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Maximize quality update duration (disables resuming updates from settings)

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
  • Impact: High

    System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: High

    This action improves privacy with high impact when you run the recommended script.

  • Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
  • Administrator rights requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

This script extends the time between mandatory quality updates, which include security patches 1 2. Delaying these updates helps prevent frequent system reboots and disruptions, aiding productivity in professional and critical settings.

Caution
  • This script postpones critical security updates, increasing potential security risks for your computer.
  • This script disables the option to resume updates through the settings interface. The update settings will display "Your organization paused some updates for this device", and you won't be able to resume them there.

Registry keys​

The script modifies various Group Policy (GPO), state, and Mobile Device Management (MDM) keys.

Group Policy (GPO) keys:

  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate!Pause: Defers updates and upgrades in earlier versions of Windows 10 (1511) 3.
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate!PauseQualityUpdates: Pauses quality updates for up to 35 days, or until the setting is reversed 3 4. This setting has been available since Windows 10 1607 3.
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate!PauseQualityUpdatesStartTime: Sets the start date for pausing quality updates 3 4. This setting is available since Windows 10 1703, and it activates PauseQualityUpdates key 3.
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate!DeferQualityUpdates: Defers quality updates for up to 30 days 3 4.
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate!DeferQualityUpdatesPeriodInDays: Specifies the deferral period for quality updates, up to 30 4 5 or 35 3 days. This setting has been available since Windows 10 1607 3 4, and it activates DeferQualityUpdates key 3.

State keys:

  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UpdatePolicy\Settings!PausedQualityStatus: Indicates if quality updates are currently paused, with 0 as not paused 3. By default, this key is set to 0, indicating no pause since Windows 10 22H2 and Windows 11 23H2.
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UpdatePolicy\Settings!PausedQualityDate: Indicates the date when the pause of quality updates was initiated 3. This key is used to disable auto-updates 6. By default, this key is not present on Windows 6.
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UpdatePolicy\PolicyState!DeferQualityUpdates: Indicates whether quality updates have been paused. This key is used to disable auto-updates 6. By default, this key is set to 0, indicating no pause 6.

Mobile Device Management (MDM) keys:

  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Update\Pause!value: MDM for Windows 10, version 1511 3.
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Update\PauseQualityUpdates!value: Manages pausing of quality updates for Windows 10 1607 and later 3. The default value is 0, indicating no pause since Windows 10 22H2 and Windows 11 23H2.
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Update\PauseQualityUpdatesStartTime!value: Sets the start time for pausing quality updates for Windows 10 1703 and later 3.
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Update\DeferQualityUpdatesPeriodInDays!value: Determines the deferral period for quality updates for Windows 10 1607 and later 3.
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Update\ConfigureDeadlineForQualityUpdates!value: Sets the deadline for automatic installation of quality updates for Windows 10 1903 and later, up to 30 days 4. By default, this key is set to 7 4, indicating seven days deadline before updates are enforced.
  1. Not Advised

    This script should only be used by advanced users.

    This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality.

    Consider creating a system restore point before doing any changes.

  2. Security Trade-off

    This action prioritizes privacy over certain security features. It's not recommended and should only be used by advanced users after understanding its implications.

    Increased Privacy

    Enhanced privacy through reduced data collection and tracking

    Decreased Security

    Some security features will be disabled or limited

    This script can be reversed, this action allows you to can restore the system security.

Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

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Help

How to apply or restore "Maximize quality update duration (disables resuming updates from settings)" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

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How to apply or restore "Maximize quality update duration (disables resuming updates from settings)" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the script name: Maximize quality update duration (disables resuming updates from settings)
    2. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Run commands​

