Windows 10 Will Include Tool to Block Updates

Much fuss has been made, rightly, about Microsoft’s decision to include mandatory automatic updates in its forthcoming operating system, Windows 10. There is no way to edit, control, or block Windows Update in Windows 10 Home, and Windows 10 Professional only features limited control over software and driver updates.

Windows 10 testers have even been complaining about the imposition, with some users reporting problems with broken NVIDIA drivers being forced on to their systems:

@GabeAul can you do me a favor? Tell the WU team to stop forcing @nvidia 's broken drivers down our throats, 353.54 is HORRIBLE.

— Chris123NT (@Chris123NT) July 24, 2015

It seems that Gabe Aul, Head of the Windows Insider Program (and tagged in the above tweet), has been listening. When Windows 10 launches in a matter of days on 29th July, it will include KB3073930, a hidden troubleshooter package that will allow users of the new OS to opt out of selected software and driver updates.

KB3073930 was digitally signed on 15th June so, despite ideas to the contrary, allowing users the option to block or hide updates was something that has been on Microsoft’s radar for at least 8 weeks, and it should be ready to use at the time of the official Windows 10 launch.

While forcing updates for Windows 10 makes sense for most people, protecting their systems without relying on them to stay on top of system updates and patches, giving more advanced users the option to control what gets added to their copy of Windows 10 and when is a welcome addition.

Thank you ZDNet for providing us with this information.

Image courtesy of Windows Blog.