After switching to the latest version of the Microsoft operating system, many users encountered a problem associated with the constant downloading of system files. This process puts a lot of stress on weak laptops and computers, preventing normal operation. For this reason, questions on the Internet increasingly began to be asked: “How to disable automatic updates of Windows 10?”
The fact is that Windows Update is always enabled by default, and deactivating it will confuse an inexperienced user. The article provides detailed instructions for getting rid of annoying updates.
How to completely disable updates in Windows 10
Despite the efforts of OS developers who strive to automate all processes, make the system safe and easy to learn, arbitrary downloading of new drivers or improvement of installed programs causes dissatisfaction among the majority of users. For this reason, we were able to find “loopholes” that allow you to disable Windows 10 updates forever.
There are several working ways to fix this problem. Let's take a closer look at them.
Deactivating the standard Windows Update service
Using this method makes it possible to permanently disable the downloading and installation of new software. To use this method, you must go through the following procedure:
- Open the window of all OS services. To do this, open the “Run” window using the Win+R key combination. In the field that appears, enter the command services.msc and press the “Enter” key.
- In the large list that appears, you need to find the only service that is responsible for the update. It is recommended to sort the column alphabetically. The command you are looking for is at the very bottom - “Windows Update”.
- By double-clicking on it with the left mouse button, “Properties” will open. In the “General” tab, the startup type is changed. To completely disable the Windows 10 update, select the “Disabled” line.
- To save the changes, click the “Apply” button, then “OK”.
Now the system will not be able to check for updates, constantly giving an error.
Using the ability to edit group policies
This method is not suitable for all versions of Windows 10, namely Home. If another version of the operating system (Enterprise, Pro) is installed on a computer/laptop, it is recommended to use this shutdown method, since it is the most advanced.
To understand how to disable Windows 10 updating by using the Group Policy Editor, you need to go through a certain sequence of steps:
- Open the Run window by pressing the Win+R key combination.
- In the input field, write the line gpedit.msc. Press “Ok” or “Enter”.
- A window appears with a tree on the left side. Select “Computer Configuration” from the list provided.
- The “Administrative Templates” subsection opens in the central part.
- Next, you need to find the “Windows Components” folder.
- The desired directory is located at the bottom of the list that opens. To disable Windows 10 updates permanently, go to Windows Update.
- From a large list, select the line “Setting automatic updates”. Right-click on it and select the “Edit” option.
- Another window pops up. Now you need to set the radio button to the “Disabled” position.
- Saving changes is carried out by clicking “Apply” and then “OK”.
After completing the entry of user settings into the operating system registry, all open windows are closed. Now you can manually check for new system files. If they are found, it's okay. New settings may take 10-20 minutes to apply. Despite this, the automatic search for updates was disabled immediately after clicking “Apply”.
Now each user has the opportunity to independently configure the Windows 10 update mode for themselves.
Cancel automatic Windows 10 updates: Video
They became mandatory, i.e. they are downloaded and installed automatically as soon as they become available. Although the new mechanism is convenient in terms of ensuring that Windows 10 devices are up to date and receive timely security patches, fixes and improvements, not all users like this feature.
If you are using a computer running Windows 10, then depending on the system edition, you have the ability to disable automatic updates using the Local Group Policy Editor or the system registry.
In this guide, we will show you how to block the installation of automatic updates in Windows 10.
How to disable automatic updates using local group policies
If you're using Windows 10 Pro, you can use the Group Policy Editor to prevent updates from automatically downloading and installing.
- Enter gpedit.msc
- » and double-click on it.
- Select the "" option to disable this local policy.
- Click the "Apply" button.
- Click OK.
After completing these steps, Windows 10 will no longer download updates automatically. This way you can also save bandwidth when using limited connections. To install future updates you need to go to the application Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
If disabling the policy doesn't work, you can use the Group Policy Editor to prevent updates from automatically installing on your computer.
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run command window.
- Enter gpedit.msc and click OK to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
- Go to the following path: Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Update
- On the right side of the window, select “” and double-click on it.
- Select the option " Included" to enable this local policy.
- In the options section you will find several available options:
Choose the option that best suits your needs. It is recommended to use option 2 - Download notification and automatic installation to disable automatic updates on a permanent basis.
