4 Best Ways to Stop Automatic Updates on Windows 10 Permanently

Windows 10 is automatically updating in the background and it can be tough to stop. Here’s how you can make sure your system stays secure while still getting bug fixes and new features on a regular basis.

Windows 10 updates are automatically downloaded to your computer. If you don’t want to have this happen, there are 4 ways that you can stop the automatic update process.

The way Windows handles cumulative updates has changed with the Windows 10 release. Windows 10 automatically downloads and installs updates on your computer. Automatic Updates are handy and assure current security fixes, but they may also be irritating. As a consequence, you may choose to turn off or turn off automatic updates in Windows 10.

Not all of the upgrades improve the system; in fact, some of them may introduce new flaws. These issues often have a detrimental impact on the user experience. You may need to restart your computer for the upgrades to complete, which might take longer than planned and disrupt your productivity.

If you see these issues with every update, it’s recommended to turn off Windows 10 updates completely. There are four options for turning off automatic updates in Windows 10. Using Options, Registry, Metered Connection, and Group Policy Editor, this post will teach you how to disable automatic updates in Windows 10.

Table of Contents

1 How to Turn Off Automatic Updates on Windows 10
2 Most Commonly Asked Questions
3 Windows Updates Have Been Permanently Disabled
- - 3.0.1 Related Tags

How to Turn Off Automatic Updates on Windows 10

To properly block or stop Windows 10 from automatically downloading and installing updates, there are three options. These strategies have been tried and shown to be successful.

Using Settings
How to Use Group Policy Editor
Making Use of the Registry
Configuring a Metered Connection

Method 1: Using Settings to Disable Automatic Updates

You may miss a couple of the Windows 10 updates if you don’t want to deactivate them completely. You may suspend updates using this strategy till the day you choose. If you’re using Windows 10 Home or Pro, you’ll be able to pause the updates for up to 35 days.

Follow these instructions to temporarily deactivate automatic updates in Windows 10:

By hitting Win + I on the keyboard, you may access the Settings menu.
Select Update & Security from the drop-down menu.
Under Windows Update, choose Advanced Options.
Select how long you want to stop updates from the “Select date” drop-down box under the Pause Updates section.

After you complete the instructions above, Windows 10 updates will be totally blocked until the date you choose. If you wish to utilize the option again once the device reaches the stated date, you must apply the updates.

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You may reverse these modifications at any moment by repeating the method described above. However, in Step 4, be sure you choose “Select date.” To restart updates, go to the Windows Update Settings and select the Resume Updates option.

Users could previously postpone feature and security upgrades in Windows 10. However, with the release of Windows 10, this has changed. On Windows 10, you can no longer put off important feature upgrades.

Method 2: Using the Group Policy Editor, disable or limit automatic updates.

Users may permanently prevent or suspend automatic updates using the Group Policy Editor in Windows 10 Pro. You may also use the Group Policy Editor to decide when they should be installed on your device.

Using Group Policy Editor, disable automatic updates on Windows.

Here’s how to use Group Policy to disable Automatic Updates on Windows 10:

Press Enter after clicking Start and typing “gpedit.msc.”
When Group Policy Editor is open, go to the following path: Windows Components > Windows Updates > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Updates
Double-click the Configure Automatic Updates policy item from the list of choices.
To permanently deactivate automatic updates on Windows 10, choose the Disable option.
Select the Apply option from the drop-down menu.
Close everything by clicking OK.

After you’ve completed the instructions above, Windows 10 will no longer download automatic updates to your computer. Unlike the Settings method, you will still be able to manually select updates. Settings > Updates & Security > Windows Update is where you’ll discover them. To pick which updates to install manually, go to Check for Updates.

How to Use Group Policy Editor to Limit Automatic Updates on Windows

You may also use Group Policy Editor to block Automatic Updates on Windows. You may notify them before to downloading or installing updates.

Follow these methods to restrict or limit automatic updates on Windows:

Press Enter after clicking Start and typing “gpedit.msc.”
When Group Policy Editor is open, go to the following path: Windows Components > Windows Updates > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Updates
Double-click the Configure Automatic Updates policy item from the list of choices.
Select Enable from the drop-down menu.
You may set up automatic updating in the following way:
- 2 – Set up a notification for download and installation.
- 3 – Download automatically and tell you when it’s time to install.
- 4 – Schedule the download and installation.
- 5 – Allow the configuration to be selected by the local administrator.
- 7 – Auto-Download, Install Notification, Restart Notification
Select the Apply option from the drop-down menu.
Close everything by clicking OK.

If you want to keep updates to a minimum, 2- Notify for download and auto-install should be your best choice. Once you’ve completed the instructions, Windows updates will be permanently deactivated, and you’ll be notified anytime a new update is released.

Method 3: Using the Registry Editor, limit or disable automatic updates

The registry editor technique should be used if you wish to permanently restrict or deactivate automatic updates on Windows 10.

