Microsoft Store Now Limits App Update Pauses To 5 Weeks On Windows 11 And 10

Microsoft has quietly rolled out a change to the Microsoft Store that limits how long users can pause automatic app updates on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Over the past few months, users have noticed that the Store’s old “turn off automatic app updates” option no longer behaves as it used to. Instead of completely disabling automatic updates, the toggle now allows you to pause them for a maximum of five weeks.

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Previously, disabling automatic updates in the Microsoft Store gave users full control over when to check for and install app updates. Now, when you try to toggle off this feature, you’re greeted with a dropdown menu that lets you delay updates for anywhere between one and five weeks. The Store even clarifies this new limitation with the message: "You may pause automatic updates for a period of time."

Interestingly, Microsoft hasn’t mentioned this policy shift in any of the Store’s recent changelogs, leaving users to discover the change on their own.

The move effectively aligns the Microsoft Store’s update behaviour with that of Windows Update, which also only allows temporary pauses. Even if users want to keep a specific app version indefinitely, they’ll eventually be pushed to the latest release once the pause period expires.

It’s worth noting that this change applies solely to apps downloaded from the Microsoft Store. Programs installed from outside sources will continue using their own independent update systems.

In fairness, the Microsoft Store itself has made significant improvements lately. As Windows Central’s editorial team noted, “I called it ‘actually great now’ in a recent editorial, and I stand by that claim.” With a stronger app catalogue and smoother updates, the Store has become a reliable hub for most Windows users.

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Still, not everyone will welcome this new restriction. For users who rely on specific app versions or prefer to avoid automatic changes, the inability to fully disable updates could be frustrating. On the other hand, Microsoft’s approach ensures better security by keeping apps current and patched against vulnerabilities.