Summary
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Windows 11 is testing a calendar-based pause: choose an exact date to delay updates instead of using fixed presets.
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It was found in an Insider preview; It’s still a work in progress, but it looks promising so far.
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The feature is expected to restore user control as they will be able to choose when updates arrive instead of relying on presets.
The issue of using Windows Update has always been a tug of war between the user and Microsoft. Users would prefer to update Windows at their own whim, while Microsoft would prefer everyone to download updates as soon as they are released for new fixes and features.
The current middle ground is Windows Update’s pause feature, which allows you to delay updates, but only for preset periods of time. Now, Microsoft is apparently working on a much more elegant solution that allows people to choose the date they want to delay the update.
Microsoft will finally let you choose the date you want your updates to be delivered
I’m a little surprised it took so long.
This information on how Windows 11 is shaping up is all thanks to PhantomOfEarth’s post on X. If you’re new to them, Phantom loves exploring Windows Insider builds for experimental and in-progress features that Microsoft hasn’t enabled yet. His posts give a peek behind the curtain and allow us to see what Microsoft is working on right now.
This time, Phantom struck gold, as they found a new Windows 11 Pause Update Picker that lets you choose the day you want the update to be delivered. It’s a big step up from choosing between preset time periods and hoping it’s okay to update that day or having to adjust it later manually.
So how long can we delay updates? Well, we’re not sure yet. While Phantom responds to the original post with screenshots showing the calendar with selectable dates, they warn us to be careful in drawing conclusions from them, as the feature “is in a preview version where it’s not even being rolled out.” Still, it’s good to see that people are taking back a little more control over when they update Windows 11.
