Usually, when a new version of Windows 10 becomes available, it may still contain unknown bugs, some features may not work correctly on every system configuration, and device drivers may break due to compatibility problems with the new release, and these are some of the reasons that deferring an upgrade until most issues are fixed can be a good idea. In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to stop Windows 10 from installing “October 2018 Update” on your computer using the Settings app, Group Policy, and even using a metered connection if you’re running Windows 10 Home.
How to defer Windows 10 October 2018 Update using Settings How to defer Windows 10 version 1809 using Group Policy How to defer Windows 10 version 1809 on Windows 10 Home
How to defer Windows 10 October 2018 Update using Settings
If you’re using the latest version of Windows 10, you can use the Settings app to defer new features updates and pause quality updates. However, these options are only available on Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise. In the Windows as Service (WaaS) servicing process 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 by default, and this level receives upgrades as soon as a new version of Windows 10 releases. The “Semi-Annual Channel“ branch gets feature updates when Microsoft is confident that features are ready for enterprise deployment. (If you want to delay a new version as long as possible, you should use this option.) If you’re running Windows 10 using the “Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted)” branch, you can delay 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 new versions 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 defer feature updates using the Settings app, do the following: Once you completed the steps, Windows 10 will not install a new version until after the defer time you specified. Windows 10 update settings You’ll also notice that there’s an option to defer cumulative 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 from being installed for up to 35 days.
How to defer Windows 10 version 1809 using Group Policy
It’s recommended to defer the Windows 10 Redstone 5 (version 1809) using the Settings app, but you can also use the Local Group Policy editor to achieve the same result. To defer feature updates using the Local Group Policy editor, do the following: After completing the steps, Windows 10 won’t try to download and install the October 2018 Update until the day you specified in the policy. Windows Update for Business in Group Policy
Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted) — stops Windows 10 from installing version 1809 for up to 12 months using the next step to specify the number of days. Semi-Annual Channel — stops Windows 10 from installing version 1809 for up to 16 months using the next step to specify the number of days.
Select when Preview Builds and Feature Updates are received policy
How to defer Windows 10 version 1809 on Windows 10 Home
If you’re running Windows 10 Home, you can’t block the October 2018 Update from installing automatically on your computer. However, it’s possible to set your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection as metered, which limits Windows access to the internet, including the ability to download and install feature updates automatically.
Setting a Wi-Fi connection as metered to defer version 1809
To set a wireless connection as metered on Windows 10, do the following:
Setting an Ethernet connection as metered to defer version 1809
To set a Ethernet (wired) connection as metered on Windows 10, do the following: Windows 10 Wi-Fi settings Set Wi-Fi 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. Windows 10 Ethernet settings Set Ethernet connection as metered on Windows 10
Wrapping things up
Although this guide outlines the steps to block the Windows 10 version 1809 (Redstone 5) from installing automatically as soon as it’s available, you should consider using these instructions only if you have a good reason. While software updates can sometimes cause some issues, they’re important to protect your device and files from hackers, viruses, ransomware and other types of malware. The October 2018 Update improves many aspects of Windows 10, and it also introduces a lot of new features, such as a new cloud-powered clipboard that allows you to copy and paste content across devices. Screen Sketch is a new app to make it easier to take screenshots on Windows 10. Storage Sense gains a new option to cleanup OneDrive files. You can now change system font size. The File Explorer gets a dark theme, and there are a lot of new improvements. 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 fixed to prevent issues on your desktop computer, laptop, or tablet. Microsoft is planning to release the October 2018 Update sometime in October, but it’s still unknown the specific release date. However, it’s recommended to apply the settings to delay the upgrade before the next version comes out. Are you installing Windows 10 version 1809 right away or you’re planning to block it? Let us know in the comments. 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.
