How to disable windows 10 updates

How to Disable or Remove Automatic Updates in Windows 10

Read this article to find out how to disable automatic update option in Windows 10. Let’s explore how to remove an unnecessary or faulty Windows update by using integrated system tools or with third-party apps.

Do it with the Services tool

The first method works for Windows 10 Home, Professional and Enterprise.

Type Services in the search field (the magnifying glass icon on the taskbar) and run this system tool.

Find Windows Update service and open its properties.

Click on Stop and select Startup Type – Disabled

After these changes are applied and the computer restarts, Windows Update will not work anymore, so updates won’t be downloaded and installed automatically.

Try Local Group Policy Editor

The second method is only good for Windows 10 Professional and Enterprise. As other versions of Windows lack such component as Local Group Policy Editor.

To start the Local Group Policy Editor, type gpedit.msc in the search field and press Enter.

When in the Editor, go to Computer Configuration – Administrative Templates – Windows Components – Windows Update.

Find the policy Configure Automatic Updates, open it and set it to Disabled. Click Apply/Ok.

Free utilities to disable automatic updates in Windows 10

Also, you can use free utilities to prevent Windows 10 from updating automatically.

As an example, we’ll show you Win Updates Disabler, but there are other tools as well.

Run the program, jump to the tab Disable to check the box next to Disable Windows Updates. After that, click Apply Now for the changes to take effect.

As seen from the screenshot, this program can also disable Windows Firewall and Windows Defender. If necessary, you can turn everything on again in the tab Enable.

How to remove the updates that have already been installed?

If some updates were installed incorrectly, or you want to remove only particular Windows 10 updates, this is also possible.

Go to Control Panel and select Programs & Features.

Jump to the tab View Installed Updates.

Sort them by installation date by clicking on Installed On.

Right-click on one of the updates which you want to delete from the system and click Uninstall.

Confirm your decision and changes will take effect after the system restart.

See the full article with all additional video tutorials. If you still have any questions, please ask in a comments. Also visit our Youtube channel, there are over 400 video tutorials.

How To Disable Windows Update In Windows 10

Last Updated on May 10, 2022 by admin 29 Comments

Want to turn off or disable Windows Update in Windows 10? Here are thee ways to stop Windows 10 from automatically downloading updates or completely disable Windows Update in Windows 10.

It’s no secret that Microsoft has changed the expected location of many tools and components in Windows 10. Many of the settings have been moved from the classic Control Panel to the new Settings app, and during the process, some of the options have been completely left out.

In Windows 10, Windows Update settings have been moved from the classic Control Panel to the new Settings app. While the traditional Control Panel is still present in Windows 10 and we need to navigate to the classic Control Panel to access many of the settings, some of the familiar Windows Update settings have been completely removed.

In previous Windows versions, we could choose what updates are downloaded and installed. In Windows 10, users have very little control over updates.

If, for whatever reason, you want to turn off or disable Windows Update in Windows 10, follow the given below workarounds.

Method 1 of 7

Pause updates for up to 35 days

Windows 10 lets you pause updates for up to 35 days. That is, you can temporarily pause updates with ease. However, once the 35-day limit is crossed, Windows 10 will have to install available updates before you pause updates again. Nevertheless, this is a good option if you want to stop updates for up to 35 days.

Step 1: Go Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.

Step 2: On the right side, click Advanced options.

Step 3: In the Pause updates section, select a date until which you would like to pause updates.

Method 2 of 7

Pause feature updates for up to 365 days

Features updates are the major updates Windows 10 receives twice a year. Around April and October, Microsoft releases major updates (feature updates) to Windows 10. Here is how to stop them for a year:

Step 1: Open the Settings app. Go to Updates & Security > Windows Update.

Step 2: On the right side, click on Advanced options.

Step 3: In the Choose when updates are installed section, you will see “A feature update includes new capabilities and improvements. It can be deferred for these many days” option. Select a number from the drop-down box. The maximum supported is 365 days.

Method 3 of 7

Use Group Policy to disable Windows Update

In this method, we are going to use the Local Group Policy Editor. Since Group Policy Editor is not present in Windows 10 Home edition, this method is not applicable to Windows 10 Home.

Step 1: Open Local Group Policy Editor. To do so, type Edit Group Policy in Start or taskbar search box and then press Enter key. Alternatively, open Run command box, type Gpedit.msc, and then press Enter key to open the same.

Step 2: Navigate to the following policy:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update.

Step 3: On the right-side, double-click on the policy labeled Configure Automatic Updates to open its properties.

