Story perspectives

Microsoft Gives Windows Users Full Control Over Updates

4/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

Microsoft announced that Windows users will gain control over updates, restarts and shutdowns after Aria Hanson, Microsoft’s corporate communications lead, noted complaints.
The policy lets users skip updates, pause them, and shut down or restart without installing updates.
Rollout starts with Windows Insiders on Canary and Dev channels before reaching Windows 11 devices, whose base exceeds one billion and will grow as the Windows 10 ESU deadline approaches in six months.

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Story summary

Microsoft announced that Windows users will gain control over updates, restarts and shutdowns after Aria Hanson, Microsoft’s corporate communications lead, noted complaints.
The policy lets users skip updates, pause them, and shut down or restart without installing updates.
Rollout starts with Windows Insiders on Canary and Dev channels before reaching Windows 11 devices, whose base exceeds one billion and will grow as the Windows 10 ESU deadline approaches in six months.