- Click the "Apply" button.
- Click OK.
Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
You can rollback the changes at any time using the same sequence of actions, but in step 5 you need to select the “Not Configured” option. Then reboot your device to apply the changes.
How to disable automatic updates using the registry
In Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Home, you can turn off automatic updates using the registry.
Note: Changing the registry incorrectly can cause serious problems. It is recommended that you back up your Windows registry before performing these steps. From the Registry Editor menu, select File > Export to save a backup.
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run command window.
- Enter regedit
- Go to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
- New > Section.
- Name the new section WindowsUpdate and press Enter.
- New > Section.
- Name the new section AU and press Enter.
- New > DWORD Value (32 bits).
- Name the new parameter and press Enter.
- Double-click on the created parameter and change the value from 0 to 1.
- Click OK.
After completing these steps, Windows 10 will not receive updates automatically. To force installation of future updates, you need to go to the application Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
Configuring Automatic Update Options
If disabling Service Policy doesn't work, you can use Registry Editor to prevent updates from automatically installing on your computer.
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run command window.
- Enter regedit and click OK to open Registry Editor.
- Navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
- Right-click on the Windows partition and select New > Section.
- Name the new section WindowsUpdate and press Enter.
- Right-click on the created WindowsUpdate partition and select New > Section.
- Name the new section AU and press Enter.
- Right-click on the created AU partition and select New > DWORD Value (32 bits).
- Name the new parameter AUOptions and press Enter.
- Double-click on the created parameter and set one of the following values:
- 2 - Notify before downloading and installing any updates.
- 3 - Automatically download updates and notify when they are ready for installation.
- 4 - Automatically download updates and install them according to the specified schedule.
- 5 - Allow local administrators to select the notification and installation configuration mode for automatic updates.
Similar to using the Group Policy Editor, you can choose the option that best suits your needs. It is recommended to use option 2 - Download notification and automatic installation to disable automatic updates on a permanent basis.
- Click OK.
After completing these steps, Windows 10 will stop downloading updates automatically. When new updates become available, you will be notified and will have to install them manually by going to the app Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
You can rollback the changes at any time using the same sequence of actions, but in step 4 you need to delete the WindowsUpdate section using the right-click menu. Then reboot your device to apply the changes.
Conclusion
While we've provided instructions for turning off Windows 10 automatic updates, it's important to emphasize that skipping updates is not recommended. The reason is that updates are critical to keeping Windows 10 running properly and keeping your data safe.
However, there are scenarios where you may want to be able to manually apply updates or schedule installations over a specific period of time. For example, you want to ensure that a particular cumulative update works correctly before installing it on a workstation.
These instructions will only block monthly cumulative updates, which typically fix security vulnerabilities and improve Windows 10 performance.
If you want to stop automatic installation of feature updates such as the Windows 10 October 2018 Update for a period of time, you'll need to set up the option to delay installation of major updates. And starting with Windows 10 May 2019 Update, the system will no longer automatically install feature updates twice a year.
To disable Windows 10 updates, you can also use third-party utilities StopUpdates10 or Kill-Update.
Found a typo? Highlight and press Ctrl + Enter
One of the undoubted disadvantages of the Windows 10 operating system is its obsessive desire to update without the user’s desire. And this often happens at the wrong time. Or updates installed by the system itself not only did not improve the performance, but also broke some functions. Therefore, it is logical that the user would want to interfere with the automatic update process and disable it or at least enable it on a schedule.
How to disable automatic updates in Windows 10
Let us immediately warn you that each method described below has limitations in operating system editions. Let's remember that Windows 10 has 11 of them:
- Home;
- Home for one language;
- Home with Bing;
- Professional;
- S (Professional configuration);
- Mobile;
- Corporate;
- Corporate with long-term service;
- For educational institutions;
- Mobile corporate;
- Io T Home.
You can find out more about the editions and their functions.
Now let's look at the 3 main ways to disable the update.
Disabling the update center (service)
We act in stages:
Now about the versions. This method is suitable for Professional, Home and Corporate.
Disabling through the Local Group Policy Editor
The following method is only suitable for Windows 10 Professional and Enterprise.
- Search again, this time we start entering “Group..” and click on the control panel element already offered to us.