Step 4: Select the Enabled option. Under Configure automatic updating, select the second option labeled Notify for download and notify for install. Don’t touch the rest of the settings.

Click the Apply button. As mentioned before, this method will not turn off Windows Update, but you will be notified when updates are available to download. You can ignore the alert to avoid downloading and installing updates.

When this policy is enabled, you’ll see Some settings are managed by your organization message under Advanced options of Windows Update.

Method 4 of 7

Disable updates via Registry

If you are on Windows 10 Home, you can disable the automatic update by making modifications to the Registry. Here is how to do that.

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor by typing Regedit.exe in the Start/taskbar search field and then hitting the Enter key.

Step 2: Navigate to the following key:

Step 3: Right-click on the Windows key, click New and then click Key. Name it as WindowsUpdate.

Step 4: Now that you have created WindowsUpdate key, right-click on it, click New, and then name it as AU.

Step 5: Now, right-click on the AU key, click New and then click DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it as NoAutoUpdate.

Step 6: Double-click on NoAutoUpdate and then change its value data from 0 to 1 to disable automatic updates.

Note that this disables automatic updates only. You can manually check for updates by clicking the Check for updates button in Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update page.

Method 5 of 7

Disable Windows Update service permanently

This is the best method to completely disable Windows Update in Windows 10. In this method, we will disable the service responsible for checking, downloading, and installing updates for Windows and other programs including Windows Defender.

Step 1: Type Services in Start menu or taskbar search box and then press Enter key. Alternatively, you can type Services.msc in Run command box and then press Enter key to open Services.

Step 2: Here, look for the service named Windows Updates. Right-click on it and click Properties to open Windows Update Properties dialog.

Step 3: Here, change the Startup type to Disabled. Click the Apply button and then reboot your computer. That’s it!

From here on, Windows 10 will not be able to check for updates. Good luck!

Method 6 of 7

Use Windows Update Disabler

Over the past few years, a bunch of applications has been released to help Windows 10 users block updates. One of them and probably the best of the lot is Windows Update Disabler. With Windows Update Disabler, you can disable the updates in Windows 10 with a click.

Method 7 of 7

Change your network type to Metered

This solution is no longer effective as Windows 10 now download priority or critical updates when on a metered connection.

By default, Windows 10 doesn’t download all updates when you’re on a metered connection. It downloads only priority updates when on a metered connection. You can make use of this by setting Metered connection property to your network connection.

To set a network as metered, do this:

Step 1: Navigate to Settings app > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.

Step 2: On the right side, you can see the Wi-Fi network name (SSID) that your PC is connected to. Click on it.

Step 3: In the Metered connection section, turn on the Set as the metered connection option.

For ethernet connection, refer to our how to set an Ethernet connection as a metered network in Windows 10 guide for step-by-step instructions.

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Comments

OMG thank you so much.

Goodbye to updates that makes my laptop work as a zombie and cause problems.

thank you a lot!!

Christiano Max says

I use NetLimiter 4 with some modifications in configuration to block any access of windows update service to internet, work fine for me, recent i upgrade to new 20H windows 10 clear and install NetLimiter Again and work fine, the answer is told microsoft working normal and block all services of update to access internet and go happy!
P.S. Work too for any program to block access to internet effectively, all, remember!

The Update Disabler is the only one that actually does anything as it blocks connections to Microsoft servers. You will still get high CPU usage on start-up and shut down but at least it doesn’t try to take over the system in the middle of use. I just need to figure out how to disable Windows Defender.

MS mafia has become a typhoon. Sadam Housain of Iraq, Joseph Stalin of Russia and Adolph Hitler of Germany combined. The annoying and disturbing updating MS spy is out of control. Public should come together and put an end to this Tyron MS Mafia.

Sir Or Ma’am I totally sick of Windows 10 continuesly updates ever since I connect my internet with my system it automatically starts updates and eats my full data which I don’t like it all and one more thing is that my system start freezing because of windows 10 plzzzzz help me to get out of this problem thank u sir

John Smith says

Those methods do not work.
Even a 5 yo knows that.
Shame on you.

well, the second section does not disable the update completely and it may download and bootloop your windows

This don’t work, everyone knows that already. Anyone who believes it is gullible as hell.
Microsoft has it developed so no one can “disable” bill gates minions are following his leadership.
Big questions is… Are YOU going to fall-in-line as the gullibles? Or are you going to FINALLY make a stand AGAINST microsoft and their queen (bill gates) CONTROL?

Hello Linux goodbye Controlled Empire of bill gates

This works beautifully until you restart your computer then you got to do it again. I have done it so many times, I can now do it with my eyes closed. I wish there was a way to do it PERMANENTLY and I mean PERMANENTLY. 🙂

Not being very computer savey,can I just kick the shit out of my pc and send the bits to Bill Gates to shove up his arse.

