[Fix] How to Stop Automatic Forced Upgrade to Feature Updates in Windows 10

We know that Microsoft releases 2 feature updates for Windows 10 every year and these feature updates come with new features, bug fixes and enhancements. All Windows 10 users are advised to upgrade their computers to new feature updates regularly to keep their computers updated. Microsoft has released many feature updates for Windows 10 in past. Very soon a new feature update is coming to public. Currently its under testing phase and an Insider Preview build of this feature update can be downloaded and installed to test its features.

Sometimes some users may not want to upgrade to a new feature update due to obvious reasons. Their computer manufacturer might have not released the compatible drivers for new feature update or they don’t like some new features introduced in a new feature update, etc. There might be several other reasons that a Windows 10 user decides to skip upgrading to new feature update.

To prevent upgrade to new feature updates, Microsoft provides some options in Windows 10 which can be used to defer automatic upgrade to feature updates. These options can be found in Windows Update settings page.

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We have posted a detailed tutorial to prevent feature update installation in Windows 10 which can be found at following link:

How to Prevent or Skip Feature Update Installation in Windows 10

Now many users are reporting that even if they have used these options to defer/skip feature updates installation in their Windows 10 machines, their computers are automatically installing and upgrading to the new feature update.

The problem occurs when a computer contains older Windows 10 version such as version 1507, 1511, 1607 or 1703. These computers show a notification to the user as following:

Your device needs the latest security updates

Microsoft can’t install important security updates on your PC until you install the most current version of Windows 10.

Windows_10_Automatic_Upgrade_Feature_Updates.png

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After this notification, the computer automatically starts downloading and installing the latest feature update and the device is automatically upgraded to the new feature update.

This issue is actually occurring due to a recently released update KB4023814 (also KB4023057) which has been released to alert Windows 10 users, which are still using older Windows 10 versions, about the new feature updates.

According to Microsoft:

If you’re currently running Windows 10 Version 1507, Version 1511, Version 1607 or Version 1703, you can expect to receive a notification that states that your device has to have the latest security updates installed. Windows Update will then try to update your device. When you receive the update notification, click Update now to update your device.

This update is also offered directly to Windows Update Client for some devices that have not installed the most recent updates.

Windows 10 Version 1507 and Version 1511 are currently at “end of service”. This means that devices that are running these operating systems no longer receive the monthly security and quality updates that contain protection from the latest security threats. To continue receiving security and quality updates, Microsoft recommends that you update the system to the latest Windows version, Windows 10 Version 1709. Windows 10 version 1607 and version 1703 are not yet at “end of service”. However, they must be updated to the latest versions of Windows 10 to ensure protection from the latest security threats.

So you can see that Microsoft wants all Windows 10 users to upgrade their computers to the latest available feature update.

This Windows 10 update automatically installs Windows 10 Update Assistant tool which sits in the Taskbar notification area (system tray) and notifies user about the new feature update. According to Microsoft, the Windows 10 Update Assistant has been released to help keep all Windows 10 systems secure and to provide the latest features and improvements. This tool downloads and starts the installation of the latest version of Windows 10. The Windows 10 Update Assistant will be deployed to Windows 10 PCs that have not yet had the latest update installed.

That’s the reason behind automatically forced upgrade to the new feature update in Windows 10 machines. You can consider this tool similar to the old “Get Windows 10 (GWX)” tool.

Now if you don’t want to upgrade to new feature update in your Windows 10 machine, first uninstall the KB4023814 (and KB4023057, if present) update using Control Panel -> Programs and Features -> View Installed Updates page. You can also hide this update using official Windows Update troubleshooter tool as mentioned in METHOD 2 of following tutorial:

Fixing Windows 10 Automatic Updates Installation Problem

You can also block the Update Assistant from using Internet using your security suite or firewall program so that it can’t download feature update files from Microsoft servers which will prevent it from upgrading to the new feature update.

If you have not received any notification yet and don’t want to upgrade to the new feature update, download following ZIP file, extract it and run the “Disable Automatic Upgrade to Windows 10 Feature Update.REG” file:

The ZIP file also contains a restore REG file to restore default settings if you decide to upgrade to new feature updates in future.

That’s it. Now your Windows 10 device will not be automatically upgraded to new feature updates without your permission.

Also Check:

[Tip] Force Windows 10 to Stay on Existing / Installed Feature Update Version

How to Disable Update to the Latest Version of Windows 10 Message (Update Assistant)

Published in: Troubleshooting Guides, Windows 10

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. Thanks for this VG. Is there any way we can do this via GPedit on Pro versions? Is the Regedit method the only way?

  2. Hello sir, thanks for provide this useful information, but I have some questions and I want answer.
    1. Is this method guarantee works? I asked this because I want to permanently disable automatic forced update, so I searched in Google, and many sites suggested to disable automatic updates from Group Policy(not available in Home edition) and services.msc(Windows service), but your provided solution is bit different.
    2. How to disable automatic driver update in Windows 10 Home edition?
    3. Is this possible that an antivirus software can re-enable Windows automatic update?

  3. Does the regedit script still allow for security updates to happen? I’m essentially trying to emulate the “defer” feature indefinitely instead of for 365 days.

    Will this also remove the “update available” message in the serttings > updates windows?

    Thanks

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