After years of criticism, Microsoft is reviewing its Windows update approach and expanding the options for managing them. The company introduced a number of innovations to eliminate one of the most annoying features of the system: forced updates. Recall that back in 2015, updates were made automatically to increase security and protect against malware.
The idea seemed logical, writes The Verge, but in practice, users often complained that computers would reboot on their own, interrupting work and leading to the loss of unsaved data. No less indignant were cases when updates introduced errors, and it was almost impossible to refuse to install them – except by postponing the process for a short time. Over time, dissatisfaction only grew.
Now Microsoft is changing the rules. The key innovation is the ability to pause updates for any period. In fact, the previous restrictions have been removed: the user decides when to install updates. This lets you avoid unexpected reboots and choose a convenient time to update the system yourself.
In addition, the company is making the process clearer and more transparent. Before installation, the system will show detailed information about upcoming changes: what exactly will be updated, how it may affect performance, and what to expect after completion. Thanks to this, users will be able to make conscious decisions and avoid random installations.
In general, the initiative was received positively. Many have long expected to regain control over their own device. At the same time, experts warn that excessive postponement of updates can lead to the emergence of vulnerabilities and increase security risks.