Block Windows 10 Updates with StopUpdates10

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CyberTech

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Nov 10, 2017
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Block Windows 10 Updates with StopUpdates10

StopUpdates10 is a free program for Microsoft's Windows 10 operating system that modifies some system settings to block Windows Updates on the target device.

While it is usually not a good idea to block the installation of updates, as you'd block non-critical and security updates alike, doing so may sometimes be necessary as a temporary measure.

The new cumulative nature of updates introduced an all or nothing approach to updates; it is no longer possible to block specific updates with issues. The only option users and administrators have is to block all updates temporarily until issues are resolved.

Doing so is far from ideal as you may block important security updates when you block updates.

Note: Microsoft changed the update scheme to rollup updates on Windows 7 and Windows 8 systems in 2016 as well (and Server variants).

Windows 10 comes with options to delay the installation of updates. You may use the Settings app, Group Policy, or Registry for that.

StopUpdates10
stop-updates-windows-10.png


StopUpdates10 creates Registry keys that are created when you set update related policies to block Windows updates on the device the application is run on.

The application checks the current status of the system on launch and displays either the "stop Windows Updates" or "Restore Windows Updates" button in the interface based on that initial test.

A click on the stop Windows Updates button writes data to the Registry that blocks updating functionality. You can verify this by opening Windows Updates in the Settings app and clicking on the "check for updates" button. It returns an error when you do so after you block updates.

You may restore updating functionality at any time by selecting the "restore Windows Updates" option that the program comes with. Another option that you have is to uninstall the program as it will reset the settings during removal on the system.

Administrators may run the program with command line parameters.
  • StopUpdates10.exe /disable​
  • StopUpdates10.exe /restore​
Both need to be run with elevated rights.

Closing Words
StopUpdates10 does what it is supposed to do: it blocks the update functionality on Windows 10 devices when it is run.

One question remains: who is this for? Administrators may prefer to set the policies manually as it gives them more control and avoids having to run a third-party tool. That leaves Home users; Pro users may configure the policies as well, but it is clear that it is faster with StopUpdates10.

I'd say it is a good option for Home users who want to block updates temporarily on the system.

Source: StopUpdates10 « Remove Malware
 
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