Maximize update pause duration

Overview

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

This script maximizes the pause duration for system updates via the settings interface. It postpones both feature and quality updates in Windows 10 and Windows 11. This is particularly useful for those preferring fewer interruptions from regular updates.

By default, the following registry keys are absent in Windows 10 and Windows 11 and are added only when updates are paused through the user interface 1:

• HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings!PauseFeatureUpdatesStartTime
• HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings!PauseFeatureUpdatesEndTime
• HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings!PauseQualityUpdatesStartTime
• HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings!PauseQualityUpdatesEndTime
• HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings!PauseUpdatesStartTime (set only in Windows 11 22H2 and later)
• HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings!PauseUpdatesExpiryTime

This method has been tested and verified on Windows 10 from version 22H2 and Windows 11 from version 23H2 onwards. To ensure functional integrity, all these keys must be added together.

While beneficial for Windows Home users 1, note that Group Policy Object (GPO) settings might override these changes.

Caution

This script postpones critical security updates, increasing potential security risks for your computer.

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users. This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality. Do not run it without having backups and system snapshots.

Implementation Details

• Language: batch

• Required Privileges: Administrator rights

• Compatibility: Windows only

• Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories

Maximize auto-update duration

This action belongs to Maximize auto-update duration category. This category includes scripts designed to extend the intervals between automatic updates. These scripts provide users with greater control over the timing of system updates. By adjusting the schedule of these updates, users can minimize interruptions and potential system instability associated... Read more on category page ▶

Disable automatic updates

This action belongs to Disable automatic updates category. Disabling automatic updates is often considered counterintuitive when it comes to securing your system. However, there are substantial arguments to consider this option if you're privacy-centric: 1. Patching and Pre-Approval: Manual control over update deployment allows for pre-emptive... Read more on category page ▶

Privacy over security

This action belongs to Privacy over security category. This category configures Windows using 254 scripts. These scripts are organized in 57 categories. The category includes 3 subcategories that include more scripts and categories. Read more on category page ▶

Apply now

Choose one of three ways to apply:

1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

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

privacy.sexy instructions

1. Open or download the desktop application
2. Search for the script name: Maximize update pause duration.
3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download

Irreversible Changes

This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.

1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

   Download script

2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Download revert script

This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.

Download restore script

Alternative 3. Copy

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.

HELP: Step-by-step guide

1. Click on Start menu

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

2. Type cmd

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

---

Windows 11

Windows 10

2. Copy the following code:

Code to apply changes

:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings!PauseFeatureUpdatesStartTime"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings'; $data = '(Get-Date).ToString('yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ssZ')'; $data = $((Get-Date).ToString('yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ssZ')); reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings' /v 'PauseFeatureUpdatesStartTime' /t 'REG_SZ' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings!PauseFeatureUpdatesEndTime"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings'; $data = '2963-01-17T00:00:00Z'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings' /v 'PauseFeatureUpdatesEndTime' /t 'REG_SZ' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings!PauseQualityUpdatesStartTime"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings'; $data = '(Get-Date).ToString('yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ssZ')'; $data = $((Get-Date).ToString('yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ssZ')); reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings' /v 'PauseQualityUpdatesStartTime' /t 'REG_SZ' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings!PauseQualityUpdatesEndTime"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings'; $data = '2963-01-17T00:00:00Z'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings' /v 'PauseQualityUpdatesEndTime' /t 'REG_SZ' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings!PauseUpdatesStartTime"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings'; $data = '(Get-Date).ToString('yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ssZ')'; $data = $((Get-Date).ToString('yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ssZ')); reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings' /v 'PauseUpdatesStartTime' /t 'REG_SZ' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings!PauseUpdatesExpiryTime"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings'; $data = '2963-01-17T00:00:00Z'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings' /v 'PauseUpdatesExpiryTime' /t 'REG_SZ' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"

3. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
4. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

Copy restore code

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code

:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings!PauseFeatureUpdatesStartTime"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings' /v 'PauseFeatureUpdatesStartTime' /f 2>$null"
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings!PauseFeatureUpdatesEndTime"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings' /v 'PauseFeatureUpdatesEndTime' /f 2>$null"
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings!PauseQualityUpdatesStartTime"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings' /v 'PauseQualityUpdatesStartTime' /f 2>$null"
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings!PauseQualityUpdatesEndTime"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings' /v 'PauseQualityUpdatesEndTime' /f 2>$null"
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings!PauseUpdatesStartTime"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings' /v 'PauseUpdatesStartTime' /f 2>$null"
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings!PauseUpdatesExpiryTime"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings' /v 'PauseUpdatesExpiryTime' /f 2>$null"

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