Microsoft is currently testing a significant new feature that promises to give users full control over Windows 11 updates. This new capability allows users to select a specific date and pause system updates until that chosen date.
This feature is set to replace the current Windows Update mechanism, which utilized a dropdown menu. Previously, users could only pause updates for a maximum duration of five weeks.
The frequent update cycle of Windows 11, which is described as Windows as a Service, has been cited as both an advantage and a major problem. The operating system receives updates regularly—at least twice a month—and sometimes multiple times for out-of-band patches addressing issues caused by previous updates.
Currently, within the Settings > Windows Update page, the ‘More options’ section features a dropdown allowing users to pause updates for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 weeks. While 5 weeks represents the general upper limit via Windows Update, users with Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise editions have the capability to defer updates for months or even a year.
Microsoft previously indicated that it was working to make the Windows 11 experience ‘calmer and less annoying’ by offering greater control over updates, and it had stated its intention to allow users to pause updates for an indefinite length of time. Reports from Phantom on X, and verified by Windows Latest, confirm that early signs of this new feature are visible in preview builds.
The updated Windows 11 Update Settings page now includes a calendar flyout for pausing updates. This substantial change allows users to pinpoint a specific date on the calendar year and set the pause period until that chosen day.