Microsoft is ending the Windows Update nightmare — and letting you pause them indefinitely
Even though Microsoft isn’t doing away with automatic updates altogether, Windows boss Pavan Davuluri promises that in the future you’ll be able to pause them “for as long as you need.” You will be able to restart or shut down your computer “without having to install them”. To be fair to Microsoft, I’ve seen an option to restart or shut down without updating for a while now.
Even if you can’t pause them, you’ll only need to restart your computer once a month, Microsoft promises – although it says you’ll be able to get updates faster if you want. If you’re the type of user who wants new features so quickly that you’re part of the Windows Insider program, Microsoft says this will make it easier and clearer what you’ll get.
And as part of these updates, Microsoft claims that this year it will improve performance, responsiveness and stability, reduce memory consumption, make File Explorer and other applications launch and run faster, reduce crashes, improve drivers, make devices more reliable and much more.
It appears Microsoft has also taken our feedback about the recent ridiculous hour-plus setup process for some Windows handhelds and laptops to heart. Davuluri writes that we will have “the ability to skip updates when setting up the device to access the desktop faster.” And even if you follow the out-of-the-box updates, there should be “fewer pages and restarts, so getting started is easier.” Additionally, Microsoft will finally let you use gamepad controls to create your PIN during setup, instead of forcing you to smudge the touchscreen.
Well done Microsoft, if this is all true and you can implement it in a reasonable time frame.
Davuluri writes that his team spent months analyzing feedback from Windows users and “what emerged were the voices of people who care deeply about Windows and want it to be better.”
