ensure the impact is acceptable before opting out.

With that in mind, IT admins who stay informed with Update Compliance and the Windows release health dashboard can choose to temporarily opt-out of the protection of all safeguard holds and allow an update to proceed. We recommend opting out only in an IT environment and for validation purposes. If you do opt out of a hold, this condition is temporary. Once an update is complete, the protection of safeguard holds is reinstated automatically.
Click to expand...

Source: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/win...afeguard-holds

How to Disable Safeguard Holds for Feature Updates on Windows 10

TrueRock2 · May 2, 2022

Windows 10 Update - Safeguard Hold

Thanks Greg,

Yes, I am very familiar with your "Clean Install Windows 10" forum article - and - yes, it is the gold-standard for doing a clean install of Windows 10.

I did run the Windows Update Assistant, Windows10Upgrade9252.exe from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 on one of my problematic PCs - and, it worked.

I received this odd version of Windows 10 Update on a v1803 PC today (it had been stuck at v1803 for months):

I assume that V1903 is considered optional and not necessarily recommended for this PC.

At this point I'm thinking I may just hold off on v1903 updates for a few more weeks and give Microsoft more time to address some issues they apparently are having with some PCs.

Still, I wish there was a way to find out what specifically puts a specific PC into "Safeguard Hold".

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