Windows Update Change Maximum Days to Pause Windows Update in Windows 11

Sayur Lapis · Sep 9, 2025

Brink said:
For Windows Insider builds, the FlightSettingsMaxPauseDays DWORD value used in this tutorial will automatically get reset back to its default 7 days each time you either Check for Updates or Resume updates.

Hi Brink, you mentioned this for Windows Insider, but what about the non insider version ? Will it revert back to 35 days if I hit resume updates ?
Thanks a lot

Brink · Sep 10, 2025

Sayur Lapis said:
Hi Brink, you mentioned this for Windows Insider, but what about the non insider version ? Will it revert back to 35 days if I hit resume updates ?
Thanks a lot

Hello,

You'll just need to pause it for how long you want again after a resume.

Sayur Lapis · Sep 10, 2025

Brink said:
Hello,

You'll just need to pause it for how long you want again after a resume.

Yeah, I mean it will reset back to its default value which is from 7 to 35 days for the public release right ?
For insider it will be only maximum 7 days, but for public, it will back to 7 - 35 days option right ?

And then, is it safe to edit registry to add max pause days for windows update like this ?
Will it break something ?
I mean, because I heard editing registry can be fatal, and break windows
I just want to make sure

Thankyou as always

Brink · Sep 10, 2025

Sayur Lapis said:
Yeah, I mean it will reset back to its default value which is from 7 to 35 days for the public release right ?
For insider it will be only maximum 7 days, but for public, it will back to 7 - 35 days option right ?

And then, is it safe to edit registry to add max pause days for windows update like this ?
Will it break something ?
I mean, because I heard editing registry can be fatal, and break windows
I just want to make sure

Thankyou as always

It's safe to use.

Normally, the added max pause will still be available, but no guarantee a installed update may reset it back to defaults.

Sayur Lapis · Sep 10, 2025

Brink said:
It's safe to use.

Normally, the added max pause will still be available, but no guarantee a installed update may reset it back to defaults.

Sorry Brink, I hope that you are not mad if I ask many questions :crys:

What do you mean by "no guarantee a installed update may reset it back to defaults" ?
Is it like the case with a guy where after applying this in registry, the paused interval can only be at 7 days maximum despite he's not in insider channel ?
Like it's glitching or something ?

Brink · Sep 10, 2025

Sayur Lapis said:
Sorry Brink, I hope that you are not mad if I ask many questions
What do you mean by "no guarantee a installed update may reset it back to defaults" ?
Is it like the case with a guy where after applying this in registry, the paused interval can only be at 7 days maximum despite he's not in insider channel ?
Like it's glitching or something ?

Sorry, no.

I meant a future installed Windows update has been known to sometimes undo a change like this one.

Sayur Lapis · Sep 10, 2025

Brink said:
Sorry, no.

I meant a future installed Windows update has been known to sometimes undo a change like this one.

ahh, I see, so it's still possible that Windows Update can resume on its own despite already applying this registry edit
Has there been a case before ?
Here, I thought this can be a permanent workaround :crys:

Brink · Sep 10, 2025

Sayur Lapis said:
ahh, I see, so it's still possible that Windows Update can resume on its own despite already applying this registry edit
Has there been a case before ?
Here, I thought this can be a permanent workaround

Nope. Not resume on its own, but could happen after you manually resume and install an update.

Sayur Lapis · Sep 10, 2025

Brink said:
Nope. Not resume on its own, but could happen after you manually resume and install an update.

Ahh, if that's the case, just reapply the number of days to registry again then ?
By the way, the flightsettingsmaxpauseupdate value is not available by default in non insider version windows, but is it available by default for insider version ?

ian50 · Sep 10, 2025

As advised by Brink in an earlier tutorial:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings]
"FlightSettingsMaxPauseDays"=dword:00001c84

Did it for me. No more updates until 1/09/2045. Yes, IF I allow an update to be installed, it may well delete that registry line. Then I'll just re-run that reg file and see if it works again. If not, I'll revert to a stored Macrium backup of the OS version I prefer.

