Configure the maximum number of days that updates can be paused: registry value MaxPauseDaysEnabled and 1 moreComputerHKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

Policy ID: MaxPauseDays
Scope: Computer Configuration
Supported on: At least Windows 11 Version 24H2
Source: Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
Category: Windows Components › Windows Update › Manage end user experience

Registry

MaxPauseDaysEnabled

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
"MaxPauseDaysEnabled"=dword:00000001
; Disabled
"MaxPauseDaysEnabled"=dword:00000000

CMD

:: Options (use only one)

:: Enabled
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v "MaxPauseDaysEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
:: Disabled
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v "MaxPauseDaysEnabled" /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 'MaxPauseDaysEnabled' -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force | Out-Null
# Disabled
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate' -Name 'MaxPauseDaysEnabled' -PropertyType DWord -Value 0 -Force | Out-Null

SetMaxPauseDays

REG_DWORDComputer

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

Enabled value: Depends on the option value
Element: Max pause days:
Value type: REG_DWORD
Required: true
Minimum value: 1
Maximum value: 35

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
"SetMaxPauseDays"=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 "SetMaxPauseDays" /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 'SetMaxPauseDays' -PropertyType DWord -Value '<enter value>' -Force | Out-Null