How to Delay, Defer, or Block the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update

Microsoft is officially rolling out the Fall Creators Update to the public starting October 17^th. Just like the last feature update, this one will be a “phased rollout” through Windows Update. Here’s how to hold off on updating, but still receive the important security patches for keeping your Windows 10 system secure and stable.

Defer, Delay, or Block Window 10 Fall Creators Update

First off, let’s look at how to defer the update for up to a full year which you can do if you are running Windows 10 Pro. This will provide you enough time to evaluate your situation as well as learn if there are any issues popping up from other users. This also will allow you to get the security patches installed automatically via Windows Update.

Head to Settings > Update & security and click the Advanced options link under the Update Settings category.

Then make sure the Current Branch is selected and then choose how many days you want the Fall Creators Update deferred. While you can set it to defer the update for up to 365 days, a month or two should be enough for most people. Just keep in mind that the number of days you choose isn’t set in stone. You can always go back and change it if you want to get the update earlier.

Delay Fall Creators Update

Another option you have is the ability to postpone the update to a later time. This allows you to change the scheduling of the installation to occur at a time and day that’s most convenient for you. Head to Settings > Update & security > Windows Update and under the Update Settings section choose Restart options.

Another thing you can change here is Active Hours to help prevent unexpected restarts after an update.

Block Fall Creators Update

The ability to defer the updates is probably ideal. But the Home version doesn’t have an option to defer feature update. However, the workaround is blocking it from installing by changing a few Metered Connection settings. A metered connection is designed to limit data usage for people with limited internet access.

For more in-depth information on using a metered connection read How to Limit Windows 10 Data Use Over a Metered Connection. And, if you are using Ethernet, read our article: How to Make a Wired Network Metered Connection. When you’re ready to install the update, go back and turn off the Metered Connection feature.

It’s worth noting that Microsoft rolls out these feature updates over time. No one knows the exact secret of how the plan works but when you get a new feature update is determined by your location and the device you’re running Windows 10 on. There aren’t any major differences between the Creators Update and the new one and it is important to make sure your system is as up-to-date as possible.

Still, there are good reasons to hold off the update for a while. It can help avoid problems with installed apps or system hardware. Unknown issues are inevitable and by not rushing in, you can wait while certain problems are ironed out first. Plus, by using the defer option you’ll still get important security patches.

Are you an enthusiast and ready to grab Fall Creators Update on day one or will you chill and hold it off for a few months? Leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts. And make sure to join up with our Windows 10 Forums for more tips, tricks and troubleshooting advice.