Windows to revamp update controls, allowing users to pause updates longer and restart on their own terms – Firstpost

Every Windows user is aware of the intrusive prompts to restart their device, which can hinder productivity. A message often appears on the screen asking you to restart due to pending updates, forcing you to reassess your priorities. To help a large number of employees deal with this issue, Windows is finally ready to give users more feedback and, importantly, a choice about when they want to update their operating system.

Windows has highlighted that two of the most prominent pieces of feedback it received from users were the disruption caused by untimely updates and the lack of control over them. As a result, Microsoft says it is rolling out changes to the Windows 11 update policy to give people more control over their PC experience, while still keeping devices secure by design and by default.

Pause updates indefinitely

Until now, Windows allowed a 35-day window before users were forced to install all pending updates on their device. The 35-day window remains the same, but Microsoft now allows users to delay updates indefinitely in 35-day increments. This means users can effectively pause Windows updates for as long as they want by extending the delay every 35 days.

Previously, Windows users were often forced to complete the installation of pending updates just to shut down their laptops. Microsoft has addressed this by restoring standard Restart and Shutdown options in the Windows Power menu, allowing users to turn off their devices without being compelled to update or restart.

Other new changes Microsoft is bringing in

Microsoft plans to reduce interruptions for Windows users and streamline the overall experience. As part of these improvements, the company is introducing several updates:

• Unified monthly reboots: Microsoft will unify the update experience by combining driver, .NET, and firmware updates into a single monthly quality update. This aims to reduce the number of updates users encounter each month.

• Clearer driver update categories: To address confusion around driver updates, Windows will now display the device class for each update. Updates will be explicitly labeled into categories such as display, audio, and battery, making it easier for users to understand and prioritize them.

• Skipping updates during setup: Windows is also working on allowing users to skip updates during the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE). This means users can set up their device first after unboxing it and choose to install updates later.

These new changes have been rolled out to Windows Insider and experimental channels and are expected to arrive for mainstream users soon.