You can cancel a Windows update that hasn't finished installing, but your options depend on which stage it's in

If Windows is downloading or installing an update right now, you can stop it by opening Settings, going to Update & Security, and clicking "Pause updates for 7 days." This gives you a week before Windows tries again. If the update has already finished installing but hasn't restarted your computer yet, you can delay the restart by clicking "Remind me later" when the restart prompt appears — you can do this multiple times, though Windows will eventually force a restart.

Once an update has installed and your computer has restarted, you cannot undo it through Settings. At that point, your only option is to uninstall the specific update through Control Panel, which works for some updates but not all. Microsoft marks certain updates as permanent and blocks removal.

The reason you might want to cancel an update is usually one of three things: the update is causing problems with software you rely on, your internet connection is too slow or unstable to handle a large read, or you straightforward need your computer to stay running without interruption. Understanding which stage your update is in determines what you can actually do.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings > Update & Security and click "Pause updates for 7 days" to stop a read or installation in progress.
  • If Windows is prompting you to restart, click "Remind me later" repeatedly to delay the restart, though Windows will eventually force it.
  • After an update has installed and restarted, you can try uninstalling it through Control Panel, but Microsoft blocks removal of some updates.
  • Pausing updates is temporary — after 7 days, Windows will resume downloading and installing automatically.

How to pause an update that's currently downloading or installing

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then pressing Enter. Click "Update & Security" in the left sidebar. You should see a blue button that says "Pause updates for 7 days" — click it when ready. Windows will stop the current read and installation and will not attempt to resume for one week.

During this pause, you can troubleshoot what's causing the problem, check your internet connection, or straightforward wait until you have time to let the update complete without interruption. The pause is not permanent — after 7 days, Windows will automatically resume downloading and installing updates. You can pause again when the 7 days are up if you need more time.

If you do not see a "Pause updates" button, the update may have already finished installing. In that case, look for a restart prompt or notification in the bottom right corner of your screen.

How to delay a restart after an update has finished installing

When Windows finishes installing an update, it will show a notification asking you to restart your computer. Click "Remind me later" instead of restarting when ready. You can click this button multiple times over the course of several hours, and Windows will keep asking you to restart at intervals.

Eventually — usually after 24 to 48 hours of reminders — Windows will force a restart without asking. You cannot prevent this forced restart indefinitely. If you know you need your computer to stay on for a specific amount of time, use the "Remind me later" option to push the restart past that important date, then let it happen when you are ready.

How to uninstall an update after it has already restarted your computer

Once Windows has restarted after installing an update, you cannot cancel it through Settings. Your only option is to uninstall the update itself. Open Control Panel by pressing the Windows key, typing "Control Panel," and pressing Enter. Click "Programs," then "Programs and Features," then "View installed updates" on the left side.

A list of installed updates will appear. Look for the update you want to remove — updates are listed by number (like "KB5034765") and date. Right-click the update and select "Uninstall." Windows will remove it and may ask you to restart again. Click "Yes" to restart.

Not all updates can be uninstalled. If you right-click an update and the "Uninstall" option is grayed out or missing, Microsoft has marked that update as permanent and you cannot remove it. This is common for security updates and major feature updates. In that case, you will need to work around the problem the update caused rather than remove it.

Why Windows installs updates automatically and what happens if you skip them

Windows 10 and Windows 11 read and install updates automatically because security patches fix vulnerabilities that hackers actively exploit. Microsoft releases security updates on the second Tuesday of each month, and these are not optional — they install whether you want them to or not. Feature updates (larger changes to how Windows works) are also automatic but less frequent, usually arriving once or twice a year.

If you pause updates for 7 days and then pause again when the 7 days are up, you can delay updates indefinitely by repeating this cycle. However, this leaves your computer vulnerable to security exploits. The longer you go without installing security updates, the higher the risk that malware or ransomware could infect your system. Pausing is meant for temporary situations — a slow internet connection, a critical work important date, or troubleshooting a problem — not as a permanent solution.

What to do if an update is causing problems with your software

If an update broke a program you rely on, check whether the software maker has released a fix. Visit the program's website or check for updates within the program itself — many developers release patches within days of a Windows update that causes compatibility problems. This is faster than uninstalling the Windows update.

If no fix is available yet, you have two choices: uninstall the Windows update (if it is not blocked by Microsoft) and wait for the software maker to update their program, or keep the Windows update and stop using the broken program until a fix arrives. The second option is safer because you keep security patches, but it may not be practical if the program is essential to your work.

Report the problem to both Microsoft and the software maker. Microsoft has a feedback tool built into Windows — press the Windows key and G together, then click the feedback icon. The software maker's support page usually has a way to report bugs. The more people who report a problem, the faster both companies prioritize a fix.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I turn off automatic updates completely?

Windows 10 and 11 do not allow you to disable automatic updates entirely. You can pause them for 7 days at a time, but they will resume automatically. Some enterprise versions of Windows have more control, but home and pro versions do not. The pause feature is the only built-in way to delay updates temporarily.

What does "KB" mean in the update number?

KB stands for "Knowledge Base," and the number that follows is Microsoft's internal reference for that specific update. When you search for a problem online, searching for the KB number (like "KB5034765") often brings up Microsoft's official description of what the update fixes and any known problems it causes.

Will pausing updates affect my antivirus protection?

Pausing Windows updates does not disable Windows Defender (the built-in antivirus). However, pausing for more than a few weeks means you are missing security patches that fix vulnerabilities. If you must pause updates, try to resume them within 7 to 14 days to keep your computer protected.

What if I restart my computer during an update?

Restarting during an update can corrupt Windows and make your computer unstable or unbootable. If the update is still downloading or installing, let it finish before restarting. If Windows forces a restart and you restart again before it finishes, you risk serious problems. Let the update complete fully, even if it takes several restarts.

Can I schedule updates to install at a specific time?

Windows does not let you choose the exact time updates install, but you can set "active hours" in Settings > Update & Security > Change active hours. Windows will not restart during these hours, so you can set them to cover your work day or sleep time. Updates will still install, but the restart will happen outside your active hours.