For years, Microsoft Store users had the choice of whether or not to allow apps and games to update automatically, with the option to disable updates entirely if they preferred. That freedom has now been curtailed. According to Deskmodder, as reported by PCMag, Microsoft has quietly changed Store settings so that the most you can do is delay updates for up to five weeks. Once that period is up, Windows Update will install the latest versions automatically, regardless of your preference.
On one level, the shift makes sense. Automatic updates prevent outdated apps from introducing vulnerabilities into the system, ensuring that security patches and compatibility fixes reach everyone. Microsoft’s integration of Store updates with Windows Update and Defender should, in theory, create a stronger protective barrier against threats like malware-injected installers or hijacked update servers. But the reality isn’t so simple. Even official app store systems have been compromised before, and malicious code has slipped through their review processes. Worse still, legitimate apps sometimes change in ways users dislike—removing features, redesigning interfaces, or introducing ads. With the new Store policy, you no longer have the option to simply stick with a version that works for you.
For many users, that loss of control is significant. While system stability is important, updates can also break functionality that certain workflows depend on, especially in professional or niche applications. Some users deliberately hold onto old installers or archived versions of software to avoid being forced into changes they don’t want. With Microsoft limiting deferrals to just a few weeks, that workaround becomes harder to maintain. The trade-off between security and user freedom has always been tricky in the Windows ecosystem, and this latest move tips the balance firmly toward security—even if it means more frustration for power users who prefer to decide when and how their apps should change.