As it stands, the destruction of small home networks with the nasty imposition of "credentials" for each machine on the network, necessitating a fresh OS install and rebuilding of each machine, raises the obvious risk of an unattended update overwriting a network installation that still works off the simple parameters available since win2k days (over 25 years now).

Consequently, I'll forgo CoPilot development with huge tears in my eyes ... In fact, I've not found anything useful in updates for over 2 - 3 years now in any case. Sure, unscrupulous pirates may bombard me, although keeping a running store of incremental backup images helps reduce that risk. At this time, the biggest threats I perceive to my network are MS' own updates.

Brink · Sep 11, 2025

Sayur Lapis said:
Ahh, if that's the case, just reapply the number of days to registry again then ?
By the way, the flightsettingsmaxpauseupdate value is not available by default in non insider version windows, but is it available by default for insider version ?

Correct, you'll just have to run the REG again to add the max pause again if it should get removed.

The flightsettingsmaxpauseupdate value only gets added if updates were paused or you merged the REG file.

mfessler · Nov 13, 2025

Brink said:

Hello, and welcome.

The REG file download below will pause updates until 10/31/2033 for you.

Download

Contents of REG file:

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UpdatePolicy\Settings]
"PausedFeatureStatus"=dword:00000000
"PausedQualityStatus"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings]
"FlightSettingsMaxPauseDays"=dword:00000e42
"PauseFeatureUpdatesStartTime"="2023-11-06T14:03:37Z"
"PauseFeatureUpdatesEndTime"="2033-10-31T14:03:37Z"
"PauseQualityUpdatesStartTime"="2023-11-06T14:03:37Z"
"PauseQualityUpdatesEndTime"="2033-10-31T14:03:37Z"
"PauseUpdatesStartTime"="2023-11-06T14:03:37Z"
"PauseUpdatesExpiryTime"="2033-10-31T14:03:37Z"

Hey Brink,

Shouldn't "PausedFeatureStatus" and "PausedQualityStatus" be set to 1?
Source: Configure Windows Update client policies

Although I noticed during testing that, strangely, it keeps switching nicely between 0 and 1 - until suddenly it stays at 0. Weird.

The six "Pause..." registry values don’t actually need to be set manually, since they are automatically created when the pause starts - right?
Interestingly, “PauseUpdatesStartTime” is always missing for me - normal?

Thank you and greetings, Martin

Brink · Nov 13, 2025

mfessler said:
Hey Brink,

Shouldn't "PausedFeatureStatus" and "PausedQualityStatus" be set to 1?
Source: Configure Windows Update client policies

Although I noticed during testing that, strangely, it keeps switching nicely between 0 and 1 - until suddenly it stays at 0. Weird.

The six "Pause..." registry values don’t actually need to be set manually, since they are automatically created when the pause starts - right?
Interestingly, “PauseUpdatesStartTime” is always missing for me - normal?

Thank you and greetings, Martin

Hello,

That was something specific for that member, You can use option two below instead.

Disable Automatic Windows Updates in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to disable Windows Update from automatically downloading and installing updates in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows Update keeps Windows 11 updated by automatically downloading and installing the latest updates, drivers, and hotfixes when released by Microsoft...

www.elevenforum.com

ian50 · Nov 13, 2025

Brink shows how to pause updates for up to 20 years here:

Disable Automatic Windows Updates in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to disable Windows Update from automatically downloading and installing updates in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows Update keeps Windows 11 updated by automatically downloading and installing the latest updates, drivers, and hotfixes when released by Microsoft...

www.elevenforum.com

On my two Win 11 laptops, I've paused updates till 1/09/2045. I'm still able to download an update msu file and test it (provided I've done a backup image immediately before).

On my 3rd, Win Lite, laptop, updates are provided by the Win 11 Lite producers. Backup images immediately prior to update are again de rigeur.

hader · Apr 4, 2026

FactMan said:
Gremlins?

