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Updates of the Windows OS - setting

Windows 10

Download and installation of system updates, drivers and applications in Windows 10 (Home, Pro) operating system is directly managed by the Microsoft company. In some Windows 10 versions the user can postpone some updates, but this cannot be done with security updates that still install and cause computer restarts. This mandatory process of automated updating and restarting can cause serious problems to continuously running applications. This is the main reason why the Windows 10 (Home, Pro) operating system is not recommended for continuously (24/7) running systems.

For continuously running applications, other types of the Windows OS can be used that are more suited to better control over updates:

Windows Server

Windows Server is designed as a network, server operating system, and therefore is primarily intended for continuous operation of applications and services. In this operating system it is possible to control the behavior of automatic updates by means of system settings. This operating system can be commonly purchased, but the disadvantage may be a higher price compared to desktop Windows.


Windows Enterprise LTSC

The Windows 10 Enterprise operating system can be installed in the LTSC (Long Term Servicing Channel) version. This version of Windows does not include some applications (Edge, etc.). Updates for this version of the Windows OS (LTSC) are released every 2-3 years and contain only security patches (not new features and applications). However, their installation is not mandatory. It is therefore possible to operate this operating system in its original unupdated form for at least 10 years. This operating system is therefore suitable for continuous operation of applications. The downside is that the Enterprise version of Windows OS 11/10 can be obtained only through Microsoft Software Assurance (software licensing and enterprise upgrading model), or through business partners of the Microsoft company in the form of prepaid service (similarly to Office 365).

Disabling the update service in Windows 10 (Home, Pro)

Currently there is no way of switching off the updates in Windows by means of settings or control panel in Windows 10 operating system (as it was available in previous versions). However it is still possible to disable the update service in the Windows 10 system.

Caution: Disabling the Windows OS update service reduces the communication of the Windows OS with the Microsoft update server. Standard priority updates are then not downloaded and installed on a regular basis. Still any update marked by Microsoft as "Critical" will be downloaded, installed and computer restarted anyway.

In Control panel > Administrative tools > in Services window select Updates of the Windows OS. Click by the right mouse button on the process, go to "Properties" and then select "Disabled". This way it is possible to disable launching the Updates of the Windows OS service thereby avoiding installation of non-critical Windows OS updates to your computer.

If your Windows 10 operating system contains Group Policy, then it is possible to modify some settings by means of the Group Policy Editor. Launch gpedit.msc and go to:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Updates of the Windows OS.
On the right side click on "Configure automatic updates" and change its setting as needed.
PROMOTIC 9.0.27 SCADA system documentation MICROSYS, spol. s r.o.

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