With thanks. I used the third method, desabled but error comes says ‘acess denied’.

Thank you. I was able to do this quite easily starting with Administrative Tools under Control Panel. All I want is a simple option to postpone Windows updates according to my own schedule. Windows 7 had that. Why was that option removed for Windows 10?

Jack D. Ripper says

First thanks for the work on this. The only thing I found that helps.
Second, I did go into the Local Group Policy Editor but when I looked at the options in the Configure Automatic Updates I did not find “2- Notify for download and notify for install”.

This is what I found:
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 setting

Has Windows shut it down in my install?

I have WIndows 10 Pro 1709 build: 16299.125

Like “Jake” said on Dec 21st 2017 and William Todd on Dec 18th 2017, I too was on Windows 10 Version 1607 with the Windows update service set to stopped and disabled.
(I am on an ethernet connection, so no metered connection unfortunately).
I’ve had Windows updates disabled since April of 2017, so its been 8 months with no updates installed.
On the 13th, I had a Nvidia driver update forced on me (388.13) along with the 1607 December Cumulative Update and the Windows Update Assistant.
The Update Assistant will eventually force you to upgrade to 1709, and I did.
I rolled it back with the “Go back to a Previous build”.

Disabled the update service again. Set device installation settings to “No”, went into the “Windows Update” folder in the task scheduler and disabled all the triggers for each of the tasks. Went into the “Update Orchestrator” folder in the task scheduler and deleted all the tasks for the Update Assistant and Update Assistant Calendar Run.
Also deleted the “Schedule Scan” task.
Also of course I deleted the Update Assistant from my programs.
But, for whatever reason the Windows Update service would keep going back to “Manual Start” (yet stopped) every single day.

Seems like if the Update Assistant gets ya… you might need to do a clean install as Windows is tricky and will mess with you…

After a year without being interrupted by updates, suddenly, like William Todd (18 Dec 2017), I also found the Windows Update service to have been re-enabled (though without having connected to any ‘unmetered’ connection), after I unexpectedly saw “Configuring Updates” on boot-up. I disabled it again. Now today I see Windows Upgrade Assistant appearing modally over the screen (fortunately with an option to hide it, otherwise it would have rendered the computer unusable) saying it doesn’t have enough disk space (8Mb needed) to install “Important Security Updates”. The process was in a folder “C:\Windows10Upgrade” that was created on 14 Dec. And again, Windows Update service has been re-enabled.

I killed the process, renamed that folder, and have changed the registry permissions so that I am the owner of and “Everyone” is denied all access to the key `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\wuauserv`. Hopefully that will stop anything being able to re-enable the service, but I wonder about `ControlSet001`, `ControlSet002`, etc. Could these be swapped in and out so that the service becomes enabled because a different ‘control set’ is selected?

William Todd says

Hmmm. I’ve succeeded in thwarting Windows Update for a couple of weeks on a new laptop running Win10 1607 that we’re testing by using your Method 3 above AND setting our WiFi connection to ‘metered’, but when my wife took it elsewhere and used a new (not set to ‘metered’) WiFi connection updates started downloading and at least one installed. When I checked to see whether the service was still disabled it was not, so Microsoft may have a mechanism that sneaks in a change on an unmetered connection without using the service and then un-disables it.

Have yet to try the Windows Update MiniTool in the related links list above but from the discussion at forums.mydigitallife.net/threads/windows-update-minitool.64939/ it sounds promising.

Tony stark says

What if I disable window update using edit group policy

Windows 10 is made to work and fix any issue happen anytime online because it stays connected to Microsoft. But in case if it disturbs you, you should use another OS according to your requirements. To me windows 10 is good. I have never got my system crashed. It always worked fine for me.

If you want your PC becomes unusable install windows 10

i had to much trouble with os windows 10. blue screen every time which indicate that this software is failed software in human history. crashed os most of time

John Stinehour says

Had to do this since the last anniversary update. Windows 10 is like the 1000K gorilla in the room.

Al metcalf says

WINDOWS 10 SUCKS. because of this. Friggin Microsoft buttheads. The only real option is number 3 but then you have a problem because you can no longer download anything from app store unless you reverse step 3 and allow updates. Once you do that windows will notice you need updates and even if you turn updates off again after getting app, windows automatically downloads updates. No friggin way around it. Screw you Microbutts!! I am finally going all Linux.

