Microsoft will not let you defer Windows 10 update downloads anymore

You will no longer be able to manually defer Windows 10 update downloads. This is being done to ‘prevent confusion’ according to a statement issued by Microsoft.

The ability to defer updates was first introduced with Windows 10 1703 and allowed users to push back updates to a maximum of 365 days. Now, starting with Windows 10 2004, you will no longer have the same control as the Advanced Update options have been reduced to the ability to pause updates for 35 days at maximum, reports Windows Times.

Education and Enterprise users and users on Windows 10 Pro had access to the option to defer the two biannual Windows 10 feature updates unless support for their device’s version was about to be withdrawn.

Windows 10 2004 users first noticed that the option had been revoked after the May 2020 update. Post this, it was also discovered that Microsoft had updated documentation for IT professionals running the OS.

“To enable all devices to make the most of this policy change, and to prevent confusion, we have removed deferrals from the Windows Update settings Advanced Options page starting on Windows 10, version 2004,” Microsoft said in the document.

However, there is a workaround, update deferral can be configured by business users of Windows 10 via group policies. Here’s what Microsoft suggests -

If you wish to continue leveraging deferrals, you can -

- Use local Group Policy (Computer Configuration Administrative Templates

- Go to Windows Components

- Click on Windows Update

- Go to Windows Update for Business

- Select when Preview builds and Feature Updates are received or Select when Quality Updates are received.