3 Ways To Bypass Upgrade Blocks (Safeguard Holds) In Windows 10)

Microsoft’s upgrade blocks—also known as safeguard holds—are meant to prevent Windows 10 users from installing updates that might cause issues on specific hardware or configurations. Sounds helpful, right? Sometimes it is. But other times, it’s just plain annoying—especially when you know your system can handle the update.

If you’re stuck behind one of these blocks and want to push through anyway, here are three ways to bypass them:

1. Use the Windows 10 Update Assistant

The Update Assistant is Microsoft’s own tool to manually trigger a feature update—even when a safeguard hold is in place.

How to do it:

• Go to Microsoft’s official Windows 10 download page.
• Click “Update now” to download the Update Assistant.
• Run the tool and follow the prompts.

Why it works:
The Update Assistant ignores many safeguard holds and pushes the latest stable build onto your device.

Risk level: Moderate. You could run into the exact issue Microsoft was trying to prevent. Back up your files first.

2. Use the Media Creation Tool (Clean or In-Place Upgrade)

This method gives you more control. You can either do a clean install (wiping everything) or an in-place upgrade (keeping your files and apps).

Steps:

• Download the Media Creation Tool from the same Microsoft page.
• Run it and choose either:
  • “Upgrade this PC now” (for an in-place upgrade), or
  • “Create installation media” (for a clean install).
• Follow the instructions.

Why it works:
The tool installs the latest Windows version directly, skipping most compatibility checks.

Risk level: Varies. In-place upgrades are safer. Clean installs wipe everything, so backup is essential.

3. Disable Safeguard Holds via Group Policy or Registry (Advanced Users Only)

For those who know their way around the system, you can force Windows to skip safeguard checks.

Using Group Policy:

1. Open gpedit.msc.
2. Go to:
   Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Windows Update for Business
3. Enable “Disable safeguards for Feature Updates”.

Or via Registry:

1. Open regedit.
2. Navigate to:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
3. Add a new DWORD (32-bit) value:
   • Name: DisableWUfBSafeguards
   • Value: 1

Why it works:
This forces Windows Update to stop respecting safeguard blocks.

Risk level: High. You’re telling Windows to ignore warnings. Only use this if you’re confident your hardware won’t break.

Final Word

Safeguard holds are there for a reason—but that doesn’t mean they always make sense. If you’re technically confident and backed up, these three methods can help you take control of your own update path.

Just know what you’re getting into—and be ready to troubleshoot if things don’t go smoothly.