How to temporarily prevent a Windows Update from reinstalling in Windows 10

Symptoms

In Windows 10, your device is always kept up to date with the latest features and fixes. Windows Updates are installed automatically, with no need to select which updates are needed or not needed. In rare cases, a specific update might temporarily cause issues with your device, and in this case you will need a way to prevent the problematic update from reinstalling automatically the next time Windows Updates are installed.

Resolution

If an update you are being offered is causing system crashes or instability and Windows was operating correctly prior to that change, you can follow these instructions to prevent the unwanted driver or update from being installed:

Type “View Installed Updates” in the Search box and then click on View Installed Updates – Control Panel from the Search results.

To uninstall the unwanted update, select it from the list and then click Uninstall.

To temporarily prevent the update from being reinstalled until an updated fix is available, a troubleshooter is available that provides a user interface for hiding and showing Windows Updates and drivers for Windows 10. You can obtain and run the «Show or hide updates» troubleshooter by downloading it from the Microsoft Download Center:

Download the «Show or hide updates» troubleshooter package now.

Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.

When you click on the download link, you will be prompted to open or save wushowhide.diagcab.

Opening wushowhide.diagcab will launch the troubleshooter. Then click Next to proceed and follow the instructions provided by the troubleshooter to hide the problematic driver or update.

More Information

3073930 — How to temporarily prevent a driver update from reinstalling in Windows 10

How to prevent Windows 10 from installing version 1903, May 2019 Update

You can avert unwanted problems by delaying the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, version 1903, on your device until you’re ready, and in this guide, you’ll learn how to do it.

On Windows 10, devices receive two feature updates each year, which usually introduce new features, changes, and improvements to enhance the overall experience and security. The only caveat is that these updates (such as version 1903, May 2019 Update) are mandatory and they install automatically, and because during the early days upgrades may still have issues, they can negatively affect the user experience.

Although it may not always be the case, when a new release of Windows 10 becomes available, it may still contain bugs, new or existing features may not work correctly, and drivers may break as a result of compatibility problems with the new version, which is why it’s a good idea to defer an upgrade until you are sure that most problems are resolved.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to block Windows 10 from installing the “May 2019 Update” on your computer using the Settings app, Group Policy, and setting a metered connection (if you’re running Windows 10 Home).

How to block Windows 10 version 1903 using Settings

If you’re running Windows 10 Pro with the latest update, you can use the Settings app to block new feature updates using the advanced settings for Windows Update.

Using the Windows as Service (WaaS) servicing program there are two branch readiness levels to obtain features updates. The “Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted)” readiness level is the default option that every device is enrolled out-of-the-box, and this level receives upgrades immediately after a new version of Windows 10 releases.

On the other hand, the “Semi-Annual Channel“ branch gets feature updates when Microsoft is confident that the new version is ready for enterprise deployment.

If you’re running Windows 10 using the “Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted)” branch, you can block a new version for up to 365 days since the day it was original released. Selecting the “Semi-Annual Channel” branch, also allows you to defer upgrades for up to 365 days, but devices enrolled in this level will receive the new release with features 4 months after it’s available in the “Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted).” Therefore, using the “Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted)” branch, you can defer feature updates up to 16 months.

To block feature updates using the Settings app, use these steps:

Open Settings.

Click on Update & Security.

Click on Windows Update.

Click the Advanced options link.

Windows 10 version 1809 update settings

Under “Choose when updates are installed,” select the readiness level: Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted) or Semi-Annual Channel.

Select the number of days, up to 365 days that you want to defer installing Windows 10 version 1903 (19H1).

Windows Update advanced options to defer version 1903

Once you’ve completed the steps, Windows 10 will not install a new version until after the defer time you specified.

You’ll also notice that there’s an option to defer monthly updates, but you can only postpone these updates up to 30 days. However, you can use the Pause Updates option that temporarily prevents new updates (including feature updates) from being installed for up to 35 days.

How to block Windows 10 version 1903 using Group Policy

Alternatively, you can also block the Windows 10 May 2019 Update using the Local Group Policy editor.

To defer feature updates using Group Policy, use these steps:

Open Start.

Search for gpedit.msc, and click the top result to open the Local Group Policy Editor.

Browse the following path:

Double-click the Select when Preview Builds and Feature Updates are received policy.

Windows Update for Business in Group Policy on version 1809

Select the Enabled option.

Under “Options”, select one of the following options using the drop-down menu:

• Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted) — stops Windows 10 from installing version 1903 for up to 12 months using the next step to specify the number of days.
• Semi-Annual Channel — stops Windows 10 from installing version 1903 for up to 16 months using the next step to specify the number of days.

Select the number of days to defer upgrades. You can stop Windows 10 from trying to install a new version for up to 365 days.

Block Windows 10 version 1903 using Group Policy settings

Click the Apply button.

Click the OK button.

After completing the steps, Windows 10 won’t try to download and install the May 2019 Update until the day you specified in the policy.

How to block Windows 10 version 1903 on Windows 10 Home

If you’re running Windows 10 Home, you can’t defer the May 2019 Update on your computer, but you can set a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection as metered, which limits access to the internet, including the ability to download and install feature updates automatically.

Setting a Wi-Fi connection as metered to delay version 1903

To set a wireless connection as metered on Windows 10, use these steps:

Open Settings.

Click on Network & Internet.

Click on Wi-Fi.

Select the Wi-Fi connection to access its settings.

Windows 10 Wi-Fi settings

Turn on the Set as metered connection toggle switch to enable and restrict background data usage.

