We all know that Windows Update has a mind of its own, and Microsoft seems perfectly comfortable with that. The problems fall squarely on the user, who ends up suffering every time the operating system starts installing an unwanted upgrade. However, we can always use applications like the new InControl, which helps us control major updates on Windows 10 and Windows 11, and limit its scope to security updates.
Windows Update has achieved what seemed impossible: sowing absolute terror in the hearts of Windows users. Every time a notification pops up, the thought that the next hotfix will ruin the operating system consumes us completely. What has Microsoft done to calm those fears? Essentially... nothing. Redmond believes automatic updates improve Windows security, but under that same vision it distributes giant upgrades that are secondary and unnecessary. What can we do? Steve Gibson of Gibson Research proposes controlling major Windows updates with InControl, his new app.
An application to control major Windows updates
InControl is completely portable and has no special dependencies. All you have to do is double-click its executable, and then another click on the Take Control button to activate its function. The official site explains that InControl "freezes" the installed version of Windows 10 and 11 (reported with two fields in the bottom left of the interface), and will only offer security hotfixes compatible with that specific build..
If in the future you decide to install a major update, click Release Control, and change the version manually, for example, from 21H2 to 22H1 (or whatever code name Microsoft decides to use later). Once the modification is done, click Take Control again, and that will authorize Windows Update to download and install the upgrade. One of the most interesting aspects of InControl is that it can control major updates even if the installed build is no longer supported. Windows will present several warnings/complaints about the need for an update, but InControl won't let it advance.
To reset InControl's influence, its page explains that it's enough to click Release Control, clear both version fields, and click Take Control again. That will restore everything to its factory state. Once again, InControl has no dependencies, and the only thing it asks is to run with elevated privileges. Its predecessor Never10 had over three million downloads, so it's likely that many users will decide to get a copy of InControl.
Official site and download: Click here
