Consider this:
1. Most people want regular Windows Updates to be installed. I don't prefer IMMEDIATELY installing them, so I use the setting under Start>Settings>Windows Update>Pause Updates and select 1 Week.
2. I don't care to see the Regular Updates notification ICON in my System Tray and daily Shut Down which completes installation for those requiring a Restart. Thus, the process does NOT interrupt me during my daily use.
3. The Notification that a New Feature Version is available to download is nothing more than a NAG tactic. I do not choose to install a new version at this time and don't want to be nagged until I do sometime 9-12 month from now. If you search the Internet for current issues AND expected performance you will notice that it is NOT a performance benefit for most users and problems we do NOT need. I am on 23H2 and have enough issues that still occur (none major).
Given these considerations I have implemented the following to meet them:
A. Start>Settings>Windows Update>Get the latest updates as soon as they are available>TOGGLE OFF. This partially addresses #1.
B. Start>Settings>Windows Update>Pause Updates>PAUSE FOR 1 WEEK. This addresses #1
C. Right-click on the taskbar. Select "Taskbar settings". Click on "Select which icons appear on the taskbar". Find "Windows Update" and toggle the switch to off. This addresses #2.
D. Download INTOUCH at https://www.grc.com/incontrol.htm . This is a simple .exe file (I believe an APP is not available to download instead now). When you execute it you will be give 2 choices: 1) to TAKE CONTROL, meaning that you want to restrict any feature installations above the one you specify on the resulting screen (Lower Left) from installing, OR, 2) Release Control to again allow a feature Windows Update to download and install. Select option to TAKE CONTROL and specify the version Level (e.g., 23H2) at lower left. This partially addresses #3
E. Apply the following REGEDIT zap:
1) Start>type Regedit>Select it and reply YES
2) Traverse to HKEY_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings
3) Backup Registry for that key if desired
4) On right side, right-click, Select "New", then DWORD 32-bit Value, Enter "TrayICON Visibility" without the quotes. It will default to what you want (0) to disable the feature ICON from appearing in System Tray. This addresses #3 (Of course, setting it to 1 will again enable/allow it to appear)
5)RESTART your system.
You will no longer be bugged by the Windows Update ICON. Regulare updates will occur without any intervention. When ready to advance to a new Feature Version, Run INCONTROL and select option 2 RELEASE CONTROL and let the download and install rip. Going to Start>Settings>Windows Update>Check for Updates will again show you the latest Feature Update available for download and install. When satisfied with install, you can run INCONTROL again to set this version in Lower Left.
