The way Windows does large updates, is to download pieces of the large update for several months, in order to trickle the data over a long time, instead of downloading all at once. It still does the monthly updates, which are bug fixes and installs security updates, which would be not a good idea to stop.
I can't advise anybody preventing Windows 10 from updating.
Usually the biggest updates are in May and September, although the actual "May" or "Sept." update might take months later to install, since they work with major internet providers to download the data based on their usage.
For example, I have to use Verizon cell towers for my internet, so it takes months for my main computer to download the data, then months more for my 2nd computer in the house to download all the data. But for most people with wired internet, it will download and install data around the target months.
Microsoft does a pretty good job of trickling the data over time, because I've never noticed it being a drain on my data cap. But like I said, I think they work with the major internet providers to adjust that download rate so that it will effect the user's data cap as little as possible, for those using providers with data caps.
Of course, no matter what, a user can force Windows 10 to download and update immediately. Unless for some reason you absolutely need the newest cumulative update, I'd recommend just letting Windows 10 update by itself.