- In the editor, go to the “Computer Configuration” branch. Next is the “Administrative Templates” folder. Here we look for “Windows Components”. And finally - “Windows Update”. In the window on the right, select “Setting automatic updates”.
- Click on “Change policy setting”. In this window, activate the “Disabled” item. Apply the changes and close.
Through deletion from the registry
Well, the third method, which will not work only in the Home version, is through the Windows 10 Registry Editor.
Programs to disable Windows 10 update
Since many users are dissatisfied with the “independence” of Windows 10, programs to interfere with the operation of the system were not long in coming. Among others - Win Updates Disabler. One of the undoubted advantages of this utility is that it is free. However, before downloading and installing a version of this program, it is worth checking it for viruses so as not to harm the system. In application, the program is intuitively simple and clear - put a tick in front of the desired item (the program of the same name) and apply the changes.
The program itself will disable the firewall and system defender that are interfering with it, but to do this, when installing and using the program, you must act as an administrator.
Among similar programs, Windows Update Blocker is also in demand. However, you will have to pay for its use.
The official Windows update management utility
There are suggestions that the Windows developers themselves realized that the intrusiveness of the system is slightly annoying, and standard tools make it difficult for the average user to manage this process, or even block it altogether. Moreover, situations began to arise when the updates that arrived not only did not improve the system, but also broke some of its functions. Therefore, the developers themselves created a utility to block updates.
The program is called Show or hide updates.
There is one thing: only those updates that you have not installed yet are shown. This means that if an unwanted update is already installed on the system, then it must first be removed (by system means) and only then hidden using the utility.
Video: how to disable Windows 10 updates
How to enable automatic updates
We have already mentioned above how to resume the automatic update service.
When working with Windows policies, the sequence of actions is the same as when turning them off, only this time we need the “Enabled” item.
Now let's talk about managing updates and possible problems with it.
Setting up automatic updates
It's likely that you're happy with automatic system updates, but would just like to have control over their schedule. Then you should do the following:
- In Search, look for “Options”.
- Go to “Update and Security”.
- By clicking on “Advanced options” we will be able to choose the appropriate method for installing updates from two available ones: automatically or after a reboot notification.
Also, as you can see, we can select “Delay updates” - in this case, downloading and installing updates will be disabled for some time.
- Well, to view the updates installed on your computer, you can go to “Programs and Features” and find the “Installed updates” item there. Here the user can delete the desired update.
Windows 10 Update won't open
This situation may arise due to a malfunction of the entire system. The problem that has arisen can be solved in a universal way - through the Windows Troubleshooting tool.
- In Search, enter the name of the tool and click on the result of the same name.
Select the highlighted item
- Here we select the “System and Security” item, and in it - the first sub-item.
Select the first sub-item in the “System and Security” item
- We see the Windows Update window. Now we check that there is a checkmark under the “Advanced” link (as in the picture below), and click Next, then Next again.
Check the box and select "Run as..."
- Now we wait. What is happening now: the error correction tool stops the update service; renames the folder in which the update cache is stored; restarts the service. Upon completion of these actions, the result will be displayed on the screen as in the picture below.
We have a report in front of us: what the tool found and what it corrected.
- Close the patch tool and make a new attempt to install updates.
So, to manage automatic system updates, the average user has access to both standard Windows tools and third-party utilities that are simple and easy to use. It is impossible to say unequivocally whether a system update brings benefit or harm - for everyone it is subjective. But, nevertheless, it will never be superfluous to configure automatic updates to suit the characteristics of your computer. The main thing is to follow the instructions and do not forget that you always work with system files and services at your own peril and risk.
Good afternoon, dear readers, today the article is again devoted to the ten, as you remember, almost a year and a half has passed since its release, and the number of glitches associated with new updates that Microsoft employees are riveting is only growing and people who used to happily switch from 7 or 8 to a fresh operating system, while criticizing the old versions, they are forced to admit that the top ten is far from ideal and are switching back to their usual OS. Today we will look at the question of how to disable Windows 10 Redstone updates. Of course, I am in favor of installing security updates, but for example, there are cases when installing them is only detrimental, and requires updating to the top of the new update, which does not come out right away.
Why can I turn off Windows 10 automatic updates?
