Rumors swirling everywhere in the blogosphere have Microsoft re-releasing the ill-fated Win10 version 1809 on Patch Tuesday this month. Personally, inside the dearth of worthwhile features in 1809 as well painful first release recently, I'd rather that they'll just wait in 7 days or a month or six, until it's fully baked, but that probably won't happen.

Even better, I wish they'd wait 12 months or two, roll in a number of new features deserving of a full reinstall, and after that unleash new things and worthwhile. If wishes were horses ...

When we wait for Pennywise the September October November 2018 Update clown to buy again, now's a great time to take care your machine won't set it up - or any other poorly tested patches - up until cannon fodder has weighed in.

Say you decided to leave Automatic Updates turned on in the aftermath of the things we've seen in your past month, I salute you. Somebody will need to walk around using a "Kick Me" sign stuck their very own back.

The methods for blocking Windows Update are pretty straightforward.

If you're using Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, click Start > Cp > System and Security. Under Windows Update, press the "Turn automatic updating on or off" link. Choose the "Change Settings" link for the left. Verify you may have Important Updates set to "Never look for updates (not recommended)" and click OK.

If you're using Windows 10 Pro version 1703, the jig comes to an end - Microsoft stops supplying security updates effective this Patch Tuesday. I've been testing techniques to upgrade to 1709 or 1803 with minimal hassle, and ought to have a report for yourself shortly.

New way of Windows 10 Pro

If you're using Win10 Pro version 1709, 1803, or 1809 (yes, some folks got pushed onto 1809 throughout four days Microsoft allow it to out of the Ninth Circle), I have some new advice. Ultimately ends up, this is the same technique Microsoft recommends for "Broad Release" rolling around in its obscure Build deployment rings for Windows 10 updates - which could be intended for admins, but applies to you, too. (Thx, @zero2dash)

After watching Microsoft stumble over Win10 updates and upgrades for more that three years, doing this seems to hit the sweet spot: It holds your machine in limbo until Microsoft contains a chance to yank or re-issue its worst mistakes, and (every bit as importantly) it will let you off the hook for clicking "Check for Updates."

You may also recall that clicking "Check for Updates" turns you straight into a "seeker," which is the Microsoft type of a mortal sinner: When you're a seeker, Microsoft feels these have permission to push anything and everything onto your machine.

Here's how to build your Win10 Pro machine among the direct range of fire:

Step 1. Utilizing an administrative account, click Start > Settings > Update & Security.

Step 2. Relating to the left, choose Windows Update. At the right, check the page for Advanced options.

Step 3. To download yourself out of beta testing (or, as Microsoft would say, to delay new versions until they're ready for broad deployment), contained in the first box, choose Semi-Annual Channel.

4. To further delay new versions until they've been minimally tested, set the "feature update" deferral setting to 4 months or more. That tells the Windows Updater (unless Microsoft makes another "mistake," simply because has numerous times recently) that it should hold off until 120 days following a new version is asserted ready for broad deployment before upgrading and reinstalling Windows.

Step # 5. To delay cumulative updates, set the "quality update" deferral to 15 days or less. In my experience, Microsoft usually yanks bad Win10 cumulative updates in a very couple of weeks perhaps even. By setting this to Ten or fifteen or 20 days, Win10 will update itself after the major screams of pain have subsided and (with many luck) you can't cumulative updates seem to have been pulled or reissued.

The sixth step. Just "X" from your settings pane. You don't will need to explicitly save anything.

Step 7. Don't click Look at updates. Ever.

If there are any real howlers - months that cumulative updates were irretrievably bad, without got any benefit, as they were in July from this year - we'll let you know, loud and clear.
Tired old method of Windows 10 Home

Here's one thing about Windows 10 Home. Microsoft considers Home customers fair game. Annoyed when someone should think of it Win10 Guinea Pig edition. Microsoft lacks qualms whatsoever in pushing its new, untested (perhaps I ought to say "less-than-thoroughly-tested") updates and upgrades onto Windows 10 Home machines.

Gregg Keizer nailed it when he said:

One belonging to the foundational characteristics of Windows 10 is Microsoft's two-tier classification of clients. The lower tier includes individuals who operate Windows 10 Home, the top tier, all others. ?- Windows 10 Home users - predominantly consumers - have to accept every feature upgrade and aren't meant to delay putting in those upgrades, or perhaps monthly waves of security and non-security updates.

This isn't miscalculation or an oversight. Win10 Home customers by design are Microsoft's extended beta-plus testing force. Cannon fodder. It's unconscionable, and it's been in which since day 1. As Susan Bradley says, "Every form of Windows you must defer and pause updates. ?- Microsoft, your list deserve a great deal better this."

If upgrading to Win10 Pro isn't the - and I sympathize if you'd rather not hand over another $100 to Microsoft for something which should come standard - your main option is to create your internet link with "metered." Metered connections are an update-blocking kludge that is work to fight cumulative updates, speculate best I noticed still doesn't have Microsoft's official endorsement like a cumulative update prophylactic.

To make your Ethernet connection as metered: Click Start > Settings > Network & Internet. At the left, choose Ethernet. Relating to the right, mouse on your Ethernet connection. Then slowly move the slider for Metered link to On.

Recreate your Wi-Fi connection as metered: Click Start > Settings > Network & Internet. Over a left, choose Wi-Fi. At the right, press your Wi-Fi connection. Slowly move the slider for Metered link with On.

If you ever set your web connection to metered, it's best to watch closely simply because month unfolds, and judge when it's safe to allow for the demons in the door. At that point, turn "metered" off, and merely let your machine update itself. Don't click "Check for Updates."