Microsoft may finally end forced Windows 11 updates with updated pause feature
Windows 11 users may soon be able to pause updates indefinitely
Microsoft has started testing a new Windows update that allows Windows 11 users to pause OS updates indefinitely. If implemented as-is, this would allow Windows users to end forced updates by pausing updates for a time in the far-off future. Right now, Windows 11 only allows users to pause updates for five weeks.
A Twitter/X user called “phantomofearth” first spotted this change, though his findings were later verified by Windows Latest. Windows Latest has stated that Microsoft plans to “let you pause updates for as long as you want”, giving users more control over their systems.
Last month, Microsoft’s Scott Hanselman said that Microsoft wants to make Windows 11 a “calmer and more chill OS”. Allowing users to set their systems to update less frequently will go a long way toward making Windows 11 less annoying.
(Windows 11 users can currently delay updates for up to five weeks)
Right now, preview builds of Windows 11 are available that let users set an arbitrary date to pause updates to. It is currently unknown if this feature will be implemented as-is into Windows 11 or if it will be changed before Microsoft’s updated “Paused Updates” feature is rolled out. Honestly, giving Windows 11 users more control over their systems is a good thing.
First look at changes coming to Windows 11's pause updates option!
The button/dropdown menu are being replaced with a button for a calendar view, which lets you choose a specific date to pause until (instead of 1 week, 2 weeks, etc. and having to manually resume early). pic.twitter.com/mv6yw76cNL
— phantomofearth 🌳 (@phantomofearth) April 11, 2026
While this is a small tweak, it is a move in the right direction for Microsoft. While delaying updates for too long has security implications, users should be allowed to control when their systems update. Clearly, Microsoft is finally working on addressing Windows 11’s longstanding bugbears.
You can join the discussion on Microsoft’s plan to revamp Windows updates on the OC3D Forums.