- The new update brought me a blue screen of death, an example is the blue screen whea uncorrectable error, you must agree that it’s not very cool when closing another MS glitch creates another one for you
- Any of the devices does not work, examples include cases where after updating Windows 10 the camera does not work or the sound does not work on Windows 10, I think any person will immediately lose the desire to update anything, especially for clients, why bother with extra hemorrhoids.
- Games or programs stopped working, for example, my friend has a cool mouse and for example in the anniversary update a special utility worked for it, but in redstone it doesn’t work, and I’m generally silent about games, especially for those people who are used to installing cracked versions.
So, as you can see, people have reasons not to like the top ten and prohibit its updates.
How to disable updates in Windows 10 permanently
Yes, just for always, until you explicitly want to enable them yourself, below I have selected for you all the methods known to me, some of them are simple, others are more complex.
How to prevent automatic updates in Windows 10 through Update
As you know, in the Windows line of operating systems there is a service called Windows Update, it is the presence of this process that forces your top ten to receive the latest updates. The fastest way to disable a running service. Press the magic hotkey combination Win+R and in the window that opens, write services.msc
We go down to the very bottom and find a service called Windows Update, as you can see it works and its startup type is automatic, this means that when the system starts, the service starts in the same place as it, we don’t need this. We right-click on it and stop it at the beginning, then go to properties.
We find the startup type field and select Disabled there, this is a hundred percent prohibition for starting the service.
Thanks to this, you managed to disable the Windows 10 update, but there is still a small nuance.
Every week, Windows 10 will still try to find updates and return the update service to a working state; this is done through tasks in the scheduler, which need to be disabled
Open Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Task Scheduler
Go to Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows > Windows Update and turn off 4 tasks there by right-clicking.
It should look like this.
Below we will look at the second method how to disable automatic updates in windows 10.
How to disable automatic Windows 10 updates through the local policy editor
We discussed the first method, I’ll tell you about one more, but it is not suitable for all users, since it only works in Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise, due to the fact that they have such a component as the local group policy editor. It essentially helps to disable Windows 10 updates in the registry, since all the changeable settings in it are just the GUI interface of the Windows registry.
Press Win+R again and enter gpedit.msc.
Here the editor is the local group policy editor, it contains two sections, per user and per computer, we will be interested in the second. Let's go along the path:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Configure automatic updates
This is the item that will help you disable Windows 10 updates in the registry; double-click on it. We put the switch in the Disabled position, this will prohibit automatic Windows 10 updates forever.
Above I talked about the task scheduler, also check if they are turned off
For people who want to control everything and create the necessary keys in the registry themselves, we do the following. You need to launch the windows registry editor, go to this branch:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\ Policies\ Microsoft\ Windows\ WindowsUpdate\ AU
here you need to right-click to create a DWORD 32-bit parameter in hexadecimal form with the value 1.
These are the two most effective methods to prohibit updates in Windows 10 redstone, below I will show a couple of additional settings that will also, to one degree or another, complement the first methods.
Windows 10 blocking program
Yes, there is a program that prohibits updating Windows 10, to be honest, I’m not a supporter of such things, if everything can be implemented with standard and built-in tools of the operating system itself. We go to the website http://www.site2unblock.com/, below we find the Win Updates Disabler program. Download it, there is even a portable version
All you need to do is check the Disable Windows update checkbox and click Apply now.
Using a metered connection
The Windows 10 operating system has such functionality as a metered connection, thanks to which you can make it so that it will not download updates automatically if this connection is used. By setting a metered connection for WiFi this way (it’s logical that this won’t work on a local network), you will disable the installation of updates.
Press Win+I to open Windows 10 Settings.
go to Network and Internet - Wi-Fi and below the list of wireless networks, click Advanced settings. Set the slider to Disable Set as metered connection.
Now ten will not automatically download and install new updates as long as your Internet connection is listed as metered.
If you still have questions about how to disable updates in Windows 10, then write them in the comments.
In older versions of Windows, there were no problems with disabling automatic system updates - it was enough to go to Control Center, go to the desired category and set one single switch to the desired position. With the release of Windows 10, this feature was removed.
It is possible to disable automatic Windows 10 updates, and there are several ways to do this. Some of them are available for all OS versions, while others are available for Pro and Enterprise.
