How To Disable Automatic Updates In Windows 10

On Windows 10, cumulative updates download and install automatically as shortly every bit they become available. Although this approach allows laptops and desktop computers to receive security updates to patch vulnerabilities, ameliorate performance, and bring enhancements without user interaction, it is a very controversial feature.

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

If yous experience more than issues than benefits during updates, or if you take 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 10 guide, we will walk y'all through the steps to preclude Windows Update from automatically downloading and installing updates on your computer.

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

How to disable automatic updates using Settings

If y'all have to prevent the system from downloading a specific update, y'all practice not need to disable Windows Update permanently. Instead, you should but break 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, employ these steps:

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

Source: Windows Fundamental
Under the "Suspension until" section, apply the drop-downward bill of fare and select how long to cease updates.

Source: Windows Central

Once you lot complete the steps, Windows Update will no longer download for the fourth dimension yous specified. When the system reaches the pause limit, you will need to install the latest patch available to brand the option bachelor again.

You can always undo the changes with the instructions outlined above, but on step 5, cull the Select engagement option. Alternatively, y'all tin can accomplish the same effect by clicking the Resume updates push.

How to disable automated updates using Group Policy

On Windows x Pro, the Local Group Policy Editor includes policies to permanently disable automated updates or change the update settings to cull when patches should be installed on the device.

Disable Windows x updates

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

Open Get-go.
Search for gpedit.msc and click the top issue 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
Check the Disabled option to turn off automatic Windows x updates permanently.

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

Later you complete the steps, Windows ten volition cease downloading updates automatically. However, the ability to check for updates manually volition continue to exist available on Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and clicking the Check for updates button to download the most contempo patches as needed.

If you want to enable automatic updates on the calculator again, you can use the verbal instructions outlined above, but on step 5, make sure to select the Non Configured option.

Limit Windows x updates

The Local Group Policy Editor likewise lets you choose how to disable automatic updates.

To manage Windows Update automatic downloads with Group Policy on Windows 10, apply these steps:

Open Starting time.
Search for gpedit.msc and select the top result to launch the experience.
Navigate to the following path:

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

Source: Windows Central
Cheque the Enable option to plow on the policy.
Under the "Options" department, select the pick to prevent updates from downloading automatically on Windows ten:
- 2 — Notify for download and machine install.
- iii — Auto download and notify for install.
- four — Automobile download and schedule the install.
- 5 — Allow local admin to cull setting.
- vii — Auto Download, Notify to install, Notify to Restart.
Quick tip: The best option to disable automatic updates is the two — Notify for download and motorcar install option, only you tin brand a different selection. If yous cull option 2, updates won't download automatically. Instead, you lot volition now run across an "Install now" button to manually trigger an update on the Windows Update settings page.

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

In one case you consummate the steps, automatic updates will exist permanently disabled on Windows 10. However, when new updates go available, you volition be able to install them manually from the Windows Update settings page.

How to disable automated updates with Registry

You can also use the Registry in two different ways to disable automatic updates on Windows x.

Alert: This is a friendly reminder that editing the Registry is risky and can cause irreversible harm to your installation if y'all don't practice it correctly. Before proceeding, it's recommended to brand a full fill-in of your PC.

Disable updates

To disable Windows 10 updates permanently changing the Registry settings, apply these steps:

Open Offset.
Search for regedit and click the elevation result 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 Central option.

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

Source: Windows Central
Proper noun the new fundamental AU and press Enter.
Right-click the AU key, select the New submenu, and cull the DWORD (32-bit) Value pick.

Source: Windows Central
Name the new primal NoAutoUpdate and press Enter.
Double-click the newly created key and change its value from 0 to one.

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

After you complete the steps, automatic updates will exist disabled permanently on the device. However, you will nonetheless be able to download updates by clicking the Check for updates push on the Windows Update settings page.

If you want to undo the changes, you can apply the same instructions outlined above, only on step 4, right-click the WindowsUpdate primal, select the Delete option, so reboot the reckoner to apply the settings.

Limit updates

Finally, you tin use the Registry to configure the system settings to decide how to become updates on Windows ten.

To use the Registry to terminate automated updates, but decide how to receive updates, use these steps:

Open Kickoff.
Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry Editor.
Navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
Right-click the Windows (folder) central, select the New submenu, and choose the Cardinal pick.

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

Source: Windows Central
Name the new primal AU and press Enter.
Right-click the AU cardinal, select the New submenu, and select the DWORD (32-scrap) Value option.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Name the new key AUOptions and press Enter.
Double-click the newly created fundamental and change the value (number just) to:
- 2 — Notify for download and machine install.
- 3 — Automobile download and notify for install.
- 4 — Auto download and schedule the install.
- five — Allow 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 2 is the closest to disable Windows Update permanently.

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

Once you complete the steps, cumulative updates will no longer download and install automatically. However, when a new update becomes available, you volition discover the option to install it manually from the Windows Update settings.

Y'all can use the aforementioned instructions outlined in a higher place to restore the original settings, but on step iv, right-click the WindowsUpdate key, select the Delete selection, and reboot the figurer.

Updates are essential to ready security vulnerabilities, resolve bug, and improve the overall experience, no thing the version of Windows you use. However, you may still need to disable this feature in some situations. For instance, when yous want to have complete control over updates on Windows 10, when you want to avoid issues since bugs are mutual in about releases, or when you are using a critical app or equipment, and you do not want to encounter any compatibility issues.

More than Windows resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions virtually Windows x and Windows 11, visit the following resource:

Windows 11 on Windows Central — All y'all need to know
Windows 11 help, tips, and tricks
Windows 10 on Windows Central — All yous need to know

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