Last Updated on May 6, 2026
As you probably know, Microsoft Windows will update your computer on a regular basis with updates such as security patches, device drivers, feature updates and so on. Back in the old days, we could turn off or disable Windows Update but now we can only pause updates for up to 5 weeks. Then after that, they will continue whether you like it or not.
Now, Microsoft is much stricter, and we can only officially pause updates for up to 5 weeks. Then after that 35-day period, they will automatically continue downloading and installing whether you like it or not.
Many people like to configure their computer a certain way and then do not want any unexpected updates applied that would make unwanted changes. Other people may worry that sudden Windows updates will break something critical on their computer, especially if going from a major release such as 24H2 to 25H2.
In this article, we will be showing you how to bypass Microsoft’s limits and pause Windows Updates for longer than 5 weeks, and up to 20 years.
Why Does Microsoft Limit the Pause to 5 Weeks?
Since the introduction of Windows 10, Microsoft has moved entirely to a “Windows as a Service” model. This means they prioritize keeping all computers on a similar update schedule to ensure critical security patches are universally applied. Limiting the pause feature to 35 days prevents casual users from permanently ignoring updates and becoming vulnerable to exploits.
However, for specialized machines like audio production rigs, computers running legacy enterprise software, or users with strict data caps, forced updates can cause massive disruptions. Modifying the registry as shown below bypasses this artificial cap, giving you total control over your system’s stability without breaking the underlying update engine.
As you can see in the image above, when you go to the Windows settings and then to Windows Update, you are normally restricted to pausing updates from 1 to 5 weeks.
Important: Create a Registry Backup First
Because this fix requires making direct changes to the Windows Registry (the core database of your operating system), it is highly recommended to create a quick backup before proceeding.
1. Open the Run Dialog Box
Before touching the registry, you need to open the Windows Run utility. You can do this quickly by pressing the Windows Key + R on your keyboard at the exact same time.
2. Launch the Registry Editor
Once the Run dialog box is open on your screen, type regedit into the text field. Hit Enter on your keyboard to safely launch the Registry Editor application.
3. Export Your Registry Hive
In the Registry Editor, click on File in the top menu and select Export. Choose “All” for the export range at the bottom, and save the file to your desktop as a backup. If you make a mistake later, you can simply double-click this backup file to restore your original settings.
Method 1: Using a Pre-Made Registry File
To extend the time that we are able to pause Windows updates, we will be performing a simple registry edit. You can either manually edit the registry yourself, or download the pre-made registry file here and then import it directly into your computer.
Here is exactly what is contained within the registry file from the download link, so you know it is safe:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings]
“FlightSettingsMaxPauseDays”=dword:00001c84
4. Download and Extract the File
To import the information from the file into your registry, you will first need to unzip the downloaded file. Once extracted, double-click on the block-updates.reg file to begin the automatic import process.
5. Accept the Security Warning
For the first window that pops up, it will ask you if you are sure you want to run this software. Simply click on the Run button to proceed to the next step.
6. Allow User Account Control (UAC)
You will then see a UAC (User Account Control) prompt appear on your screen, and you will need to click on the Yes button to continue. By the way, your account will need to be a local administrator on the computer, or you will need to know the username and password for an administrative account to get past this.
7. Confirm the Registry Warning
The next window is a standard system warning that simply asks you to confirm that you actually want to add the information from the registry file into the Windows registry. You can safely click the Yes button to continue.
8. Finish the Import Process
You will then receive a final confirmation dialog box telling you that the keys and values from the registry file have been successfully added to the Windows registry. You can then click the OK button to finish the process.
9. Verify Your New Pause Options
Now when you go back to the Windows settings and navigate to the Windows Update section, you will see a massive change in the dropdown menu. You can now pause Windows updates for up to 1042 weeks, which equals roughly 20 years. You can also choose a more reasonable number such as 10 or 15 weeks as well.
Method 2: How to Manually Create the Registry Key
If you prefer not to download the pre-made .reg file, you can easily create the required entry yourself. This is completely safe and only takes a minute to do manually.
1. Open the Registry Editor
Start by opening the Registry Editor on your computer. You can easily do this by typing regedit directly into your Windows taskbar search bar and clicking the top application result.
2. Navigate to the Update Settings Key
Next, use the left-hand folders to navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings. You can also copy this text and paste it directly into the address bar of the registry editor to jump right there.
3. Create a New DWORD Value
Once you are in the Settings folder, right-click on an empty space in the right-hand pane. Select New from the context menu, and then choose DWORD (32-bit) Value.
4. Name and Configure the Value
Name this new value exactly FlightSettingsMaxPauseDays so Windows recognizes it. Double-click the new value to open it, and be sure to change the “Base” option on the right side to Decimal.
5. Enter Your Desired Pause Time
In the “Value data” box, type the number of days you want to be able to successfully pause updates for. For example, entering 7300 will give you roughly 20 years of pausing power. Click OK to save your changes and restart your computer.
How to Revert the Changes
If you ever want to remove the ability to pause Windows Updates longer than 5 weeks, you will need to manually edit the registry to do this. To open the Windows Registry Editor, type regedit in the Windows taskbar search box and choose the Registry Editor option.
You will then need to navigate back to the exact same registry key we used earlier:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings
Then you will need to find the DWORD value called FlightSettingsMaxPauseDays in the right pane. Right-click on it and choose Delete from the context menu.
Once you do that and restart your computer, you will be right back to where you started. You will have the standard, default option of pausing Windows updates for up to 5 weeks.
Windows Update Pause FAQ
Does pausing updates stop Windows Defender?
No, it does not. Even if you pause major feature and cumulative updates for 20 years, Windows Security (Defender) operates on a separate schedule. It will still continue to download critical virus definitions in the background to keep you safe from malware.
Will this work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11?
Yes! The UX\Settings registry path and the FlightSettingsMaxPauseDays DWORD function exactly the same on both operating systems. This includes the latest 23H2 and 24H2 builds.
Can I still force an update if I want to?
Absolutely. Even with the pause active, you are still fully in control of your system. You can go into your Windows Update settings at any time and click the “Resume updates” or “Check for updates” button to override the pause and download the latest patches immediately.
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