I just got a decent size Windows update just now, after my Fall Creators update last week. Lets see if the ASIO and sound driver issues get better.....

Installed the W10 Creator Edition 1709 B16299.98 last night - abt 2 hrs.  Went smooth, SPLAT runs good and the only thing I've seen is the usual switching of audio playback device to an NVidia HD device.  
I must say that the method of monthly MS Updates have gone well over the past couple of years, compared to the awful method of loading/upgrading the OS (ie, 8 to 10).  I have noticed a couple of updates that tried to load and were not successful, but it kept trying and was later fixed by a follow-on update.  It caused no issues during that time.

Currently supporting 60+ computers for individuals and very small organizations.
Depending upon what these people do determines how i set the auto-update settings for their computers.
 
For at least half of the machines, the WINDOWS UPDATE service is stopped and disabled. 
This is the ONLY way to control w10 auto-updates. (Other concerns are all the telemetry crap.)
 
(The Store also has auto update settings for games and other worthless crap. It is disabled when the update service is disable. But if not, it will update gigabytes for the start menu,...)
 
For other client's, whom i seldom visit, updates are set to auto. And when an update is imminent i try to prepare everyone. Some clients do not want to pay for maintenance. The will pay for fixing.
 
Last week, I let one of my main work computers get updated. I have 5 TXT files that are loaded from shortcuts in the startup folder. The update not only deleted the shortcuts, it deleted ALL 5 files from the documents' folder. (Backups are my friend.)
 
The update also removed all EVENT logs before the time of the update. (Losing this history is beyond annoying.)
 
I know the EULA indicates that the MS gods will remove whatever they deem dangerous to their network,... But my TXT files were none of their concern.
 
(NONE of the computers i support are allowed to use MS logins. The EULA is clear: use an MS login and the computer, and everything on it, belongs to MS.)
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During the past two years, updates have: nuke USB ports, lose printer connections (12 times, including for me), video cards defuncting, audio drivers lost, ... And lots of settings changed, that have resulted in extra connection charges.
 
Now, a standard practice for me is to create a disk image before installing any big update. And then another after verifying all works, and full disk cleaning. I do not trust the roll-back function, since it is on the same disk, and gets updated by the update.
 
Because of the updates this past 6 months, I now am faced with at least 4 versions of the w10 interface, privacy settings (new and changed), STORE update ****, cortana crap, different task scheduled telemetry, and auto-maintenance,...  (Once had the defragger start during a late night recording session. Now such tasks are disabled.)
 
AND::: There is usually NO indication that an update is pending a restart. Just the computer gets less and less responsive. And some of these updates can take hours to install. 
 
I don't give a **** about MOST USED on the start menu. But I now have to endure that stupidity, otherwise the RUN box history is not retained. Stooooopid.
 
And replacing the CONTROL PANEL link on the right-click windows menu with SETTINGS: idiocy. 
 
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Last year when attempting to install a tascam interface, my main audio computer responded by not starting. And since the w10 recovery options are worthless, had to use an image.  So, now I have two computers configured for audio. Almost clones. I synchronize files after every session. I update one to test.
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It definitely doesn't "break" AD2.  You just have to remove the license from the "Old version" of Windows to the new version.  Takes all of 3 seconds.  

Midiboy
It definitely doesn't "break" AD2.  You just have to remove the license from the "Old version" of Windows to the new version.  Takes all of 3 seconds.  

I shouldn't even have to do that.
If it was working before the update...it should still be working after the update. I shouldn't have to re-install drivers, remove this, tweak that..,so yeah...It did break AD2.
It may have been an easy fix, but it should have never happened in the first place.

amiller
So, last week I stopped the Windows Update service and set it to disabled.  A few days later, some event or elapsed number of day...not sure which, the Windows Update service was re-enabled (not by me) and a MS update got applied.  I did NOT restart the service.  If appears that stopping and disabling the update service in NOT effective in totally stopping Windows Updates permanently.
 
Is there another method that is effective?

al, it doesn't say which version of win10 you are using in your specs - in win10 pro you can schedule/delay this kind of stuff, i've had the 1709 update sitting ready to install for days already

I have Windows 10 64 Home Edition.  I don't want to schedule/delay updates.  I want to totally disable them.
 
Thanks for the pointers...more please.

I don't have Creator's update and I use a Metered connection thru WiFi. I've had no major issues with Sonar but MS still manages to get thru and change things. I've repeatedly had to reset what apps open what files since Win10 insists on forcing EDGE to open EVERYthing. And it can't be removed or it would be.

mosspa
If you haven't turned off Windows automatic updates, and you are concerned about SONAR's continued functioning, you are an idiot!  Roll your DAW back to Windows 7 and live with it.

 
What advice would you have for 'idiots' with a W10 Home new build, no W7 to 'roll back' to, and no option for turning off updates?

Or what I said.  (option 2)!
 
Just beware that Windows 10 is a fickle, demanding, micromanaging lord of your computer if you choose to use it. You are no longer in control!

jamesg1213
 
 
What advice would you have for 'idiots' with a W10 Home new build, no W7 to 'roll back' to, and no option for turning off updates?

You can find legit OEM licenses of Win 8.1 or Win 10 pro on Ebay for as low as $10 on a good day.  Other days, they might be as high as $20.  You get a valid unused Product key, which is all you need (The OS'es themselves can be downloaded from Microsoft).
 
I've bought half a dozen Widows licenses this way over the past 3 years.  Just 2 months ago I grabbed a Win 8.1 Pro and Win 10 Pro for $20 total.  Again, perfectly legit.  Just keep in mind they are OEM, so once you activate on a system, it's tied to that machine.

That creator's update wrecked my IIS (Internet Information Services) but I managed to find a fix online. Microsoft is definitely not the company they used to be.