Using PowerShell to Hide Windows Updates Effectively

Managing updates in Windows 10 and subsequent versions has become significantly more complex compared to earlier iterations of the OS. Unlike before, there is no straightforward way to conceal unwanted updates within the system settings. However, one method you can utilize is the official troubleshooting application to temporarily hide any updates you prefer not to install.

Another effective method is employing PowerShell to hide updates in Windows. The instructions outlined below are applicable to both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

If you’re seeking assistance with Windows update issues, consider using SetupDiag.

How to Access PowerShell in Windows

In Windows 10, PowerShell can be easily found in the power user start menu, but it’s noticeably missing from its counterpart in Windows 11. Fortunately, you can still access it with these steps:

• Press Win + X and choose “Windows Terminal (Admin).”

• The Windows Terminal permits access to both PowerShell and the Command Prompt within a unified interface, with PowerShell set as the default. Alternatively, you can download PowerShell separately from Microsoft.

Chances are you might still be utilizing Windows 10, as less than 3% of devices have transitioned to Windows 11. If you fall into this category, follow the steps below to access PowerShell:

Earlier Windows 10 versions may not have PowerShell pre-installed, but if your version is current, it should be included. To ensure you have the latest version, navigate to Windows Update (Settings -> Update & Security -> Windows Update) for any necessary installations. If you seek guidance on troubleshooting, refer to our help guide for recent Windows 10 issues.

To open PowerShell, press Win + X or right-click the Start menu and select Windows PowerShell (Admin). This option allows you to run commands with administrative privileges, assuming your Windows 10 account possesses admin rights.

Remove Restrictions on Access

Your user account may have restricted access by default, preventing the execution of external scripts within PowerShell. To enable this capability, you must adjust the execution policy to Unrestricted by following these steps:

• Input the command below into PowerShell and press the Enter key.

• After executing the command, you’ll receive a prompt for confirmation. Press the A key followed by Enter. From now on, your user account will have unrestricted access.

• To check the current execution policy applied to your user account, use the below command. As shown in the screenshot, I currently have unrestricted access.

Now that the execution policy has been adjusted, you can freely utilize PowerShell as desired.

Installing the Windows Update Tool

Typically, Windows PowerShell does not come equipped with commands for managing Windows Updates. To gain access to these commands, you’ll need to install the PSWindowsUpdate module. This can be accomplished directly through PowerShell, provided you possess unrestricted admin access.

• Launch PowerShell and enter:

• Respond with “Y” to confirm the installation of NuGet, which is required to utilize PSWindowsUpdate. Please ensure you are connected to the Internet during this process.

• If a warning about an untrusted repository appears, type “Y” to proceed.

The installation is typically quick and should return you to the standard PowerShell prompt once completed.

Concealing Updates by Title

Prior to hiding any updates through PowerShell, you must first view a list of pending updates and identify the specific update you wish to conceal.

• Utilize the command below to retrieve a list of all available Windows updates.

• Locate the update you intend to hide and note its title; you will need this if there is no KB number available. Alternatively, you can utilize the KB number (explained in the following section). To hide the update, input the command below and hit Enter, making sure to replace UpdateName* with the actual title.

Using wildcards (*) before and after the title is permissible as long as part of the title is correct and unique. If you prefer not to employ wildcards, simply enter the full update title.

In PowerShell, you can easily highlight and copy text to avoid manual entry and reduce typographical errors.

• PowerShell will request confirmation for your action. Press the A key and hit Enter to confirm.

• The selected Windows update will be hidden. You can verify this by checking for the letter H under “Status,” indicating that it’s been successfully hidden.

Hiding Updates by KB Number

You can also hide a Windows update using its KB Article ID with the command below. Don’t forget to replace “KBNumber” with the corresponding ID of the update you wish to conceal.

Once again, PowerShell will request confirmation. Simply enter the letter A and press Enter.

Restoring Hidden Updates

If you wish to restore a previously hidden update, you’ll need to use a different command to display the update list, as the original Get-WUList command will not show hidden updates.

• Input the command below to reveal the update list:

• Press L to decline viewing details for all updates, or you may choose to see details about each one before obtaining the full list, including hidden updates.

• To unhide updates, use one of the following commands, making sure to replace “KBNumber” with the correct KB number or “UpdateTitle” with the update title. Remember to use only one of these commands at a time.

• You will be prompted for confirmation again; simply confirm the action and the update will be restored.

If you have multiple hidden updates and want to show them all at once, you can use the following command:

By pressing A, you can reveal all updates, including those previously hidden. This method is a fast way to restore all concealed updates rather than inputting each individual title or KB number.

To conclude, remember to revert your execution policy back to Restricted with the command below. Running PowerShell scripts under unrestricted access could expose your system to potential vulnerabilities.

To explore further options for managing Windows updates via PowerShell, you may enter the following:

This command provides a comprehensive list of all available commands to manage updates within this module.

Capabilities and Limitations of PowerShell for Updates

While the ability to hide updates using PowerShell is beneficial, there are essential considerations to keep in mind. It’s crucial to recognize that this process does not provide a means to stop all Windows updates from being released. The instructions detailed above allow for the selective hiding of individual updates rather than collectively stopping all updates.

Moreover, it is advisable to utilize PowerShell on a regular basis, potentially weekly, to monitor for any newly released updates, as you may easily overlook some.

Utilize PowerShell mainly for concealing specific updates that you do not wish to retain, or as a temporary hold on certain updates that have reported issues as a result of recent changes.

If you prefer to pause all updates instead of manually hiding each one in PowerShell, there are alternate methods. You might want to use the following path: “Settings -> Windows Update -> Pause Updates.”

To extend the timeframe for pausing updates beyond the five-week interval prescribed in Windows Update, you can also set your Internet connection to metered as Windows does not automatically download updates on such connections by default.

• Navigate to “Settings -> Network & Internet -> Wi-Fi” or “Settings -> Network & Internet -> Ethernet,” depending on how you’re connected.

• Select your network connection.
• Toggle the “Metered connection” setting to On.

You will receive notifications about new updates, but you must actively choose to download them, granting you additional time to review updates and determine which ones you might want to hide with PowerShell.

Common Questions

Are there alternate methods to prevent unwanted Windows updates?

Depending on your Windows version, there are various techniques to pause or completely stop updates. From tweaking registry settings to employing third-party software, explore these approaches to manage which updates are applied on your machine. Sometimes, it may be more prudent to wait and see if any issues arise from updates by other users before proceeding.

Is hiding updates a safe practice?

Hiding updates can generally be done safely, excluding critical security updates. For example, if certain new features do not appeal to you, such as changes to familiar applications like Paint, it’s okay to keep the previous version. While this won’t harm your system, always prioritize installing the latest security patches to ensure your computer remains protected.

What if I’m unable to modify my account to unrestricted?

If you are using the admin version of PowerShell or Terminal, yet your user account lacks admin rights, you won’t have the ability to set your access as unrestricted. In this case, the primary admin account must grant your account the necessary privileges.

Image credit: Unsplash

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