To turn away from the “go hard onto Linux” tropes, try Windows Update Blocker (WuB). I’ve been using it to pick when my machine, as well as friends and families machines, update. Every month or so, you need to turn updates back on by using it and updating the OS, but it can be scripted to enable/disable updates at any time, if you don’t feel like thinking about it. It not only blocks if but protects from reenabling updates by that fucking medic service that will try to turn it back on when the machine is idle.
Hey, I’m you and you’re me! I also just turned 40 in late September. Happy belated birthday, ya old fart!