Configure the maximum number of days that updates can be paused
Verified with Windows 11 25H2 — updated on September 15, 2026 Supported on: At least Windows 11 Version 24H2
Shipped in a Windows update: not in the official ADMX package (Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 Oct 2025 Update), present no later than KB5124008 (build 26200.9445).
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Update\Manage end user experience Registry
HKLM
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate - Value name:
-
MaxPauseDaysEnabledREG_DWORD - Enabled:
1- Disabled:
0
Description
This policy controls the maximum number of days that end users can pause updates. Supported values are 1-35. The default value is 35 (days). When the policy is configured, users can only pause updates up until the end of the time period specified by the policy. Once the configured limit is reached, users can no longer extend the pause. If the policy is disabled or not configured, the default pause behavior applies - enabling users to continuously pause updates for up to 35 days at a time. This policy does not disable the Pause updates entirely. To remove access to Pause updates, use the "Remove access to 'Pause updates' feature" policy.
Export Builder
BETAConfigure the state, scope and options, then generate .reg, PowerShell, Intune and SCCM outputs — or add the setting to a multi-setting collection.
These exports write the registry — this is not a managed GPO. ⓘ
.reg file
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Configure the maximum number of days that updates can be paused
; State: Enabled
; Supported on: At least Windows 11 Version 24H2
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
"MaxPauseDaysEnabled"=dword:00000001
"SetMaxPauseDays"=dword:00000023More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)
PowerShell
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Configure the maximum number of days that updates can be paused
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows 11 Version 24H2
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'MaxPauseDaysEnabled' -Value 1 -Type DWord
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'SetMaxPauseDays' -Value 35 -Type DWordIntune XML
No direct Policy CSP / OMA-URI mapping for this policy. Use the Intune Remediation tab, or ingest the ADMX in Intune.Intune Remediation
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Configure the maximum number of days that updates can be paused
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows 11 Version 24H2
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate' -Name 'MaxPauseDaysEnabled' -Expected 1 -Kind DWord)
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate' -Name 'SetMaxPauseDays' -Expected 35 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Configure the maximum number of days that updates can be paused
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows 11 Version 24H2
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'MaxPauseDaysEnabled' -Value 1 -Type DWord
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'SetMaxPauseDays' -Value 35 -Type DWordSCCM scripts
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Configure the maximum number of days that updates can be paused
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows 11 Version 24H2
# SCCM Configuration Item guidance:
# Create a Configuration Item of type "Setting: Script".
# Discovery script: use the Detection script below.
# Remediation script: use the Remediation script below.
# Compliance rule: the Discovery script output equals 'Compliant'.
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Configure the maximum number of days that updates can be paused
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows 11 Version 24H2
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate' -Name 'MaxPauseDaysEnabled' -Expected 1 -Kind DWord)
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate' -Name 'SetMaxPauseDays' -Expected 35 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Configure the maximum number of days that updates can be paused
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows 11 Version 24H2
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'MaxPauseDaysEnabled' -Value 1 -Type DWord
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'SetMaxPauseDays' -Value 35 -Type DWordBuilding a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.