Preventing Automatic Application Update in Windows 10
In this most modern technology based era, most of the Windows systems are connected to internet. It is the duty of Microsoft to protect those systems from external attacks. But that’s a difficult task at all. Most of those machines are normally deprived of the security updates, while some machines get updates of these after a long time and thus remains under the threat of attack of malware. By keeping all these in mind, Microsoft has made considerable alterations in their scheme of providing patches with the objective of preventing malware attacks.
Latest Updating Style of Microsoft
Windows 10
The whole scheme of Technical Preview was carried out in the new way of updating for Windows 10. It utilizes fast and slow rings, which regulates the occurrence of update which is entirely based on the ring to which the users belong to. Now Windows 10 made it clear that based on the update branches, each user is entitled to receive the updates, when they are released by the company. The most elasticity is enjoyed by the Enterprise edition users who belong to Long Term Servicing Branch (LTSB). But this facility is available to users with Volume Licensing Agreement (VLA) or Software Assurance (SA). This permits the users to have any update to be carried over for an indefinite period of time.There is a Professional, Enterprise and Education versions along with Current Branch for Business (CBB), in which the users are permitted to reschedule updates for a long period of time until they are forced to accept them on their machines. This in effect gives companies an opportunity to examine the security updates and other features before accepting them either through Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) or through other patch management systems like System Center Configuration Manager. This permits the respective enterprise to have an enhanced control over the released updates.Finally we have Windows 10 Home version on our list. They utilize Current Branch. This will allow its users to have only a mere control over updates. Another problem with Home version is that Microsoft has determined to adopt same methodology for all applications installed from the store. Here the user is allowed to check for update and start the installation process but are not allowed to select the type of updates to be installed. In effect by initiating the update check and installing them, you end up in installing all the updates available.
The Solution
Automatic Application Update in Windows 10
Till now there are no tweaks available with the help of which you can regulate updates in Windows 10 Home version. The only option available is to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro version. In Pro version, you have to click on Settings>> System>> About>> Change your Product Key or Upgrade your Edition of Windows or else you can opt for Settings>> Update & Security>> Activation; then you have to select Store. This will launch Store Page providing for the upgrade for which you have to pay a sum of US$100. The update is initiated via Store Update mechanism after going through the purchase mechanism.It is being heard from Microsoft that they will be launching an update in coming September with the help of which Windows 10 Home version users are allowed to enjoy the benefit of restricting automatic updates. But it is just a rumour and users have to wait until September to confirm it. Except Windows 10 Home version, the other users are allowed to alter application update system by following the below steps. For that you have to select Store and then select on User Icon, which can be seen on the top of the display and then select the Settings. Here each user is allowed to Turn On or Off the option of Update Apps Automatically.
Previous Versions
Previous versions had an option included in group policy with the help of which we can alter the app update method for all the machines used in an enterprise. This provision has been removed from the release build as well as from the group policy administrative template files. For this Microsoft has launched a reference spreadsheet on July 30th.
To Sum Up…
Unfortunately Windows 10 Home users cannot turn off automatic app update. The only option available for them is to update to Pro version to have control over the update. But this might cost their pocket a sum of nearly US$100. Let us wait until September to check whether Microsoft is going to release any update for Home version users allowing them to have control over application update. Till then Home users have to suffer the problem with automatic application updates.
