Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Windows 10 Pro Update on Laptop necessary?

Jun 19, 2019 12:47PM PDT

I have a Windows 10 Home laptop. I want to plug it in when I take it to various places and am wondering about updates. I am concerned that when I plug it in somewhere that it will want to update the laptop when I turn it off. Currently, when my laptop does updates, it only allows me to turn it off and apply updates, not turn it off without updating.

Can I just unplug the socket from the wall and leave my laptop powered on until I return home and then shut down the computer to let it do updates? Or, do I need Windows 10 Pro to schedule the updates for a later time? I am concerned that if something goes wrong with the update that I will not be able to restore it to the state when I bought it.

edit.

I just found out that I can use command prompt as an admin and "shutdown /p". Will this work in Windows 10 home? If so, I assume that it would only apply to that particular shutdown, and that when I restarted it would update as normal. (I don't want to try it until I'm sure I won't mess up my future updates.)

Thanks.

Rob

Post was last edited on June 19, 2019 12:56 PM PDT

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
There are a few ways to answer.
Jun 19, 2019 8:02PM PDT

The absolute right way: Do the shutdown normally and spend the time.

The workaround: No one can predict the outcome. But as all PC users know "We only lose what we don't backup" then if you can survive a total wipe out then sure, just hold the power button down and move forward. I've done that.

- Collapse -
Answer
The Latest Windows 10 May 2019 Update/Upgrade Allows....
Jun 20, 2019 11:15AM PDT

...users of both Windows 10 Home and Pro to "suspend" updates for up to a month. Default "suspend time" is 7 days. If you're only going to another location for a short duration, you could easily suspend updates till you get home..

But that means you need to check your current computer against the various known issues of the new May 2019 update and see if it's compatible with the latest May 2019 upgrade.. Eventually, Microsoft will release it to all Windows 10 computers but they're taking their time doing so. I've currently installed it on a few computers here using the Windows 10 Medial Creation Tool and they're all working fine, but I've done this a lot. It may, or may not be something you want to do.

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
Latest windows update
Jun 20, 2019 11:49AM PDT

I have updated 2 desktop and 1 laptop using windows update.
All 3 have been sucessfull No glitches.
Each one took a couple hours. If your laptop is on battery this could cause a shut down that could do damage to your computer and win 10. Think closely before leaving it on batery and unattended.

- Collapse -
I Missed That.. Such Updates Require Power
Jun 20, 2019 5:26PM PDT

If the computer is powered ON, whether plugged in or not, it will still update. Interruption of that update can be a calamity. If the user doesn't want updates, to occur, then the computer needs to be powered down immediately and the "shutdown /p" command should do that correctly. If you're not sure, test the command at home.

Hope this helps.

Grif

Post was last edited on June 20, 2019 5:27 PM PDT