KB5001716: Microsoft stops stealthily upgrading Windows 11/10 PCs automatically

Earlier this week, we reported on the KB5001716 update that Microsoft periodically and stealthily pushes on Windows 10 and 11 PCs. As always, we noted one of the features of this update was to try to force-upgrade systems to a newer feature update when the current Windows version on a PC is approaching end-of-life status.

We speculated that the upcoming Windows 10 end of support in October was why KB5001716 was released this time. Although Microsoft has published ESU details for 10 with the release of new guidance even for unsupported PCs, many like the PIRG still feel it is too little as the latter blames Microsoft for not doing enough to save "400 million PCs" from turning into e-waste.

Following our report, Microsoft revised the release notes for the KB5001716 update as it has now confirmed that it no longer tries and force automatic feature update installs on user PCs. The company added a new changelog section to its support article to add this new bit of information. As such, the release notes also remove all mentions of the force-upgrade route Microsoft used to take earlier.

Here is what the new changelog says:

July 2, 2025

Removed the following bullet point from the "Notes about this update" section:

• When this update is installed, Windows may attempt to download and install feature updates to your device if it is approaching or has reached the end of support for your currently installed Windows version. Feature updates offer new functionality and help keep your device secure.

Here are the updated release notes:

After this update is installed, Windows may periodically display a notification informing you of problems that may prevent Windows Update from keeping your device up-to-date and protected against current threats. For example, you may see a notification informing you that your device is currently running a version of Windows that has reached the end of its support lifecycle, or that your device does not meet the minimum hardware requirements for the currently installed version of Windows.

As such, while KB5001716 will no longer try downloading and installing feature updates quietly in the background, the notification banners or full-screen upgrade prompts will still be there, and reminders about unsupported hardware will be there too. You can find the support article here on Microsoft's website.

For those wondering where they can find the KB5001716 update on their system, if it is there, it should be visible under Apps & features inside the Settings app.