File stats for: InControl    Last Updated: Size: 96k Feb 27, 2024 at 21:39 (91.56 days ago) Downloads/day: 268 Total downloads: 394,249 Current Rank: 5 Historical Rank: 15

First it was “Never10”
It began before Windows 10. Microsoft decided that it knew what was best for each of its users. So every Windows user was forced to move to Windows 10, whether or not it was best for them. But no one thing is best for everyone. So back then Never10 was created to return power and control to where it should be: in the hands of individual Windows users.

Now it's “InControl”
For many years, Microsoft led the world to believe that Windows 10 would be the final version of Windows. That sounded good to people who just wanted to use Windows to get their work done. Then Microsoft decided that they would create “feature release” updates to give Windows an evolving set of features. Many people just wanted Microsoft to leave Windows alone and fix its bugs. But once again, Microsoft believed that it knew best. So these twice-a-year feature updates became mandatory (even when they caused some users serious problems).

Windows 11
When Microsoft announced Windows 11, they said they had never implied that Windows 10 would be the last version of Windows. Okay, whatever. But now history is beginning to repeat itself and many people are wishing that they could have some control over these often unwanted changes to their system.

InControl is a one-button utility which gives users control over
all non-security updates to their Windows 10 and 11 systems.

InControl controls Windows automatic updating/upgrading system by targeting it to a specific major version and feature update release. By default, the current release will be used. So if you “Take Control” with the major version and feature release shown in the boxes in the lower left, Windows will remain right where it is – only installing monthly security updates – until you “Release control”.

If you wish to move to a future release, say from Windows 10 21H1 to Windows 10 21H2, you can first “Release Control” to allow those two fields to be edited. Then change the “21H1” to “21H2” and press “Take Control”. Windows Update will now be targeted at the 21H2 feature release and will offer it for installation once it's available. And if you do nothing else, your system will remain there until you again deliberately release control.

Note that InControl will hold your Windows right where it is, even after the current version and feature release has gone out of support. You will see a complaint about the current version of Windows requiring an update. But your system will not be updated while you are InControl.

If you have been playing with InControl and want to restore its Version and Release fields to their natural (current) default values, delete those fields' contents while the system is not under control, then click “Take Control” and they will be set to the system's current version and feature release.

That's pretty much it. Like all of GRC's ultra lightweight freeware utilities, no setup or installation is required. Just run the utility with administrative rights. InControl's operation can be scripted from the command line, and full technical details about the Registry keys it changes is provided.

The Future
Windows has become a bit of a moving target because Microsoft has become quite inconsistent. Nobody really appears to be at the helm. Windows 10 started off using numbers for its feature releases. You may recall 1507, 1511, 1607, 1703, 1709, 1803, 1809, 1903, 1909 and 2004. Then they switched to 20H2, 21H1 and 21H2 numbers. And now they've said that they'll be changing from the traditional two-per-year feature updates to only annual. That is, of course, until they change their minds again. (What's next, the signs of the Zodiac? Are you on the Pisces release?) The point is, we expect this little utility to become popular – Never10 has been downloaded more than 3 million times – so we plan to keep it updated to address whatever curve balls and antics Microsoft might come up with next. So you might want to keep an eye on this page for any updates. When Windows 12 happens, we'll definitely be updating InControl to be aware of whatever they decide to do with it.