End to surprise Windows 10 updates? New 'download and install now' option rolls out
As Microsoft promised in early April, Windows 10 is gaining a new option that gives users better control over when its twice-yearly major feature updates are installed.
Windows 10
That option is called 'Download and install now' and should help Windows 10 users avoid unintentionally accepting a feature update after using Windows Update to check for new patches.
While clicking 'Check for updates' could mean checking for monthly or security updates, historically it's also triggered the installation of a feature update, which can be a major disruption.
SEE: 20 pro tips to make Windows 10 work the way you want (free PDF)
For now, the option has started turning up on preview versions of Windows 10 1903 and the May 2019 Update.
A screenshot from a Reddit user shows that below the 'Check for updates' button, and within the section titled 'Additional updates available', there's the new option to 'Download and install now'. In this case, the 'Download and install now option' has been made available for a cumulative update.
Below the 'Check for updates' button, and within the section titled 'Additional updates available', there's the new option to 'Download and install now'.
Choosing to download and install when offered a feature update is taken as confirmation that the user wants that update. From that point on, the feature update can then only be paused for up to 35 days.
By not clicking on 'Download and install now', the new feature update can be avoided so long as the version of Windows 10 currently running is supported and not nearing end of support.
Microsoft hasn't specified how close it means by "nearing". However, if it detects machines running Windows in that state, they will automatically be pushed the next feature update.
The extra control here means that users can click 'Check for updates' to get updates besides the feature update, while the 'Download and install now' option gives users control over the feature update.
Microsoft will also extend this 'Download and install now' control to Windows 10 versions 1803 and 1809 by late May, which is when it plans to release Windows 10 1903 to the general public.
The new controls are part of Microsoft's response to the troubles users experienced after it released Windows 10 version 1809.
More on Microsoft Windows 10 updates
- Windows 10 PC with under 32GB storage? No 1903 update for you, says Microsoft
- Microsoft: Windows 10 to grab 7GB of your storage so big updates don't fail
- Windows 10 October 2018 Update: Dump your files to avoid crashes, warns Microsoft
- Windows 10: Microsoft lists the processors you'll need for the May 2019 Update
- Windows 10: Buggy patch stalls testing of 20H1 preview
- Windows patch warning: Windows 10 boot problems, as Windows 7 AV clash widens
- How to turn features on and off in Microsoft Windows 10 from the Control Panel TechRepublic
- How to reinstall updates that Windows 10 automatically uninstalled CNET