Automatic updates are usually a convenience, making sure your apps and system remain patched with the latest features, bug fixes, and security improvements. But for many users, especially those wary of sudden changes, they can also be a frustration. Until recently, Microsoft gave you the ability to control automatic app updates in the Microsoft Store by switching them off entirely in the Settings menu. That option now appears to be gone. According to reports from German site Deskmodder, highlighted by PCMag, Microsoft has quietly removed the ability to completely disable automatic updates. Instead, the Store now only lets you delay updates for up to five weeks, after which they are pushed through Windows Update regardless of user preference.
The reasoning behind this move seems clear: security and stability. Outdated apps can become easy entry points for malware, exploits, and other threats, and Microsoft likely wants to reduce that risk by ensuring all Store apps remain current. At the same time, the change removes an important layer of user control. Developers have sometimes introduced unwanted design changes, removed key features, or even broken compatibility with older workflows—things that push certain users to stick with earlier versions. The new policy means that if an app update rolls out and changes something you depend on, you’ll only be able to hold off for a short period before being forced onto the latest build.
It’s also worth noting that while Microsoft’s approach may improve overall safety by tying app updates into Windows Update and Defender, no system is foolproof. App stores have been exploited in the past, and malicious actors have managed to sneak harmful software through official review processes. There’s also the issue of companies acquiring popular apps or browser extensions, only to fill them with invasive advertising or worse. With the removal of this toggle, the Microsoft Store experience moves one step further toward convenience and security at the expense of flexibility and user choice—something longtime Windows users are already sensitive about.