No. I suspect that MS makes no clear distinction between an Office Insider and a Windows Insider. If this is the case no wonder you don't remember to sign up to be a Windows Insider. Something like "you are in" or "you are out" principle. I find it strange also....

bidenkoanton · Jul 29, 2026

after July update with this gradual rollout feature:
"[Windows Update] New! A calendar experience in Windows Update Settings (Settings > Windows Update) lets you pause updates by choosing an end date, for up to 35 days. You can extend the pause by selecting a different end date and re‑pause updates as needed."
the FlightSettingsMaxPauseDays registry setting doesn't seem to work anymore, i.e. I can't pick a date longer than 35 days in UI.

Kees · Aug 30, 2026

Because of the new Windows method to postpone the date, I had a look in the registry.

That date is written here:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings
in the next entries:
PauseFeaturellpdatesEndTime REG.SZ (end date/time)
PauseFeatureUpdatesStartTime REG.SZ (start date/time)
PauseQualityUpdatesEndTime REG.SZ (end date/time)
PauseQualityUpdatesStartTime REG.SZ (start date/time)
PauseUpdatesExpiryTime REG.SZ (end date/time)
PauseUpdatesStartTitne REG.SZ (start date/time)

If today I would postpone updates to the maximum possible on the calendar and make a registry backup of that, it would look like this:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings]
"PauseFeatureUpdatesStartTime"="2026-08-30T07:53:43Z"
"PauseFeatureUpdatesEndTime"="2026-10-04T07:53:33Z"
"PauseQualityUpdatesStartTime"="2026-08-30T07:53:43Z"
"PauseQualityUpdatesEndTime"="2026-10-04T07:53:33Z"
"PauseUpdatesStartTime"="2026-08-30T07:53:43Z"
"PauseUpdatesExpiryTime"="2026-10-04T07:53:33Z"

Then, assisted by Google AI, I wrote a Powershell script to automatically postpone the date in the registry until 60 days from now.
That Powershell script I tested and functions alright.
I asked AI to make a description in English (as my native language is dutch) of how to make the Powershell script and a batch that is used to start that script as administrator.

How to create these files using a text editor (like Notepad):
Create the PowerShell Script:
- Open Notepad (or any text editor).
- Copy the PowerShell code block below and paste it into Notepad.
- Click File > Save As...
- Choose your desired folder.
- Change "Save as type" to All Files.
- Name the file exactly: "Pause_Windows_Update_60_Days.ps1 and click Save.

The code of the Powershell script:

Code:

# PowerShell script to pause Windows Update for 60 days from the current date
# This script must be run as Administrator

$Days = 60

# Calculate dates (Now and exactly 60 days in the future)
$Now = (Get-Date).ToUniversalTime().ToString("yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ssZ")
$Future = (Get-Date).AddDays($Days).ToUniversalTime().ToString("yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ssZ")

# Define the registry path (PowerShell HKLM format)
$Path = "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings"

# Write the values directly to the registry
Set-ItemProperty -Path $Path -Name "PauseFeatureUpdatesStartTime" -Value $Now
Set-ItemProperty -Path $Path -Name "PauseFeatureUpdatesEndTime" -Value $Future

Set-ItemProperty -Path $Path -Name "PauseQualityUpdatesStartTime" -Value $Now
Set-ItemProperty -Path $Path -Name "PauseQualityUpdatesEndTime" -Value $Future

Set-ItemProperty -Path $Path -Name "PauseUpdatesStartTime" -Value $Now
Set-ItemProperty -Path $Path -Name "PauseUpdatesExpiryTime" -Value $Future

$FutureLocalDate = (Get-Date).AddDays($Days).ToString("d")
Write-Host "Windows Update successfully paused for $Days days (until $FutureLocalDate)!" -ForegroundColor Green

Create the Batch File:
- Open a new, blank Notepad window.
- Copy the Batch code block below and paste it.
- Click File > Save As...
- Save it in the exact same folder where you saved the PowerShell script.
- Change "Save as type" to All Files.
- Name the file: "Pause_Windows_Update_60_Days_Run_As_Admin.bat" and click Save.

