Select when Quality Updates are received: registry value DeferQualityUpdates and 2 moreComputerHKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

Policy ID: DeferQualityUpdates
Scope: Computer Configuration
Supported on: At least Windows Server 2016 or Windows 10
Source: Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
Category: Windows Components › Windows Update › Manage updates offered from Windows Update

Registry

DeferQualityUpdates

REG_DWORDComputer

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate Current key

Enabled value: 1
Disabled value: 0

Apply with .reg · CMD · PowerShell

.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]

; Options (use only one)
; Enabled
"DeferQualityUpdates"=dword:00000001
; Disabled
"DeferQualityUpdates"=dword:00000000

CMD

:: Options (use only one)

:: Enabled
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v "DeferQualityUpdates" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
:: Disabled
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v "DeferQualityUpdates" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

PowerShell

# Common: create the key
New-Item -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate' -Force | Out-Null

# Options (use only one)
# Enabled
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate' -Name 'DeferQualityUpdates' -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force | Out-Null
# Disabled
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate' -Name 'DeferQualityUpdates' -PropertyType DWord -Value 0 -Force | Out-Null

DeferQualityUpdatesPeriodInDays

REG_DWORDComputer

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate Current key

Enabled value: Depends on the option value
Element: After a quality update is released, defer receiving it for this many days:
Value type: REG_DWORD
Minimum value: 0
Maximum value: 30

Apply with .reg · CMD · PowerShell

.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]

; Value names and types follow the ADMX. Replace <enter value> below with your own data
"DeferQualityUpdatesPeriodInDays"=dword:<enter value>

CMD

:: Value names and types follow the ADMX. Replace <enter value> below with your own data

reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v "DeferQualityUpdatesPeriodInDays" /t REG_DWORD /d "<enter value>" /f

PowerShell

# Value names and types follow the ADMX. Replace <enter value> below with your own data

New-Item -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate' -Force | Out-Null
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate' -Name 'DeferQualityUpdatesPeriodInDays' -PropertyType DWord -Value '<enter value>' -Force | Out-Null

PauseQualityUpdatesStartTime

REG_SZComputer

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate Current key

Enabled value: Depends on the option value
Element: Pause Quality Updates starting
Value type: REG_SZ
Maximum length: 10

Apply with .reg · CMD · PowerShell

.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]

; Value names and types follow the ADMX. Replace <enter value> below with your own data
"PauseQualityUpdatesStartTime"="<enter value>"

CMD

:: Value names and types follow the ADMX. Replace <enter value> below with your own data

reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v "PauseQualityUpdatesStartTime" /t REG_SZ /d "<enter value>" /f

PowerShell

# Value names and types follow the ADMX. Replace <enter value> below with your own data

New-Item -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate' -Force | Out-Null
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate' -Name 'PauseQualityUpdatesStartTime' -PropertyType String -Value '<enter value>' -Force | Out-Null