Keep in mind that Registry editing is a high-risk endeavor. If you make a mistake, the modifications are permanent, and you’ll have to start again with Windows 10. Before you use Registry to stop automatic updates, we suggest that you make a complete backup.

How to Use the Registry Editor to Turn Off Windows Updates

Click Start and put regedit into the search box. As indicated, choose the first result. If UAC prompts you, choose Yes.
After you’ve opened the Registry Editor, go to the following location: HKEY LOCAL MACHINE > SOFTWARE > POLICIES > Microsoft > Windows HKEY LOCAL MACHINE > SOFTWARE > POLICIES > Microsoft > Windows
Select New > Key from the context menu of the Windows folder.
Type WindowsUpdate and press Enter when asked for a name.
Select New > Key from the context menu of the newly generated WindowsUpdate folder.
Press Enter and give it the name AU.
Select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value from the context menu of the newly formed AU folder.
Press Enter after giving it the name NoAutoUpdate.
Change the value of the NoAutoUpdate key on the right-side panel from 0 to 1 by double-clicking it.
Click OK
Your computer should be restarted.

After you’ve completed these steps, Windows 10 will turn off automatic updates on your machine for good. You may restart the updates using the Check for Updates option within the Windows Update settings, just as you do using the Group Policy Editor.

Using the Registry Editor, you may limit the number of automatic updates on Windows.

You may select Windows to alert and download updates in the same way that you can in the Group Policy Editor. Follow the instructions below to personalize automatic updates to some extent:

Click Start and put regedit into the search box. As indicated, choose the first result. If UAC prompts you, choose Yes.
After you’ve opened the Registry Editor, go to the following location: HKEY LOCAL MACHINE > SOFTWARE > POLICIES > Microsoft > Windows HKEY LOCAL MACHINE > SOFTWARE > POLICIES > Microsoft > Windows
Select New > Key from the context menu of the Windows folder.
Type WindowsUpdate and press Enter when asked for a name.
Select New > Key from the context menu of the newly generated WindowsUpdate folder.
Press Enter and give it the name AU.
Select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value from the context menu of the newly formed AU folder.
Press Enter and give it the name AUOptions.
Change the value of the AUOptions key on the right-side panel from 0 to 2,3,4,5,7 according to your preferences by double-clicking it. Here’s what those figures mean:
- 2 – Set up a notification for download and installation.
- 3 – Download automatically and tell you when it’s time to install.
- 4 – Schedule the download and installation.
- 5 – Allow the configuration to be selected by the local administrator.
- 7 – Auto-Download, Install Notification, Restart Notification
Click OK
Your computer should be restarted.

After you’ve completed these steps, Windows will disable automatic updates on your machine altogether. You’ll be warned before Windows downloads and installs updates if you limit such updates.

Undo the actions by erasing the choices you generated in Registry Editor if you want to restore the settings. After that, just restart your computer and you’re ready to go.

Method 4: Set up a Metered Connection to Disable Automatic Updates

It’s considerably simpler to turn off Windows Updates while you’re connected to the internet through WiFi. Setting up a metered connection is a simple process. By deactivating automated downloads and updates, a Windows Metered connection consumes less bandwidth.

Follow these steps to disable automatic updates by setting up a metered connection:

By hitting Win + I on the keyboard, you may access the Settings menu.
Select Network & Internet from the drop-down menu.
After connecting to your WiFi network, choose Properties from the drop-down menu.
Toggle the option to set the connection as metered.

That’s all; your computer’s Automatic Updates will now be disabled in Windows 10. You may pick when and how to check for updates, as well as which ones to install. Because Windows 10 doesn’t support metered connections via Ethernet, you may not be able to see it if you connect by wired or broadband.

Most Commonly Asked Questions

Should I prevent or stop Windows 10’s automatic updates?

Windows Updates assist to improve your system’s security and stability. Some upgrades, on the other hand, do more damage than benefit. By disabling updates, you may prevent your system from upgrading without your knowledge. As a result, your internet bandwidth will be conserved. Furthermore, it allows you greater freedom and control over these updates, allowing you to apply them whenever you wish.

Is it possible to turn off or turn off Automatic Updates in Windows 10 for good?

Yes, any of the four techniques listed above may be used to permanently block Windows 10 updates. All of these approaches will prevent Windows from automatically updating. You may try the other way if the first one doesn’t work.

How Do I Stop a Windows 10 Update That Is Running?

Disconnect your internet connection or use the registry procedure suggested in the above list to stop a Windows 10 update from running. This will bring the currently running update to a halt. However, if you reconnect to the internet, it will begin to download again. To keep this from occurring, it’s recommended to utilize the Registry approach.

Windows Updates Have Been Permanently Disabled

We hope you were able to disable Windows 10’s automatic updates. Disabling Windows Automatic Updates is a better option for conserving bandwidth on your internet connection and protecting your PC against Windows problems. Many automated upgrades will need you to reset your computer while you are working. These approaches will assist you in permanently disabling Windows Updates. Please post any questions or recommendations in the comments section below.

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