No it's not safe. Updates not only introduce new functionality, but also fix bugs and vulnerabilities, thereby improving system performance and reliability.
Malware exploits holes in the OS to steal valuable data. Attackers, in turn, create viruses for older versions of programs that contain known (information about which is publicly available) vulnerabilities. Consequently, the longer Windows is not patched, the higher the risk that access details to payment systems, bank accounts, pages on social networks, etc., present on the PC, will leak into the hands of third parties.
5 main ways to disable updates
Especially for you, we have prepared 5 main ways to disable automatic updating of Windows 10 - choose the most convenient one and act!
Control Center "Dozens" does not have the ability to disable automatic system updates. It’s also not available in “Settings,” the new configuration panel that appeared in Windows 8. In “Settings,” you can only set the activity period—the time during which the user usually works on the PC. During the corresponding specified period, the system will not ask to reboot in order to install updates.
You can disable auto-updates through the Internet connection settings. This method involves setting a limit on your Internet connection. This can be done in “Settings” in the “Network and Internet” category on the WiFi tab. On the corresponding screen there is a switch “Set as limit...” - it needs to be activated. After this, Windows will consider that the user pays for each megabyte and will not download updates.
3. Setting up group policies
You can disable automatic updates by changing the Group Policy configuration. However, this method of blocking the downloading and installation of patches only works for Pro and Enterprise versions. If the OS meets one of these requirements, then to disable automatic updating you need to:
- open the Run window (Win+R), then enter gpedit.msc in the appropriate text field and press Enter;
- a window will open where the directory structure will be presented on the left - there you need to follow the path “Administrative Templates” -> “Windows Components” -> “Windows Update Center”;
- Once in the right place, you will need to select “Setting automatic updates” on the right side of the screen;
- Double clicking on the corresponding item will bring up an additional window where you need to set the switch to the “Disabled” position and then apply the configuration.
4. Changes to the registry
If the OS version does not meet the specified requirements, you can disable auto-update through the registry. This is done as follows:
- you need to open the Run window and type regedit, and then press Enter;
- follow the path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU;
- Once in the specified location, create a DWORD type parameter, and specify NoAutoUpdate as its name and 1 as the parameter.
But the easiest way to get rid of updates is to deactivate the corresponding service.
5. How to disable Windows 10 Update (service)
To prevent updates from being checked, and therefore not being downloaded or installed, you can disable the service that is responsible for this. This can be implemented as follows:
- open the Run window and enter services.msc into it, and then, of course, press Enter;
- in the window that will then open, you need to find the “Windows Update” item;
- double-clicking on this item will open an additional window in which you need to select “Disabled” in the “Startup type” drop-down menu, and then apply the new configuration;
- in the same window you need to click on the “Stop” button.
If you need to install patches, you will need to enable the service as described, only instead of “Disabled” select “Automatic”.
How to disable Windows 10 update permanently
Any of the above methods (except for setting a limited shutdown) prohibits automatic updating forever, until the user himself wants to install the patches.
Programs to disable Windows 10 updates
There are many applications through which you can prevent updates from downloading automatically. But it is better not to use them, as they may contain malicious code. Except for one thing – Show or hide updates – this is an official utility from Microsoft.
It should be downloaded exclusively from the official Microsoft website. After downloading, installing and launching, you will need to click Hide updates and select patches that do not need to be installed (for example, all those present). If you want to install updates, then in the program you will need to click Show hidden updates and select the required patches from the list.
If you still don’t want to understand the intricacies of system settings, you can download the Win Updates Disable application. It must be downloaded only from the official website of the project or from trusted sources. After installing and launching the application, you will need to activate the “Disable updates...” checkbox on the “Disable” tab, and then apply the configuration.
Another application is Destroy Windows 10 Spy. The corresponding program has many functions that are associated with blocking the ability of Microsoft to track users. One of them is to disable OS auto-update.
Disable automatic loading of device drivers
Windows 10 automatically updates drivers, which can sometimes lead to undesirable results for the user. To prevent the system from installing new driver versions, you need to use the Show or hide updates utility already mentioned above.
In it you need to click Hide updates and from the list select devices whose drivers should not be updated. When the corresponding checkboxes are ticked, you will need to click “Next”.