How do I disable windows 10 altogether after uploading the free version from the internet using my old windows 7 program?

hi this is my problem

after stopping windows update in services it automatically restarts, i have tried all the above possible ways and i am unsatisfied with windows 10 due to updates so i have downgraded to windows 8.1 pls help me

Method 2 with GPEDIT is more convenient than method 2: say I want to install WU but do not wand to instal new build JUST NOW when workink on metered connection. I’ve hoped that “Defer” introduced in 10162 or earliar, will help to postpone build 10240 download as I HAD already ISO but nevertheless download started. had to mount ISO and immediatly run Install from ISO. That helped wasting of 2 Gb download 🙂

question

How to perminantely disable windows 10 updates

How can we completely disable windows 10 pro 20H2 update. We stopped the service and set it to disable, but over time the service restarts and updates continue to happen. Our systems do not have internet access so this causes a problem and sometimes restarts the computer.

Never come to a Microsoft forum and try to ask a reasonable question like how do I stop Microsoft from putting bloatware malware and spyware on my system. As you’ll get the cancer squad below telling you why you should not do it rather then actually answering your questions. This endless stank continues on the answers version of this double edged blade as well.

They could of just not answered which would have been alot better then, wasting your time like this.

1 way of preventing windows updates is not to use windows, switch to linux Ubuntu is pretty nice. Others have also decided to go back to Windows 7. I actually blocked this pos through the Microsoft firewall, these fools actually went into my settings and removed it like the virus they are. If you want to continue using this Hitler software package because of lack of options, its best to grab another firewall that is not Microsoft related and block it through their, and get back your choices, no one should be able to force you to do something you don’t want to do.

Also if they for any reason go into your third party software example Norton, and try and remove your settings, you can then sue them for hacking.

Why do you want to disable the Windows Update?
IS your PC domain-joined?

why isn’t important. but to answer your question because it will sometimes cause a restart after the update (even though it can’t update). Also, we don’t want automatic processes using system resources on our system.

Also noone wants M$ taking control of theiur machine just as they were the victim of a backdoor attack?

8 Answers

You can pause the update as suggested here:

Thanks for reaching out.
You may check below GPO settings to prevent updates being installed.

If the device is running Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise, you can use the Group Policy Editor to set target feature update version.
To configure a target feature update version with Group Policy, use these steps:
Search for gpedit and click the top result to open the Group Policy Editor.
Browse the following path:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Windows Update for Business
Double-click the Select target Feature Update version policy.
Check the Enabled option.
Under the “Options” section, confirm the target version of the feature update you want to set the device.

You can use Group Policy to block automatic updates. This ensures updates are downloaded/installed only when you want them:

Open GPO snap-in by running gpedit.msc command.

Click Apply, followed by OK.

Multiple reboots will finally disable auto updates.

Let us know if this helps!

Note: Included link in this reply refers to blog post by a trusted Microsoft MVP.

shut up microsoft slave

Credit goes to original finder (not me). This workaround disables ALL windows updates permanently and works on all windows 10 versions.

Caution! Modifying the registry can cause serious system problems, if you do not know what you are doing. Disabling updates also puts you at risk of existing vulnerabilities Right Click>Permissions>Advanced>Change owner>Advanced>Find Now>Select Administrator>OK>OK>Disable inheritance>Remove all inherited permissions from this object>Tick «replace all child object permissions. «>Apply>Yes>Yes>OK>OK>OK

Do the same for «WaaSMedicSvc» and «wuauserv»

After changing as shown in video, no one will be able to read or write from them (including system and yourself) Services.msc>Action>Refresh

«Update Orchestrator Service», «Windows Update», «Windows Update Medic Service» should be having an error message in description

To confirm: Run>Services.msc>Action>Refresh

«Update Orchestrator Service», «Windows Update», «Windows Update Medic Service» should have disappeared from the list.

Open Windows Update window and it will display «Something went wrong. Try to reopen Settings later»

If you decide you want updates later in life, you can just use the reversal method mentioned below and everything will be as it was.

Reversing disabling updates

Go to registry editor, and go to HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services

Scroll down to UsoSvc and select it. Will give you an error. Press OK and close error window.

Now UsoSvc is already selected>Right Click>Permissions>Press OK on warning window>Advanced>Press OK on warning window>Change owner>Advanced>Find Now>Select Everyone>OK>OK>Apply>Enable inheritance>Apply>Tick «replace all child object permissions. «>Apply>Yes>>OK>OK>

Do the same for «WaaSMedicSvc» and «wuauserv»

Enable and start the following services if not already running in services (Run>services.msc):

-Update Orchestrator Service

-Windows Update Medic Service

Doesn’t seem to be an option to «Vote» RE this comment.
I vote yes to every sentiment related by this commenter.

