Top 30 free apps for Windows 10 – InfoWorld

Unless youre attached to a corporate network with a well-managed Update Server, Win10 will give you all of Microsofts patches, according to Microsofts schedule. You can usually keep the reboot limited to a time when you arent working, but the patches come whether you want em or not. Worse, if you uninstall a patch, every time you reboot or log on again, the same patch comes barreling at your machine. Its like Sisyphus 10.0.

As long as Microsofts patches, thats great. But the minute theres a problema faulty driver, a cumulative update that refuses to install, a conflict between the patch and one of your programsforced updating can cause mayhem.

Fortunately, Microsoft has a program that allows you to block and hide specific updates. Wushowhide, known by its cryptic Knowledge Base number KB 307930, scans to see which updates are pending and lets you hide individual updates.

To use it, head over to KB 307930, then download and stick wushowhide.diagcab on your machine. Next, follow these steps precisely:

1. Run wushowhide.diacab.

2. This parts important: Click the link marked Advanced. Uncheck the box marked "Apply repairs automatically." Click Next.

3. Wushowhide will run for a long time. When it comes back up for air, click the link to Hide Updates. You see a list like the one in the screenshot.

4. Check the update(s) you want to avoid, click Next, then Next again. The chosen patch(es) wont be installed, until you go back and uncheck it.

Depending on your version of Win10, you may have options to slow down updates. No matter what Win10 says, this tool will block an update dead in its tracksbut watch out. If Microsoft releases a new version of a patch, itll switch off the hidden checkmark, so you have to go back and hide it again.

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Top 30 free apps for Windows 10 - InfoWorld