It\u2019s a good idea to update your computer. Updates keep you safe from ever-evolving malware and sometimes include cool new features. But updates can break things too.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why some users have been annoyed at Microsoft\u2019s stringent update policies with Windows 10, especially considering how frequently the OS is updated. After the last big Windows update caused many users to lose files<\/a>, Microsoft realized maybe it\u2019s not such a great idea to practically force users to install updates so quickly.<\/p>\n Aside from regular security updates and bug fixes, Microsoft releases two major Windows updates per year. It\u2019s a lot. With the next big one \u2013 simply called the May 2019 update \u2013 Microsoft is changing things up.<\/p>\n Most importantly, major updates will no longer be installed automatically as they become available. In Microsoft\u2019s own words:<\/p>\n We\u00a0will provide notification that an update is available and recommended based on our data, but it will be largely up to the user to initiate when the update occurs.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n That said, the company\u00a0will<\/em> automatically update your PC if your version of Windows is nearing its end of service, but it should at least give you a few months to wait out any initial hiccups and not worry about your computer performing a lengthy update when you simply wanted to do a quick reboot.<\/span><\/p>\n For smaller updates (again, for security and bug fixes), you\u2019ll be able to delay installation by one week at a time, for up to five weeks. Moreover, Microsoft won\u2019t simply start an update when you tap the \u201ccheck for update\u201d button. It\u2019ll actually, you know, ask.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n That said, while tech enthusiasts\u00a0might be aware of the big updates, for most people, these look the same as the small ones. Microsoft will now\u00a0distinguish between these two kinds in the Windows Update app, giving users a bit more control over what they want to install on their computer, and when. After all, the smaller ones might only take a couple of minutes to install, while the others can take more than half an hour.<\/p>\n Lastly, Microsoft will now use AI to make sure it\u2019s installing updates when you\u2019re not actually using your computer. Previously, users could set \u201cactive\u201d hours, but according to Microsoft, many just left it at the 8AM \u2013 5PM default.<\/p>\n As far as I\u2019m concerned, these are all changes for the better. I\u2019m an early adopter and tend to download updates right away, but I\u2019ve also been annoyed several times when I found my computer performed an update when I\u2019m in the middle of something important. Giving users more freedom, within reason, is the right move.<\/p>\n\n
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