Set Wi-Fi connection as metered on Windows 10

Setting an Ethernet connection as metered to delay version 1903

To set a Ethernet (wired) connection as metered on Windows 10, use these steps:

Open Settings.

Click on Network & Internet.

Click on Ethernet.

Select the wire Ethernet connection to access its settings.

Windows 10 Ethernet settings

Turn on the Set as metered connection toggle switch to enable and restrict background data usage.

Set Ethernet connection as metered on Windows 10

This method will block all kinds of updates, meaning that your computer will be unprotected until you disable the metered connection.

Wrapping things up

This guide outlines multiple methods to stop the next version of Windows 10 (version 1903) from installing automatically on your device, but you should only use these recommendations only if you know something is wrong with the update or you have a good reason. Although updates can introduce new problems, they’re important to safeguard your data and installation from hackers and malware.

The May 2019 Update introduces a new set of improvements that changes various aspects of the operating system, and it introduces several new features, such as Windows Sandbox to test untrusted apps. You’ll find a new light theme that expands to the Start menu, taskbar, action center, and more. Reserved partition will now help your device to install updates without problems. Windows 10 will be able to fix common problems automatically, and a lot more..

These instructions are only meant to help you stop Windows 10 from installing a new version until you’re sure that bugs and issues during the early day have been resolved to prevent problems on your desktop, laptop, or tablet.

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How to prevent Windows 10 from installing version 2004, May 2020 Update

You can avoid unwanted problems by delaying the Windows 10 May 2020 Update (version 2004) as much as possible until you’re ready, and in this guide, you’ll learn how to complete this task.

On Windows 10, feature updates, such as version 2004, are technically new versions that ship with new features, changes, and improvements to enhance the experience and security. The only caveat is that because these releases haven’t been broadly tested, during the early days upgrades may still contain bugs, some features may not work correctly, and drivers may break as a result of compatibility problems.

Although new releases of Windows 10 no longer download and install automatically until you initiate the upgrade manually, eventually, they will. Also, on devices getting close to the end of service, Windows Update will install the feature update automatically to keep your device supported.

If you want to keep your device away from the new version as long as possible, Windows 10 includes various methods to prevent automatic upgrades using the Settings app, Group Policy, and even a metered connection.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to block Windows 10 from installing the May 2020 Update on your device.

How to block Windows 10 version 2004 using Settings

On Windows 10 Pro or Home, the May 2020 Update (version 2004) won’t download automatically until you start the process manually. This means that if you want to prevent Windows 10 from installing the new version, the only thing you have to do is not to click the Download and Install now option in the “Windows Update” settings page.

However, you can further make sure, or if your device is nearing the end of service, you can use the Windows Update settings to block feature updates for up to 365 days since the day it was original released.

To block Windows 10 version 2004 with the Windows Update settings, use these steps:

Open Settings.

Click on Update & Security.

Click on Windows Update.

Click the Advanced options button.

Windows Update settings with Advanced options

Under the “Choose when updates are installed” section, select the number of days, up to 365 days to defer installing Windows 10 version 2004.

Delay Windows 10 version 2020 using Settings

Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 won’t try to install a new version until after the defer time you specified.

In addition, you have an option to defer monthly updates, but you can only postpone these updates up to 30 days. However, you can use the Pause Updates option that temporarily prevents new updates (including new major releases) from being installed for up to 35 days.

How to block Windows 10 version 2004 using Group Policy

You can also block the Windows 10 May 2020 Update using the Local Group Policy editor.

To use Group Policy to defer a Windows 10 feature update, use these steps:

Open Start.

Search for gpedit.msc, and click the top result to open the Local Group Policy Editor.

Browse the following path:

Double-click the Select when Preview Builds and Feature Updates are received policy.

Group Policy Windows Update for business policies

Select the Enabled option.

Under the “Options” section, use the drop-down menu, and select the Semi-Annual Channel option.

Select the number of days (up to 365) to defer upgrades.

Block Windows 10 version 2004 using Group Policy

Click the Apply button.

Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, Windows 10 won’t download and install version 2004 until the day you specified in the policy.

How to block Windows 10 version 2004 on Windows 10 Home

On Windows 10 Home, the defer option won’t be available, but you can always set a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection as metered, which limits access to the internet, including the ability to download and install feature updates automatically.

Setting a Wi-Fi connection as metered to delay May 2020 Update

To set a Wi-Fi connection as metered to block Windows 10 updates, use these steps:

Open Settings.

Click on Network & Internet.

Click on Wi-Fi.

Select the Wi-Fi connection to access its settings.

Windows 10 Wi-Fi settings

Turn on the Set as metered connection toggle switch to enable and restrict background data usage.

Set Wi-Fi connection as metered on Windows 10

Setting an Ethernet connection as metered to delay May 2020 Update

To set a Ethernet (wired) connection as metered to block feature updates, use these steps:

Open Settings.

Click on Network & Internet.

Click on Ethernet.

Select the wire Ethernet connection.

Windows 10 Ethernet settings

Turn on the Set as metered connection toggle switch to enable and restrict background data usage.

Set Ethernet connection as metered on Windows 10

This method will block all kinds of updates, which means that your device will be unprotected until you disable the metered connection.

This guide outlines multiple methods to stop the next version of Windows 10 version 2004 from installing automatically, but you should only use these recommendations if you know something is wrong with the update or you have a good reason not to upgrade. Although updates can introduce new problems, they’re important to safeguard your data and installation from hackers and malware.

We may earn commission for purchases using our links to help keep offering the free content. Privacy policy info.

All content on this site is provided with no warranties, express or implied. Use any information at your own risk. Always backup of your device and files before making any changes. Privacy policy info.