How to Pause Windows Update in Windows 11

Did you know that you can pause updates in Windows 11? Here’s how.

Windows 11 automatically updates at least once every week or whenever there is a new update available. Generally, this is good because it keeps your system up-to-date with new features and security fixes. In fact, in most cases, you don’t even notice when Windows is updating. However, automatic updates can cause system instability at times, especially if your computer is old. For example, the Windows update might be downloading the wrong drivers, causing issues due to a bug in an update, etc. In these cases, you can easily pause Windows Updates in Windows 11 so that the problems can be sorted out either at your end or at Microsoft’s end.

In this quick and easy tutorial, let me show you the steps to pause automatic Windows updates in Windows 11 and also manually resume when needed. Let’s get started.

Before You Begin

• You can only pause automatic updates in Windows 11 for up to 5 weeks. After that, updates will installed automatically.

Steps to Pause Windows Updates in Windows 11

1. Open the Settings app with the “Windows key + I” shortcut.
2. Go to the “Windows Update” tab on the sidebar.
3. Click the “Pause for 1 week” option next to the “Pause Updates” option.
4. To extend the pause duration, click the dropdown icon and select the appropriate option.
5. You can pause Windows updates for up to 5 weeks.
6. Close the Settings app.
7. With that, you’ve paused automatic updates in Windows 11.

Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)

First, open the Settings app with the “Windows key + I” keyboard shortcut. Next, click the “Windows Update” option on the sidebar. This is where you can manage Windows Update settings in Windows 11.

Since we want to pause updates, click the “Pause for 1 week” button next to “Pause updates” on the right page.

If you want to pause updates even longer, click the dropdown menu icon next to the “Pause for 1 week” button and select the time period of your choice.

As soon as you select the option, the updates are paused. You can also see the exact date when the automatic updates are resumed automatically.

If needed, you can extend the pause state by clicking the “Extent for 1 week” option or clicking one of the other dropdown options. As of now, Windows 11 lets you pause updates for up to 5 weeks. This option is handy if you want to extend the pause duration of Windows Updates.

After pausing updates in Windows 11, restart the computer, and you are good to go.

Steps to Resume Windows Updates in Windows 11

1. Press “Windows key + I” to launch Settings.
2. Go to the “Windows Update” tab on the sidebar.
3. Click the “Resume updates” button on the right page.
4. With that, automatic updates are resumed in Windows 11.
5. The system will automatically check and install available updates.

Note: You can also force Windows to check and install available updates by clicking the “Check for updates” button.

That is all. It is that simple pause and resume automatic updates in Windows 11. If you are using Windows 10, you can also pause updates in it. Follow this guide—how to pause updates in Windows 10.

If you have any questions or need help, comment below. I’ll be happy to help.