How to stop automatic updates on Windows 10
On Windows 10, quality updates (or cumulative updates) always download
and install automatically as soon as they're ready for your device. While this
approach makes sure that every computer has the
latest security patches, performance, and stability improvements, it's also
among the features that users complain the most.
Usually, it's because to apply updates users are
required to restart their devices, and because updates are also known to
(sometimes) cause problems negatively affecting the user experience.
Whatever the reason it might be, depending on
your edition of Windows 10, you can regain
control and stop automatic updates using Group Policy and Registry.
In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through
the steps to block Windows Update from automatically downloading and installing
updates on your computer.
How to disable automatic updates
using Group Policy
On Windows 10 Pro, you can use the Local Group Policy editor
to disable automatic updates permanently, or you can change the Windows Update
settings to decide when updates should install.
Disabling updates
To permanently disable automatic updates on Windows
10, use these steps:
1. Open Start.
2. Search for gpedit.msc and
select the top result to launch the experience.
3. Navigate to the
following path:
Computer
Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Update
4. Double-click
the Configure Automatic Updates policy on the right side.
5. Check the Disabled option
to turn off the policy.
6. Click the Apply button.
7. Click the OK button.
Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 will stop downloading
updates automatically.
While automatic updates remains disabled, you can
still download and install patches manually from Settings > Update
& Security > Windows Update, and clicking the Check
for updates button.
If you change your mind, you can always revert the
changes using the same instructions, but on step No. 5, make sure
to select the Not Configured option.
Limiting updates
Alternatively, if turning off the policy isn't
working, you can also try customizing the Windows Update settings using Group
Policy to limit the availability of updates on your device.
To control Windows Update settings with Group
Policy, use these steps:
1. Open Start.
2. Search for gpedit.msc and
select the top result to launch the experience.
3. Navigate to the
following path:
Computer
Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Update
4. Double-click
the Configure Automatic Updates policy on the right side.
5. Check the Enable option
to turn on the policy.
6. In the
"Options" section, you'll find a number of options to configure
automatic updates, including:
o
2 - Notify for download and auto install.
o
3 - Auto download and notify for install.
o
4 - Auto download and schedule the install.
o
5 - Allow local admin to choose setting.
Quick tip: The closest
option to disable automatic updates is the 2 - Notify for download and
auto install option, but you can select the option that best fits your
situation.
7. Click the Apply button.
8. Click the OK button.
After completing the steps, updates will stop
downloading automatically. However, when a new update becomes available, you'll
receive a notification to download and install updates manually from the
Windows Update settings page.
How to disable automatic updates
using Registry
If you're running Windows 10 Pro, you can also
disable automatic updates in two different ways using the Registry.
Disabling updates
To permanently disable updates on Windows 10
modifying the Registry, use these steps:
Warning: This is a
friendly reminder that editing the Registry is risky, and it can cause
irreversible damage to your installation if you don't do it correctly. It's
recommended to make a full backup of your PC before
proceeding.
To permanently disable Windows Update using the
Registry, use these steps:
1. Open Start.
2. Search for regedit and
select the top result to launch the experience.
3. Navigate to the
following path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
4. Right-click
the Windows (folder) key, select New, and then
click on Key.
5. Name the new
key WindowsUpdate and press Enter.
6. Right-click the
newly created key, select New, and click on Key.
7. Name the new
key AU and press Enter.
8. Right-click on the
right side, select New, and click on DWORD (32-bit) Value.
9. Name the new
key NoAutoUpdate and press Enter.
10.
Double-click the newly created key and change its value from 0 to 1.
11.
Click the OK button.
12.
Restart your computer.
Once you complete the steps, Windows Update should
stop trying to download and install updates automatically on your device.
If you want to update manually, you can perform
this task from Settings > Update & Security> Windows
Update, and clicking the Check for updates button.
Limiting updates
In the case that using the Registry to disable
updates isn't working as expected, you can also use the Registry to customize
the Windows Update settings to prevent updates from installing automatically.
To customize Windows Update settings to block
updates with the Registry, use these steps:
1. Open Start.
2. Search for regedit and
select the top result to launch the experience.
3. Navigate to the
following path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
4. Right-click
the Windows (folder) key, select New, and then
click on Key.
5. Name the new
key WindowsUpdate and press Enter.
6. Right-click the
newly created key, select New, and click on Key.
7. Name the new
key AU and press Enter.
8. Right-click on the
right side, select New, and click on DWORD (32-bit) Value.
9. Name the new
key AUOptions and press Enter.
10.
Double-click the newly created key and change its value (number only)
using one of the following options:
o
2 — Notify for download and auto
install.
o
3 — Auto download and notify for
install.
o
4 — Auto download and schedule the
install.
o
5 — Allow local admin to choose
settings.
These options work similar to
the Group Policy settings, and number 2 is the closest option
to disable Windows Update permanently. However, you can always select the
setting the best suits your situation.
11.
Click the OK button.
12.
Restart your computer.
After completing the steps, Windows 10 will stop
installing updates automatically. However, you'll receive notifications as soon
as new quality updates are available, but they won't download and install until
you approve them manually.
You can always use the same instructions to restore
the original settings, but on step No. 4, right-click the WindowsUpdate key,
and select the Delete option. Then reboot your device to
complete applying the settings.
Wrapping things up
Updates are crucial to safeguard your computer and
data and to improve the overall experience, as such it's never recommended to
use an unpatched device. However, there are many scenarios when disabling
updates could make sense. For instance, when you may need to apply updates
manually, or you want to make sure that a particular update doesn't have any
issues before installing it on your computer.
Also, this guide only stops monthly updates, which
usually fix security vulnerabilities and improves the stability of Windows 10.
If you want to avoid automatic installs of feature updates, such as the Windows 10 October
2018 Update, you need to modify the settings to defer major releases.
