Microsoft is rolling out changes to Windows Update that allow users to pause automatic updates indefinitely, extending the pause in 35-day increments as many times as needed. The updates are currently available to users on the Dev and Experimental Windows Insider channels, with the changes announced in a blog post on Friday, April 25, 2026.
Under the new system, users can reset to a fresh 35-day pause window with no limits on how many times they do so. If a user does not manually re-pause updates at the end of a 35-day period, updates will resume running as usual.
The rollout follows an announcement Microsoft made last month outlining a series of planned improvements to Windows 11 aimed at addressing common user complaints, with reducing update disruption listed as a primary goal.
Beyond the pause feature, Microsoft is also making several other changes to the update experience. Driver update notifications will now include more descriptive titles that specify the device class they apply to — such as display, audio, or battery. Windows 11 will also always display options in the power menu to restart or shut down without installing updates, and users setting up a new Windows device will have the option to skip updates during the setup process.
Microsoft is additionally changing how updates are delivered to reduce the frequency of required restarts. Rather than installing updates as they arrive, updates will download in the background and wait for a coordinated installation and restart, bundling multiple updates together.
Source: The Verge