How To Stop Windows 10 From Updating?

On Windows ten, cumulative updates download and install automatically every bit shortly as they become available. Although this arroyo 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 characteristic.

Usually, it'south because updates contain bugs that can negatively affect the experience in many ways. For instance, they could interruption existing features, introduce commuter and application compatibility problems, or cause the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD), and they require a arrangement restart to complete the installation that tin can disrupt your workflow.

If y'all experience more problems than benefits during updates, or if yous have a good reason to use a device without updates, depending on your edition of Windows 10, you tin disable automatic updates using the Settings app or permanently with the Group Policy and Registry.

In this Windows x guide, nosotros will walk you through the steps to forestall Windows Update from automatically downloading and installing updates on your computer.

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

How to disable automated updates using Settings

If you have to prevent the organization from downloading a specific update, you do not need to disable Windows Update permanently. Instead, you should but intermission Windows Update until the next Patch Tuesday arrives. The Settings app includes an option to stop updates for up to 35 days on Windows ten.

To disable automated updates temporarily, utilize these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Windows Update.
Click the Advanced options button.

Source: Windows Central
Under the "Pause until" section, employ the drib-down menu and select how long to stop updates.

Source: Windows Primal

Once you complete the steps, Windows Update volition no longer download for the time you specified. When the system reaches the pause limit, you will need to install the latest patch available to brand the choice available over again.

You can always undo the changes with the instructions outlined higher up, but on step 5, choose the Select date option. Alternatively, you can accomplish the same effect by clicking the Resume updates button.

How to disable automated updates using Group Policy

On Windows 10 Pro, the Local Grouping 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 10 updates

To disable automatic updates on Windows 10 permanently, use these steps:

Open Start.
Search for gpedit.msc and click the top result to launch the Local Group Policy Editor.
Navigate to the following path:

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

Source: Windows Central
Cheque the Disabled pick to plough off automated Windows 10 updates permanently.

Source: Windows Fundamental
Click the Apply push.
Click the OK button.

Afterwards you complete the steps, Windows 10 will stop downloading updates automatically. However, the power to check for updates manually volition continue to be available on Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and clicking the Cheque for updates button to download the virtually recent patches as needed.

If you want to enable automatic updates on the computer once more, you lot can use the exact instructions outlined above, but on stride 5, brand sure to select the Non Configured choice.

Limit Windows ten updates

The Local Grouping Policy Editor besides lets you choose how to disable automatic updates.

To manage Windows Update automated downloads with Group Policy on Windows 10, use these steps:

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

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

Source: Windows Central
Cheque the Enable selection to turn on the policy.
Under the "Options" section, select the selection to preclude updates from downloading automatically on Windows 10:
- 2 — Notify for download and auto install.
- 3 — Motorcar download and notify for install.
- 4 — Auto download and schedule the install.
- 5 — Allow local admin to choose setting.
- seven — Auto Download, Notify to install, Notify to Restart.
Quick tip: The all-time pick to disable automatic updates is the two — Notify for download and automobile install selection, but you lot can brand a unlike selection. If you lot choose option 2, updates won't download automatically. Instead, y'all volition now encounter an "Install now" button to manually trigger an update on the Windows Update settings page.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Use button.
Click the OK button.

One time you consummate the steps, automatic updates will be permanently disabled on Windows 10. However, when new updates become available, y'all volition be able to install them manually from the Windows Update settings page.

How to disable automatic updates with Registry

You can also utilise the Registry in two different ways to disable automated updates on Windows 10.

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that editing the Registry is risky and can crusade irreversible harm to your installation if y'all don't do it correctly. Before proceeding, it's recommended to make a full backup of your PC.

Disable updates

To disable Windows x updates permanently irresolute the Registry settings, use these steps:

Open Start.
Search for regedit and click the summit event 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 choose the Key option.

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

Source: Windows Cardinal
Proper name the new key AU and press Enter.
Right-click the AU key, select the New submenu, and choose the DWORD (32-bit) Value pick.

Source: Windows Key
Name the new key NoAutoUpdate and press Enter.
Double-click the newly created key and modify its value from 0 to ane.

Source: Windows Primal
Click the OK button.
Restart the computer.

Subsequently yous complete the steps, automatic updates will be disabled permanently on the device. Even so, you volition still be able to download updates by clicking the Cheque for updates button on the Windows Update settings page.

If you want to undo the changes, you can apply the same instructions outlined above, but on step iv, right-click the WindowsUpdate cardinal, select the Delete option, then reboot the figurer to apply the settings.

Limit updates

Finally, you tin can utilise the Registry to configure the organisation settings to decide how to get updates on Windows ten.

To use the Registry to cease automated updates, but make up one's mind how to receive updates, use these steps:

Open Start.
Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry Editor.
Navigate to the post-obit path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
Correct-click the Windows (binder) central, select the New submenu, and cull the Central option.

Source: Windows Central
Proper name the new cardinal WindowsUpdate and press Enter.
Right-click the newly created key, select the New submenu, and cull the Central option.

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

Source: Windows Central
Name the new key AUOptions and printing Enter.
Double-click the newly created key and change the value (number only) to:
- ii — Notify for download and auto install.
- iii — Auto download and notify for install.
- 4 — Auto download and schedule the install.
- 5 — Permit local admin to choose settings.
- 7 — Auto Download, Notify to install, Notify to Restart.
These options are the same as the Group Policy settings, and option ii is the closest to disable Windows Update permanently.

Source: Windows Central
Click the OK button.
Restart the reckoner.

In one case yous complete the steps, cumulative updates will no longer download and install automatically. However, when a new update becomes available, you will find the pick to install it manually from the Windows Update settings.

You lot can use the same instructions outlined above to restore the original settings, just on stride 4, correct-click the WindowsUpdate cardinal, select the Delete selection, and reboot the computer.

Updates are essential to fix security vulnerabilities, resolve issues, and improve the overall experience, no matter the version of Windows you use. Yet, you may still need to disable this feature in some situations. For instance, when you want to have consummate control over updates on Windows x, when you lot want to avoid problems since bugs are common in virtually releases, or when you are using a critical app or equipment, and you do not desire to encounter any compatibility bug.

More than Windows resources

For more helpful manufactures, coverage, and answers to common questions well-nigh Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

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

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