Summary
-
Windows 11 is testing a calendar-based pause: choose an exact date to delay updates instead of using fixed presets.
-
This was found in the Insider preview build; it’s still a work in progress, but it looks promising so far.
-
This feature will hopefully restore user control as they can choose when updates arrive instead of relying on presets.
The topic of using Windows Update has always been a bone of contention between the user and Microsoft. Users update Windows on their own whim, and Microsoft prefers that everyone download updates for new fixes and features as soon as they’re released.
The current middle ground is the Pause Windows Update feature that allows you to delay updates, but only for a predetermined amount of time. Now, it looks like Microsoft is working on a more elegant solution that allows people to choose the date they want to postpone the update.
Microsoft will finally let you choose the date you want your updates delivered
I was a little surprised it took so long
This insight into how Windows 11 is shaping up is all thanks to this PhantomOfEarth’s post on X. If you’re meeting them for the first time, Phantom likes to learn Windows Insider builds for work-in-progress and experimental features that Microsoft hasn’t yet enabled. Their posts give a cool look behind the scenes and see what Microsoft is working on right now.
This time Phantom has struck gold as they have found a selector to pause new Windows 11 updates that allows you to choose the day you want the update to be delivered. It’s a big step up from choosing from preset time periods or hoping you’re good to update that day, or adjusting it manually later.
So how long can we delay the updates? Well, we’re not sure yet. While Phantom has responded to the original post with screenshots showing the calendar with selected dates, they warn us to be careful when drawing conclusions from them, as the feature is “in a non-distributed view structure”. Still, it’s nice to see people regaining a little more control over Windows 11 updates.
