Computeractive

Stop & control Windows updates
using a tool made by none other
than Microsoft itself. Go to the
relevant Microsoft Support page
(www.snipca.com/18868), click the
blue ‘Download the “Show or hide
updates” troubleshooter package
now’ link towards the bottom of
the page, and then open the fi le,
which has the catchy name
‘wushowhide.diagcab’.
Th e program window opens
automatically. Click Next to scan for
installed updates, then click ‘Hide
updates’ and tick any you want to
“hide” from Windows Update.
Now for the bad news. Th is tool
was fi rst launched during the
Insider Preview testing phase, and while
it still exists and works, it’s not as
effective as it was. Now, if you hide an
item, it will be blocked from reinstalling
– but only until, in Microsoft’s words,
“a new driver or updated fi x is available”.
So you can hide unwanted updates – but
the next incremental update may force
them back on to your PC.
Take back driver control
In Windows 8/8.1 and more so in 7, you
have plenty of control over the drivers
you update – which drivers, where to
download them from and when to install
them. In fact in Windows 7 the default
setting was (and still is) ‘No, let me
choose what to do – Never install driver
software from Windows Update’.
Windows 10, by stark contrast, sets all
drivers to install automatically by default.
In Windows 7 you can choose which drivers to
install – and when – by default
You can ‘hide’ unwanted updates using Microsoft’s
troubleshooter tool
You can remove and hide them, but
like the Terminator they’ll be back.
Microsoft is now your boss.
Your only alternative to full automatic
driver updates is to switch them off
altogether, which we think is meanspirited
of Microsoft and potentially
hazardous. To do this, type installation in
the Start search box and click ‘Change
device installation settings’ (same goes for
Windows 7 and 8/8.1). In Windows 10,
you’re then asked: ‘Do you want to
automatically download manufacturers’
apps and custom icons?’. ‘Yes
(recommended)’ is selected by default; no
surprises there. Th e only other option is
‘No (your device might not work)’. Click
it, and then click Save Changes.
Th at’s it – all or nothing. If you change
your mind, repeat the steps above and
click ‘Yes (recommended)’ to restore
In Windows 10, you have no control by default
– your alternative is no driver updates at all
automatic driver downloads.
Th e screenshots at the bottom of
the page compare the default
download options in Windows 7
(left) and Windows 10 (right). We’ve
not changed any options, typifying
the differences between update
settings throughout Windows 7 and
Windows 10.
Tweak Windows Update
without disabling it
You can switch off Windows Update
in Windows 10, as suggested by our
angry friend in Reddit (see box page
57). Here’s how, if you really want
to. Open the Control Panel, type
services in the search box and then click
‘View local services’. In the box that
opens, scroll to Windows Update,
right-click it and click Properties. Th en
open the ‘Startup type’ dropdown box,
click Disabled and then OK.
Th at’s it – you won’t get any more
updates, and your PC will turn into a
playground for cybercriminals. At the risk
of repeating ourselves, we strongly advise
against doing this. Instant, automatic
security updates are a huge advantage
of Windows 10.
Instead, tweak Windows Update to give
you a little more control. In the ‘Startup
type’ dropdown box, select ‘Automatic
(Delayed start)’ to ensure your PC doesn’t
suddenly do a restart while you’re in the
middle of something.
Alternatively, open Settings, click
‘Update & Security’, ‘Advanced options’,
and then select ‘Notify to schedule
restart’ from the dropdown box. Next
time an update is due (major or
otherwise), you’ll get an alert offering you
to change to delay restart, so you’ve got
time to save your work.
You may notice an option to ‘Defer
upgrades’ in Settings – this is only
available to members of the Insider
Program. You can still join the free
Program (https://insider.windows.com)
to get beta updates in advance, to defer
your updates – and to get the chance to
tell Microsoft exactly what you think.
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9 – 22 December 2015