How To Stop Windows Update

On Windows x, cumulative updates download and install automatically every bit presently as they get available. Although this approach allows laptops and desktop computers to receive security updates to patch vulnerabilities, improve performance, and bring enhancements without user interaction, it is a very controversial feature.

Usually, information technology's considering updates contain bugs that can negatively affect the experience in many ways. For example, they could suspension existing features, introduce commuter and application compatibility problems, or cause the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD), and they require a organization restart to complete the installation that can disrupt your workflow.

If you experience more bug than benefits during updates, or if you accept a good reason to use a device without updates, depending on your edition of Windows 10, you lot can disable automatic updates using the Settings app or permanently with the Group Policy and Registry.

In this Windows 10 guide, nosotros will walk you through the steps to prevent Windows Update from automatically downloading and installing updates on your estimator.

How to disable automatic updates using Settings
How to disable automated updates using Grouping Policy
How to disable automatic updates using Registry

How to disable automatic updates using Settings

If you have to prevent the system from downloading a specific update, you exercise not need to disable Windows Update permanently. Instead, y'all should merely pause Windows Update until the next Patch Tuesday arrives. The Settings app includes an option to stop updates for upwards to 35 days on Windows 10.

To disable automatic updates temporarily, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Windows Update.
Click the Avant-garde options push button.

Source: Windows Central
Nether the "Pause until" section, utilize the drop-down menu and select how long to terminate updates.

Source: Windows Cardinal

Once yous consummate the steps, Windows Update volition no longer download for the fourth dimension you specified. When the arrangement reaches the break limit, you will demand to install the latest patch available to make the option available again.

You can e'er disengage the changes with the instructions outlined above, but on stride 5, choose the Select date option. Alternatively, you can accomplish the same issue by clicking the Resume updates button.

How to disable automatic updates using Group Policy

On Windows 10 Pro, the Local Group Policy Editor includes policies to permanently disable automatic updates or change the update settings to cull when patches should be installed on the device.

Disable Windows x updates

To disable automatic updates on Windows ten permanently, use these steps:

Open up Kickoff.
Search for gpedit.msc and click the top event to launch the Local Grouping Policy Editor.
Navigate to the following path:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update
Double-click the Configure Automated Updates policy on the right side.

Source: Windows Central
Check the Disabled pick to turn off automatic Windows 10 updates permanently.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Employ button.
Click the OK push.

Later on you lot consummate the steps, Windows ten will end downloading updates automatically. Withal, the ability to check for updates manually will continue to be bachelor on Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and clicking the Bank check for updates push button to download the most recent patches as needed.

If you want to enable automatic updates on the computer again, you tin can use the verbal instructions outlined above, but on footstep 5, make sure to select the Not Configured choice.

Limit Windows 10 updates

The Local Group Policy Editor also lets you choose how to disable automatic updates.

To manage Windows Update automatic downloads with Group Policy on Windows ten, use these steps:

Open Kickoff.
Search for gpedit.msc and select the pinnacle result to launch the feel.
Navigate to the following path:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update
Double-click the Configure Automatic Updates policy on the right side.

Source: Windows Primal
Check the Enable pick to turn on the policy.
Under the "Options" section, select the option to prevent updates from downloading automatically on Windows x:
- 2 — Notify for download and auto install.
- three — Automobile download and notify for install.
- 4 — Automobile download and schedule the install.
- 5 — Allow local admin to choose setting.
- 7 — Machine Download, Notify to install, Notify to Restart.
Quick tip: The best option to disable automated updates is the 2 — Notify for download and auto install option, just y'all can make a different option. If you lot choose selection two, updates won't download automatically. Instead, you will now see an "Install now" push button to manually trigger an update on the Windows Update settings page.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Click the Apply button.
Click the OK button.

Once y'all complete the steps, automatic updates will be permanently disabled on Windows 10. Yet, when new updates go bachelor, you will be able to install them manually from the Windows Update settings page.

How to disable automatic updates with Registry

You lot tin also use the Registry in two different ways to disable automatic updates on Windows ten.

Alarm: This is a friendly reminder that editing the Registry is risky and tin cause irreversible impairment to your installation if y'all don't practise it correctly. Before proceeding, it's recommended to make a full backup of your PC.

Disable updates

To disable Windows 10 updates permanently changing the Registry settings, employ these steps:

Open up Start.
Search for regedit and click the height result to launch the Registry Editor.
Navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
Right-click the Windows (folder) key, select the New submenu, and cull the Fundamental choice.

Source: Windows Central
Name the new key WindowsUpdate and press Enter.
Right-click the newly created fundamental, select the New submenu, and choose the Fundamental selection.

Source: Windows Primal
Name the new key AU and printing Enter.
Right-click the AU key, select the New submenu, and cull the DWORD (32-scrap) Value choice.

Source: Windows Central
Name the new key NoAutoUpdate and printing Enter.
Double-click the newly created key and alter its value from 0 to one.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Click the OK button.
Restart the figurer.

After you complete the steps, automated updates will exist disabled permanently on the device. However, yous will still be able to download updates by clicking the Check for updates button on the Windows Update settings page.

If you want to disengage the changes, yous can utilize the same instructions outlined to a higher place, just on step 4, correct-click the WindowsUpdate key, select the Delete option, so reboot the figurer to use the settings.

Limit updates

Finally, you can utilise the Registry to configure the system settings to determine how to get updates on Windows x.

To use the Registry to stop automatic updates, simply decide how to receive updates, use these steps:

Open Start.
Search for regedit and click the top event to open up the Registry Editor.
Navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
Correct-click the Windows (binder) key, select the New submenu, and choose the Key option.

Source: Windows Central
Name the new central WindowsUpdate and printing Enter.
Right-click the newly created key, select the New submenu, and choose the Primal option.

Source: Windows Central
Name the new key AU and press Enter.
Right-click the AU key, select the New submenu, and select the DWORD (32-bit) Value option.

Source: Windows Central
Name the new primal AUOptions and press Enter.
Double-click the newly created fundamental and change the value (number simply) to:
- 2 — Notify for download and auto install.
- 3 — Auto download and notify for install.
- 4 — Auto download and schedule the install.
- 5 — Allow local admin to choose settings.
- seven — Car Download, Notify to install, Notify to Restart.
These options are the same every bit the Group Policy settings, and pick 2 is the closest to disable Windows Update permanently.

Source: Windows Central
Click the OK push button.
Restart the computer.

Once y'all consummate the steps, cumulative updates will no longer download and install automatically. All the same, when a new update becomes available, you will find the option to install it manually from the Windows Update settings.

You can use the same instructions outlined higher up to restore the original settings, merely on stride four, correct-click the WindowsUpdate key, select the Delete option, and reboot the computer.

Updates are essential to set up security vulnerabilities, resolve issues, and improve the overall experience, no matter the version of Windows you use. However, you may notwithstanding need to disable this feature in some situations. For case, when y'all desire to accept complete control over updates on Windows x, when y'all desire to avoid issues since bugs are common in well-nigh releases, or when you are using a critical app or equipment, and y'all practise not want to encounter any compatibility issues.

More Windows resource

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions almost Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the post-obit resources:

Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
Windows 11 help, tips, and tricks
Windows 10 on Windows Key — All you demand to know

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