Operating System

How to Stop Automatic Updates on Windows 10? A Step-by-Step Guide

One of the controversial features of Windows 10 is the way it automatically updates and manages the operating system. But when Windows decides to do this, the released updates are automatically downloaded and installed by default.

In addition to the features and advantages of this update, one problem can be mentioned, for example, imagine that you have a significant task and suddenly Windows starts updating, and you will not be able to do something special.

Updates are provided to fix security problems, address, and overall system improvement.

But sometimes it is necessary to disable them, for example, when we want to control system updates or plan the amount of internet usage and the installation time of downloaded updates.

We want to explain in this article how to stop automatic updates on Windows 10.

How to disable automatic updates using Settings

If you want to prevent your computer from downloading a particular update, you don’t need to disable Windows Update forever because you can delay updates for as long as you want. For example, we want to stop updates for seven days.

To activate this method, follow the steps below;

1. Go to Settings.

2. Select Update & Security.

3. Select Windows Update.

4. Select the Pause updates for 7 days option.

After performing the steps mentioned above, Windows Update will not update other programs on the computer for the time you specified.

When your computer reaches the temporary stop limit, you must install the latest available patch so that this option is available to you and you can update the program on your computer.

You can also cancel the changes you have made with the steps mentioned above, but in step 4, you can select the date option.

Alternatively, you can accomplish the same effect by selecting the Resume updates button.

How to disable automatic updates using Group Policy

If you are using Windows 10 Education, Pro, or Enterprise versions, you can use this feature to disable the Windows 10 update.

But users of the Windows 10 Home version are not able to use this method to close Windows 10 updates forever.

Before reading the following steps, it should be noted that in this method security updates will still be installed automatically.

But for other updates, you will be notified that they are available and you can opt out of them.

1.Go to Start.

2. Search for gpedit.msc.

3. Select the top result to launch the Local Group Policy Editor.

4. Open the Computer Configuration.

5. Click on Administrative Templates.

6. Click Windows Components.

7. Select Windows Update.

8. Double-click the Configure Automatic Updates policy on the right side.

9. Check the Disabled option to turn off automatic Windows 10 updates permanently.

10. Select the Apply button.

11. Select the OK button.

After you have done the above steps, Windows 10 will automatically stop downloading app updates.

But it is possible to check the updates manually. To do this, you can enter the settings, then enter the update and security section. In this section, there will be Windows updates, and click on the updates button to download the latest patches if needed.

If you need to re-enable automatic updates on your computer, you can use the steps mentioned in the above section, but in step 9, make sure you have selected the Not Configured option.

Limit Windows 10 updates

To manage the automatic download of Windows Update using the Group Policy tool in Windows 10, you can use the steps mentioned in the bottom part:

1.Go to Start.

2. Search for gpedit.msc.

3. Select the top result to launch the Local Group Policy Editor.

4. Open the Computer Configuration.

5. Click on Administrative Templates.

6. Click Windows Components.

7. Select Windows Update.

8. Double-click the Configure Automatic Updates policy on the right side.

9. Check the Enable option to turn on the policy.

10. In the options section, select the option to prevent automatic download of updates in Windows 10.

Note: The best way to disable automatic updates is the Notify for download and auto-install option, but you can also do it another way.

If you select the Notify for download and auto-install option, updates will not be downloaded automatically.

But you will see an Install now button so that you can manually activate an update on the Windows Update settings page.

10. Select the Apply button.

11. Select the OK button.

After performing the steps mentioned above, the automatic updates of your computer programs will be disabled forever in Windows 10.

But when new updates become available, you can install them manually from the Windows Update settings page.

How to disable automatic updates with Registry

Another way to stop automatic updates in Windows 10 is to use the registry feature to disable automatic updates.

Disable updates

To stop automatic updates in Windows 10 by making changes in the registry settings, you can use the steps mentioned below:

1.Open Start.

2. Search for regedit and select the top result to launch the Registry Editor.

3. Navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

4. Right-click the Windows (folder) key.

5. Click on the New submenu.

6. Choose the Key option.

7. Name the new key Windows Update.

8. Hit Enter.

9. Right-click the newly created key.

10. Click the New submenu, and choose the Key option.

11. Name the new key AU and hit Enter.

12. Right-click the AU key.

13. Click the New submenu.

14. Choose the DWORD (32-bit) Value option.

15. Name the new key No Auto Update.

16. Hit Enter.

17. Double-click the newly created key and change its value from 0 to 1.

18. Select the OK button.

19. Restart the computer.

After performing the above-mentioned steps, automatic updates will be permanently disabled on your Windows 10 PC.

But when a new update became available, you can install those updates manually from the Windows Update settings page.

If you need to cancel the changes you have made, you can use the same, steps mentioned in the above section.

But you should note that in step 4, right-click on the Windows Update key and select the Delete option, after doing these steps, you need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect on your computer.

Limit updates

Finally, you can use the registry tool to configure system settings to decide how to receive updates in Windows 10.

To stop automatic updates in Windows 10, you can use the registry tool (choose how to receive updates) and use these steps:

1.Open Start.

2. Search for regedit.

3. Select the top result to open the Registry Editor.

4. Navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

5. Right-click the Windows (folder) key.

6. Click the New submenu.

7. Choose the Key option.

8. Name the new key Windows Update.

9. Hit Enter.

10. Right-click the newly created key.

11. Click the New submenu.

12. Choose the Key option.

13. Name the new key AU.

14. Hit Enter.

15. Right-click the AU key.

16. Click the New submenu.

17. Click the DWORD (32-bit) Value option.

18. Name the new key AUOptions.

19. Hit Enter.

20. Double-click the newly created key.

Note: These options are the same as Group Policy settings and you can also use the Notify for download and auto install option which is the best option to disable Windows Update permanently.

21. Select the OK button.

22. Restart the computer.

After performing the above-mentioned steps, automatic updates will be permanently disabled on your Windows 10 PC.

But when a new update became available, you can install those updates manually from the Windows Update settings page.

If you need to cancel the changes you have made, you can use the same, steps mentioned in the above section.

But you should note that in step 4, right-click on the Windows Update key and select the Delete option, after doing these steps, you need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect on your computer.

Last Words

In this article, you can effortlessly stop your automatic updates in Windows 10 with the three methods mentioned above.

Have you used the methods mentioned in this article?

What other ways do you know to stop automatic updates in Windows 10?

Share your thoughts and experiences with us.

Sarah Kmz

Sara is a talented author and technology enthusiast with a passion for writing about Windows tips and tricks. She was born and raised in Seattle, Washington and has always had a love for all things related to technology. After completing her degree in Computer Science at the University of Washington, Sara began working as a software developer. She quickly discovered that she had a talent for writing and decided to combine her two passions by starting a blog about Windows tips and tricks. Sara's blog quickly gained popularity and she became known for her clear and concise writing style, as well as her ability to explain complex technical concepts in a way that was easy for anyone to understand. Her blog has become a go-to resource for Windows users looking to optimize their experience and make the most out of their technology. In addition to her work on her blog, Sara is also a prolific writer of technical articles for a number of different publications. Her writing has been featured in numerous technology blogs and websites, and she is widely respected in the industry for her expertise in the field. When she's not writing or working on her blog, Sara enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. She is also an avid traveler and is always looking for new places to explore and new experiences to have. Overall, Sara is a talented writer and technology expert who is dedicated to sharing her knowledge with others. Her passion for both technology and writing has made her a respected figure in the industry, and she continues to inspire and educate others through her work on her blog and beyond.

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