Force Windows Updates To Notify Before Downloading

I’ve railed against Microsoft’s policy of forced updates since the very beginning, it’s the one aspect of Windows 10 that I really don’t like. Users can quite easily decide when to install updates, at a time that is convenient, but have little to zero control over when updates are downloaded-– or so I thought. A Skype conversation with DCT’s Editor and good friend, Richard Pedersen, led me to a solution that forces Windows 10 to notify the user prior to downloading any new updates. A system whereby the updates cannot download until the user gives his or her permission by clicking on a button. Of course, if updates cannot be downloaded, then they also cannot be installed. So, this simple tweak puts the user in full control over when updates are applied.

For Windows 10 Pro users, this is achieved via the Group Policy Editor. For Windows 10 Home users, the same can be achieved via a Registry edit.

NOTE: This tweak will add a message into Windows Update that Some settings are managed by your organization. That is perfectly normal and nothing to be concerned about.

Via Group Policy

In Windows 10 Pro, open a Run dialogue box: press the Windows + R keys

• Type in gpedit.msc and hit Enter
• Down the left-hand panel in the Group Policy Editor navigate to the following setting:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update

• Double-click Configure Automatic Updates

• In the new window that opens select Enabled
• Expand the drop-down menu under “Configure automatic updating” and select option #2 Notify for download and auto install

Click Apply, OK, and then restart your computer.

From now on, you will be notified when updates are ready to download and nothing will be downloaded or installed until you click a “Download” button. No need to defer updates or set a metered connection, no need for any third-party software, the updates will sit there waiting to be downloaded and installed until you are ready.

Via Registry

Windows 10 Home users can achieve the same thing via a registry edit. This is a fairly complicated registry edit so if you are not comfortable working with the registry I suggest you leave it alone. Regardless, the usual warning applies:

Standard Registry Editing Warning: The following instructions will ask you to edit your Windows Registry. Be sure to make a backup of your Registry before you make any changes. Making mistakes in the Registry can cause hard-to-diagnose problems, or even keep Windows from functioning properly. If you don’t know how to back up your Registry, please read Windows Quick Tips – Backup/Restore Registry.

Open a Run dialogue box: press the Windows + R keys

• Type in regedit and hit Enter
• Navigate down the left-hand panel to the following entry

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

• Create a new key under the Windows key (right-click “Windows” and select New > Key) and set its name as WindowsUpdate
• Create another key under “WindowsUpdate” and name it AU
• Under this path, in the right-hand pane, create a new DWORD AUOptions
• Double-click the new DWORD (AUOptions) and set the value data to 2 (two) then click OK

Your new registry entry should look like this:

Exit the Registry Editor and restart the computer.

FURTHER READING:

• How To Fix Windows 10 Updates

• How To View/Uninstall Windows 10 Updates

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