How to hide or block Windows Updates or driver updates in Windows 10

With Windows 10, Microsoft is making it mandatory for users to update their PCs. While this sounds like a good thing, in some cases this policy is causing issues to users. For example, the latest Windows 10 update broke Nvidia driver leading to blue screens for users. In order to avoid such cases, Microsoft has now created a new tool to hide or block Windows Updates or driver updates in Windows 10. This new troubleshooter tool is part of KB3073930 update.

How to hide or block Windows Updates or driver updates in Windows 10:

When to use this tool?

In Windows 10, your device is always kept up to date with the latest features and fixes. Updates are installed automatically, with no need to select which updates are needed or not needed. In rare cases, a specific driver or update might temporarily cause issues with your device, and in this case you will need a way to prevent the problematic driver or update from reinstalling automatically the next time Windows Updates are installed.

Steps:

If a driver or update you are being offered is causing system crashes or instability and Windows was operating correctly prior to that update, you can follow these instructions to prevent the unwanted driver or update from being installed:

To uninstall the unwanted driver:

1. Launch the Device Manager with a right click on the lower left corner of the desktop and a left click on Device Manager.
2. Located the device driver with the problem driver installed, right click and choose Uninstall.
3. In the uninstall dialog, check the box to Delete the driver software for this device if available.

To uninstall an unwanted Windows Update:

1. Type “View Installed Updates” in the Search box and then click on View Installed Updates – Control Panel from the Search results.
2. To uninstall the unwanted update, select it from the list and then click Uninstall.

To prevent the driver or update from being reinstalled, a troubleshooter is available that provides a user interface for hiding and showing Windows Updates and drivers for Windows 10 Insider Preview. You can obtain and run the “Show or hide updates” troubleshooter by downloading it from the Microsoft Download Center.

The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:

Download the “Show or hide updates” troubleshooter package now.

Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.

When you click on the download link, you will be prompted to open or save wushowhide.diagcab.

Opening wushowhide.diagcab will launch the troubleshooter. Then click Next to proceed and follow the instructions provided by the troubleshooter to hide the problematic driver or update.

Source: Microsoft via: ZDNet