The code of the starting batch:

Code:

powershell -nop -Command ^
"if (-not ([Security.Principal.WindowsPrincipal][Security.Principal.WindowsIdentity]::GetCurrent()).IsInRole([Security.Principal.WindowsBuiltInRole]::Administrator)) { ^
    exit 1 ^
} ^
else { ^
    exit 0 ^
}"

if %errorLevel% == 0 (
    goto :runScript
) else (
    goto :getAdmin
)

:getAdmin
    echo Launching script with administrator privileges...
    powershell -Command "Start-Process -FilePath '%0' -ArgumentList 'am_admin' -Verb RunAs"
    exit /b

:runScript
    :: Run the PowerShell script in the same directory, bypassing execution policy
    cd /d "%~dp0"
    powershell -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "Pause_Windows_Update_60_Days.ps1"
   
    echo.
    echo Registry successfully updated!
    pause

How to run it:
- Simply double-click "Pause_Windows_Update_60_Days_Run_As_Admin.bat".
- A Windows UAC prompt will appear asking for Administrator permissions.
- Click Yes.
- The script will execute, update your registry keys, and show a confirmation message.

Before posting the text above, I tested the English script as I did before on the Dutch version. To do that I restored the backup of the registryfile as I described in the beginning and let the script do its work. All was fine, dates were rewritten to Oktober, 29. Whem after this I looked in the Windows settings, Windows Updates, it was indeed telling me that updates were interrupted until Oktober, 29, 2026.

So now I can still postpone updates for 60 days, so I will be sure not to do the updates right away on the second Tuesday of the month, which in my experience is a bit risky. If you would like to postpone updates a lot longer, you could change the number 60to any desired number in this line:
$Days = 60

That's it!

Edit: when rereading the whole thread, I noted that the registry-entry was mentioned before by Brink in this post.

Edit2: Implemeted the modifications as suggested by @garlin in #59

Banjoman301 · Aug 30, 2026

We've used Carifred's WAU Manager ever since Windows 10.

It handles all of the under the hood details.

No need to set any pause days...we update on our schedule.

garlin · Aug 30, 2026

Kees said:
Then, assisted by Google AI, I wrote a Powershell script to automatically postpone the date in the registry until 60 days from now.

Kees said:
$Future = (Get-Date).AddDays(60).ToUniversalTime().ToString("yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ssZ")

Write-Host "Windows Update successfully paused for 60 days (until $Future)!" -ForegroundColor Green

What AI has ignored, is while Windows is expecting an UTC time for the WU reg values, most people further away from Europe don't live in UTC.

If you're on the opposite side of the world, UTC is not close to your local time.
The "d" format is the short date format, for whatever country you have Windows configured for.

Code:

$FutureLocalDate = (Get-Date).AddDays(60).ToString("d")
Write-Host "Windows Update successfully paused for 60 days (until $FutureLocalDate)!" -ForegroundColor Green

Kees · Aug 30, 2026

I did something stupid edting my post, I'll give it another try:
This would become the complete script

# PowerShell script to pause Windows Update for 60 days from the current date
# This script must be run as Administrator

# Calculate dates (Now and exactly 60 days in the future)
$Now = (Get-Date).ToUniversalTime().ToString("yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ssZ")
$Future = (Get-Date).AddDays(60).ToUniversalTime().ToString("yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ssZ")

# Define the registry path (PowerShell HKLM format)
$Path = "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings"

# Write the values directly to the registry
Set-ItemProperty -Path $Path -Name "PauseFeatureUpdatesStartTime" -Value $Now
Set-ItemProperty -Path $Path -Name "PauseFeatureUpdatesEndTime" -Value $Future

Set-ItemProperty -Path $Path -Name "PauseQualityUpdatesStartTime" -Value $Now
Set-ItemProperty -Path $Path -Name "PauseQualityUpdatesEndTime" -Value $Future

Set-ItemProperty -Path $Path -Name "PauseUpdatesStartTime" -Value $Now
Set-ItemProperty -Path $Path -Name "PauseUpdatesExpiryTime" -Value $Future

$FutureLocalDate = (Get-Date).AddDays(60).ToString("d")
Write-Host "Windows Update successfully paused for 60 days (until $FutureLocalDate)!" -ForegroundColor Green

Is that correct?
If yes, I'll change it in my post #57

Windows Update Change Maximum Days to Pause Windows Update in Windows 11

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