On Windows 10, cumulative updates download and install automatically to protect your computer from hackers and viruses and run smoothly with the latest performance improvements. The only caveat is that sometimes updates may contain bugs and compatibility issues that can negatively impact the experience.
Although updates are essential and disabling the feature is not recommended, you can use the “Show or hide updates” tool or the PowerShell “PSWindosUpdate” module to block specific updates and drivers from downloading automatically.
This guide will teach you two ways to show or hide cumulative updates on Windows 10.
Hide cumulative updates using troubleshooter
To hide Windows 10 updates, use these steps:
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Download the Show or hide updates troubleshooter.
Quick note: If the official link is broken, you can alternatively download the “.diagcab” file from a snapshot captured by the Internet Archive website. -
Double-click the wushowhide.diagcab file to launch the tool.
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Click the Next button.
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Click the Hide updates option.
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Select the cumulative updates or drivers to block on Windows 10.
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Click the Next button.
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Click the Close button.
Once you complete the steps, the cumulative update or driver will no longer be available through Windows Update. However, Windows Updates will try to download and install a newer update automatically when it comes out.
If you are trying to block an update installed on the computer, you must uninstall it before blocking it. The option to uninstall updates is available on Settings > Update & Security > Windows Updates > View update history > Uninstall updates.
Show cumulative updates using troubleshooter
To show previously blocked updates, use these steps:
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Download the Show or hide updates troubleshooter.
Quick note: If the official link doesn’t work, you can alternatively download the “.diagcab” file from a snapshot captured by the Internet Archive website. -
Double-click the wushowhide.diagcab file to launch the tool.
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Click the Next button.
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Click the “Show hidden updates” option.
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Select the cumulative updates or drivers to allow on Windows 10.
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Click the Next button.
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Click the Close button.
After completing the steps, the package will be available on Windows 10.
Hide cumulative updates using PowerShell
To hide an update on Windows 10 using PowerShell, use these steps:
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Open Start.
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Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
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Type the following command to install the PowerShell module to update Windows 10 and press Enter:
Install-Module PSWindowsUpdate
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Type “A” to accept and install the module and press Enter.
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Type the following command to check for Windows 10 updates with PowerShell and press Enter:
Get-WindowsUpdate
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Type the following command to select and block the update with PowerShell and press Enter:
Hide-WindowsUpdate -KBArticleID KBNUMBER
In the command, make sure to replace “KBNUMBER” with the update number you want to block. This example blocks the KB5003173 update:
Hide-WindowsUpdate -KBArticleID KB5003173
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Type “A” to accept and install the module and press Enter.
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(Optional) Type the following command to select and block update when the KB number is not available, and press Enter:
Hide-WindowsUpdate -Title "UPDATE-TITLE"
In the command, make sure to replace “UPDATE-TITLE” with the update number you want to skip. You only need part of the title to make a match. This example blocks the “2021-05 Cumulative Update” package:
Hide-WindowsUpdate -Title "2021-05 Cumulative Update"
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Type “A” to accept and install the module and press Enter.
Once you complete the steps, the PowerShell tool will block the update, preventing Windows 10 from downloading and installing it, and the status will appear with an “H” indicating that it is now hidden.
Show cumulative updates using PowerShell
To unhide an update with PowerShell commands, use these steps:
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Open Start.
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Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
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Type the following command to install the PowerShell module to update Windows 10 and press Enter (if applicable):
Install-Module PSWindowsUpdate
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Type A to accept and install the module and press Enter.
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Type the following command to check for Windows 10 updates with PowerShell and press Enter:
Get-WindowsUpdate
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Type the following command to select and allow the update with PowerShell and press Enter:
Show-WindowsUpdate -KBArticleID KBNUMBER
In the command, make sure to replace “KBNUMBER” with the update number you want to unhide. This example blocks the KB5003173 update:
Show-WindowsUpdate -KBArticleID KB5003173
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Type “A” to accept and install the module and press Enter.
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(Optional) Type the following command to select and allow the update with PowerShell when the KB number is not available, and press Enter:
Show-WindowsUpdate -Title "UPDATE-TITLE"
In the command, replace “UPDATE-TITLE” with the update number you want to allow through Windows Update. You only need part of the title to make a match. This example blocks the “2021-05 Cumulative Update” package:
Show-WindowsUpdate -Title "2021-05 Cumulative Update"
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Type “A” to accept and install the module and press Enter.
After you complete the steps, Windows Update will allow the package again on Windows 10.
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