To stop a Windows 11 update that’s downloading or installing in the background, open Settings > Windows Update and select Pause updates. Pausing cancels the update in progress, and you can pause for up to five weeks before updates resume. If the PC is already showing Working on updates during a restart, it’s safest to let it finish; turning it off at that stage can damage Windows.
Method 1: Pause the update in Settings
- Save your work.
- Press Windows + I and select Windows Update.
- Next to Pause updates, select Pause for 1 week, or open the drop-down to choose a longer period, up to 5 weeks.
Windows stops the download or installation that’s in progress. When the pause ends, Windows checks for updates again and installs what’s waiting. To resume sooner, select Resume updates.
Method 2: Stop the Windows Update service
If the Settings page is stuck or you need to stop a download right now:
- Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
- Find Windows Update, right-click it, and choose Stop.
Or open Terminal as an administrator and run net stop wuauserv. This stops the current download, but Windows starts the service again later, so follow up with Method 1 if you want updates to stay paused.
Method 3: Set your connection as metered
Windows doesn’t download most updates over a metered connection, which is handy on a mobile hotspot.
- Go to Settings > Network & internet and select Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
- Select your network’s properties and turn on Metered connection.
- In Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options, make sure Download updates over metered connections is off.
What to do if the update is already installing at restart
- Wait it out. Screens like “Working on updates” or “Don’t turn off your PC” can take a while, especially for large feature updates. Plug in laptops.
- If it seems frozen with no disk activity and no progress for several hours, hold the power button to shut down, then start the PC. Windows usually rolls the update back.
- If Windows won’t start afterward, use the recovery options to uninstall the latest update or run Startup Repair. See how to roll back a Windows 11 update.
Avoid surprise updates in the future
- Set Active hours in Windows Update > Advanced options so Windows doesn’t restart while you’re working.
- Turn on Notify me when a restart is required to finish updating.
- For longer control, see how to stop Windows 11 updates. Keep in mind that skipping updates for a long time leaves security holes unpatched.
Frequently asked questions
Is it bad to cancel a Windows update?
Pausing a download or background install is safe. Forcing the PC off during the restart phase is what risks problems.
Will the update come back?
Yes. Paused or cancelled updates are offered again when the pause ends or the service restarts.
How do I stop an update on Windows 10?
See how to stop a Windows 10 update.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.