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge
Apply changes
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate!Pause"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate'; $data = '1'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate' /v 'Pause' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate!PauseQualityUpdates"
:: This operation will not run on Windows versions earlier than Windows10-1607.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$versionName = 'Windows10-1607'; $buildNumber = switch ($versionName) { 'Windows11-FirstRelease' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows11-22H2' { '10.0.22621' }; 'Windows11-21H2' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows10-22H2' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-21H2' { '10.0.19044' }; 'Windows10-20H2' { '10.0.19042' }; 'Windows10-1909' { '10.0.18363' }; 'Windows10-1607' { '10.0.14393' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: No build for minimum Windows '$versionName'"^""; }; }; $minVersion = [System.Version]::Parse($buildNumber); $ver = [Environment]::OSVersion.Version; $verNoPatch = [System.Version]::new($ver.Major, $ver.Minor, $ver.Build); if ($verNoPatch -lt $minVersion) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: Windows ($verNoPatch) is below minimum $minVersion ($versionName)"^""; Exit 0; }; $registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate'; $data = '1'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate' /v 'PauseQualityUpdates' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate!PauseQualityUpdatesStartTime"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate'; $data = '(Get-Date).ToString('yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ssZ')'; $data = $((Get-Date).ToString('yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ssZ')); reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate' /v 'PauseQualityUpdatesStartTime' /t 'REG_SZ' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate!DeferQualityUpdates"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate'; $data = '1'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate' /v 'DeferQualityUpdates' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate!DeferQualityUpdatesPeriodInDays"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate'; $data = '30'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate' /v 'DeferQualityUpdatesPeriodInDays' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UpdatePolicy\Settings!PausedQualityStatus"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UpdatePolicy\Settings'; $data = '1'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UpdatePolicy\Settings' /v 'PausedQualityStatus' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UpdatePolicy\Settings!PausedQualityDate"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UpdatePolicy\Settings'; $data = '(Get-Date).ToString('yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ssZ')'; $data = $((Get-Date).ToString('yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ssZ')); reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UpdatePolicy\Settings' /v 'PausedQualityDate' /t 'REG_SZ' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UpdatePolicy\PolicyState!DeferQualityUpdates"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UpdatePolicy\PolicyState'; $data = '1'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UpdatePolicy\PolicyState' /v 'DeferQualityUpdates' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Update\Pause!value"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Update\Pause'; $data = '1'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Update\Pause' /v 'value' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Update\PauseQualityUpdates!value"
:: This operation will not run on Windows versions earlier than Windows10-1607.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$versionName = 'Windows10-1607'; $buildNumber = switch ($versionName) { 'Windows11-FirstRelease' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows11-22H2' { '10.0.22621' }; 'Windows11-21H2' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows10-22H2' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-21H2' { '10.0.19044' }; 'Windows10-20H2' { '10.0.19042' }; 'Windows10-1909' { '10.0.18363' }; 'Windows10-1607' { '10.0.14393' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: No build for minimum Windows '$versionName'"^""; }; }; $minVersion = [System.Version]::Parse($buildNumber); $ver = [Environment]::OSVersion.Version; $verNoPatch = [System.Version]::new($ver.Major, $ver.Minor, $ver.Build); if ($verNoPatch -lt $minVersion) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: Windows ($verNoPatch) is below minimum $minVersion ($versionName)"^""; Exit 0; }; $registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Update\PauseQualityUpdates'; $data = '1'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Update\PauseQualityUpdates' /v 'value' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Update\PauseQualityUpdatesStartTime!value"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Update\PauseQualityUpdatesStartTime'; $data = '(Get-Date).ToString('yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ssZ')'; $data = $((Get-Date).ToString('yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ssZ')); reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Update\PauseQualityUpdatesStartTime' /v 'value' /t 'REG_SZ' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Update\DeferQualityUpdatesPeriodInDays!value"
:: This operation will not run on Windows versions earlier than Windows10-1607.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$versionName = 'Windows10-1607'; $buildNumber = switch ($versionName) { 'Windows11-FirstRelease' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows11-22H2' { '10.0.22621' }; 'Windows11-21H2' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows10-22H2' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-21H2' { '10.0.19044' }; 'Windows10-20H2' { '10.0.19042' }; 'Windows10-1909' { '10.0.18363' }; 'Windows10-1607' { '10.0.14393' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: No build for minimum Windows '$versionName'"^""; }; }; $minVersion = [System.Version]::Parse($buildNumber); $ver = [Environment]::OSVersion.Version; $verNoPatch = [System.Version]::new($ver.Major, $ver.Minor, $ver.Build); if ($verNoPatch -lt $minVersion) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: Windows ($verNoPatch) is below minimum $minVersion ($versionName)"^""; Exit 0; }; $registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Update\DeferQualityUpdatesPeriodInDays'; $data = '30'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Update\DeferQualityUpdatesPeriodInDays' /v 'value' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Update\ConfigureDeadlineForQualityUpdates!value"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Update\ConfigureDeadlineForQualityUpdates'; $data = '30'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\Update\ConfigureDeadlineForQualityUpdates' /v 'value' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
Help

How to apply or restore "Maximize quality update duration (disables resuming updates from settings)" using commands​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Command Prompt
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 3 instructions
 View step-by-step guide with screenshots
  1. 1

    Open Command Prompt

    Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. 2

    Copy code

    Copy the code:
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  3. 3

    Paste & run

    Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.

    Some changes require a system restart to take effect

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Same Goal​

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Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.

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Maximize update duration on older Windows versions

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

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