How to Turn Off Automatic Updates on Windows 10

One of the controversial features of Windows 10 is a new way that the operating system handles updates. Cumulative updates are installed automatically when Windows decides to do it. This can be extremely frustrating for Windows 10 users as they are often forced to restart their machine at an inopportune time.

Before proceeding, remember that some of the automatic updates will be security updates or important stability improvements that you will want to have installed on your system. Keep this in mind if you choose to keep automatic updates turned off for an extended period of time.

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One option which we will not look at in depth is to make registry changes to your Windows operating system to disable automatic updates. This is a dangerous procedure and should only be taken by experienced users who have taken a full backup of their machine before attempting the registry changes. Mistakes during this process can have serious negative effects on your computer and its performance.

Option 1. Disable the Windows Update Service

Windows Update is essentially just another Windows Service and can be turned off in a similar manner to other services.

Follow these steps to stop Windows 10 updates:

When you want to re-enable automatic updates you just follow the same procedure except you select “Automatic” when choosing the “Startup Type”.

Option 2. Set Up a Metered Connection

If you are using WiFi to connect your Windows 10 machine to the Internet, you have the option of setting up a metered connection. In a metered connection, bandwidth is conserved by only automatically downloading and installing priority updates.

Microsoft’s method of classification may remain a mystery, but driver and software feature updates that may cause stability problems are minimized by opting for this option for stopping Windows 10 automatic updates.

To disable Windows 10 updates:

For some reason, Microsoft only offers this option if you are using a WiFi connection. If you connect to the Internet through an Ethernet cable you will not be able to set up a metered connection.

Option 3. Group Policy Editor

You can make changes to the Group Policy Editor if you are using Windows 10 Education, Pro or Enterprise editions. Users of Windows 10 Home edition are out of luck regarding this way of disabling Windows 10 updates.

If you opt for this solution, security updates will still be installed automatically. For all other updates, you will be notified that they are available and can install them at your convenience. This is the way Windows update worked in the past. Today, Microsoft wants to eliminate the need for novice users to engage in updates, but it has enforced this at the cost of flexibility for more experienced users.

Here’s how to update your Group Policy Editor to prevent automatic Windows 10 updates:

From this point forward Windows should notify you that updates are available and it is your responsibility to make sure that they get downloaded and installed.

Why Would I Need to Know How to Disable Windows 10 Updates?

Operating system, driver, and application updates can often lead to unexpected behavior on the computer on which they are installed. One way to protect yourself and your machine from unanticipated problems is to perform a backup before installing updates to your system.

Unfortunately, when automatic updates are being installed without your approval, you cannot take this precautionary step and face the possibility of having to resort to an older backup if you need to go back past the update.

Many updates need to reboot your machine when complete and certainly take up bandwidth while downloading. This can lead to slower response time and unforeseen reboots that can cause havoc with your work life.

So there are indeed valid reasons to turn off automatic updates in Windows 10. Just be careful not to turn the service off and forget to check for updates. While automatic updates can be problematic, letting your system lag behind critical updates can also have serious consequences.

How to enable and to disable Microsoft Update

INTRODUCTION

The Windows Update Web site provides security updates for Microsoft Windows operating systems. The Microsoft Update Web site provides these updates in addition to updates for other Microsoft programs, such as Microsoft Office. By default, your Microsoft Windows 2000-based, Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based or Microsoft Windows XP-based computer will access the Windows Update Web site. If you would like to receive updates for other Microsoft programs please perform the steps that are listed below.

More Information

I am currently using Windows Update. How can I access Microsoft Update?

To use Microsoft Update instead of Windows Update, follow these steps:

Visit the following Microsoft Web site:

Click Start Now.

On the Review the license agreement page, click Continue.

Note You may not be prompted to install the Microsoft Update software if this software is already available on the computer.

After you successfully install the software, a Microsoft Update shortcut is added to the All Programs menu on the Start menu.

I am currently using Microsoft Update. How can I access Windows Update?

To stop using the Microsoft Update Web site and start using the Windows Update Web site, follow these steps:

On the Microsoft Update site, click Change Settings.

Scroll down the page, click to select the Disable Microsoft Update software and let me use Windows Update only check box, and then click Apply changes now.

You receive the following message:

Windows Automatic Updates will not be able to deliver updates from Microsoft Update Service.

Are you sure you want to continue?Click Yes.

For more information about a related topic, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

327838 How to schedule automatic updates in Windows Server 2003, in Windows XP, and in Windows 2000