How to defer feature updates using Group Policy on Windows 10

In case you don’t want to upgrade to the latest version of Windows 10 read the copy of the below blog post.

FYI I believe this works only for Windows 10 Pro and above.

How to defer feature updates using Group Policy on Windows 10

Although Windows 10 Settings no longer include deferral option, you can still enable the feature using the Group Policy Editor.

Avatar for Mauro Huc

Mauro Huc @pureinfotech

June 30, 2020

Windows 10 defer feature update with Group Policy

Starting with the May 2020 Update (version 2004), Windows 10 is removing the option to defer feature updates up to one year from the Settings to avoid confusion.

The decision was made considering that feature updates are no longer automatic and only devices with a version of Windows 10 nearing the end of service will receive the update automatically.

However, the deferral option isn’t entirely gone, if you wish to use this option as an extra layer of assurance that the device won’t upgrade to a new version, it’s still possible to defer feature updates using Group Policy.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to defer feature updates using the Group Policy Editor on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education.

How to block new versions of Windows 10 using Group Policy

To use Group Policy to defer a Windows 10 feature update, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for gpedit.msc, and click the top result to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
  • Browse the following path:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Windows Update for Business

  1. Double-click the Select when Preview Builds and Feature Updates are received policy.

Group Policy Windows Update for business policies

Group Policy Windows Update for business policies

  1. Select the Enabled option.
  2. Under the “Options” section, use the drop-down menu, and select the Semi-Annual Channel option.
  3. Select the number of days (up to 365) to defer upgrades.

Windows 10 defer feature updates

Windows 10 defer feature updates

  1. Click the Apply button.
  2. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the system won’t download and install new feature updates, such as Windows 10 20H2 until the day you specified in the policy.