This wikiHow teaches you how to prevent your Windows 10 computer from performing system updates. Unfortunately, there is no way to permanently disable automatic updates. However, you can suspend updates for an indefinite period of time using the Services program or set the WiFi connection as a metered connection. You can also turn off automatic updates for apps and drivers on your computer if you prefer.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Disabling Update Service
Step 1. Understand the limitations of this method
While disabling the automatic update service may temporarily suspend cumulative updates on Windows 10, it will automatically re-enable after a certain amount of time.
Step 2. Open the “Start” menu
Click the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of the screen.
Step 3. Type in services
After that, the computer will look for the program "Services".
Step 4. Click Services
This option is at the top of the “ Start ”, just to the right of the gear icon. After that, the “Services” window will be opened.
Step 5. Scroll to the “Windows Update” option
It's at the bottom of the window.
Step 6. Double click the “Windows Update” option
After that, the “Windows Update Properties” window will be displayed.
Step 7. Click the "Startup type" drop-down box
It's in the middle of the window. After that, a drop-down menu will be displayed.
If you don't see this option, make sure that you're on the right tab first by clicking the tab “ General ” at the top of the “Properties” window.
Step 8. Click Disabled
This option is in the drop-down menu. With this option, the Windows Update service will be prevented from running automatically for the time being.
Step 9. Click Stop
It's at the bottom of the window. After that, the Windows Update service will be stopped.
Step 10. Click Apply, then click OK.
These two options are at the bottom of the window. After that, the settings will be applied and the “Properties” window will be closed. Now, the Windows Update service has been disabled.
Step 11. Repeat this method any time after you restart the computer
Unfortunately, this is not a permanent method. You will need to repeat this method each time you restart or restart your computer.
You can also check the “Services” window every 24 hours to make sure the service is not reactivated automatically
Method 2 of 4: Using a Metered Connection
Step 1. Understand that this method cannot be followed on an ethernet connection
You can only disable automatic updates with this method on a WiFi connection.
Step 2. Open the “Start” menu
Click the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of the screen. After that, the menu " Start " will be shown.
Step 3. Open “Settings”
Click the gear icon in the lower left corner of the " Start " After that, the “Settings” window will be opened.
Step 4. Click
"Networks & Internet".
This option is in the “Settings” window.
Step 5. Click the Wi-Fi tab
It's in the top-left corner of the window.
Step 6. Click the name of the connection being used
It's at the top of the page. After that, the WiFi connection settings page will be opened.
Step 7. Scroll to the "Set as metered connection" section
This segment is at the bottom of the page.
Step 8. Click the "Off" toggle
After that, the feature will be activated
so Windows cannot download updates over the currently connected network.
If the switch is colored and shows an "On" label next to it, your WiFi connection is already set up as a metered connection
Method 3 of 4: Using the Group Policy Editor
Step 1. Make sure you are using the right version of Windows
You need a pre-Anniversary edition of Windows 10 Pro or its equivalent. You cannot use this method on Windows 10 Home Edition.
- The Education and Enterprise editions of Windows 10 also include the Group Policy Editor feature.
- You can check the Windows version by typing system in the menu window “ Start ", choose " System Information ” at the top of the menu, and look for the label "Microsoft Windows 10 Professional" to the right of the "OS Name" heading.
- The Windows Anniversary Update also removed the option to turn off automatic updates from the Group Policy Editor feature.
Step 2. Open the “Start” menu
Click the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of the screen.
Step 3. Type run
After that, the computer will look for the Run program.
Step 4. Click Run
This option is indicated by a rapidly flying envelope icon at the top of the “ Start After that, the Run program will be displayed in the lower left corner of the computer screen.
Step 5. Run the Group Policy Editor feature
Type gpedit.msc in the Run program window, then click the “ OK The “Group Policy Editor” window will open after that.
Step 6. Go to the "Windows Update" folder
In the left sidebar of the “Group Policy Editor” window, follow these steps:
-
Click
which is on the left side of the "Administrative Templates" folder.
-
Click
which is on the left side of the " Windows Components " folder.
- Scroll down and click on the "Windows Update" folder.
Step 7. Click Configure Automatic Updates
This entry is in the main “Group Policy Editor” window. After that, the entry will be selected.
Step 8. Open the “Configure Automatic Updates” properties window
Right click the entry Configure Automatic Updates ” is selected, then select “ Edit ” in the displayed drop-down menu.
Step 9. Check the "Enabled" box
It's in the upper-left corner of the window.
Step 10. Click the "Configure automatic updating" drop-down box
This box is on the left side of the window.
Step 11. Click 2 - Notify for download and notify for install
This option is in the drop-down menu. With this option, you will be given a warning/question before the update is installed so that you can decline the update.
Step 12. Click Apply, then select OK.
After that, the changes will be saved.
Step 13. Apply changes
To do so:
- Open menu " Start ”
- Open " Settings ”
- Click " Updates & Security ”
- Click " Windows Update ”
- Choose " Check for updates ”
- Wait for Windows to identify available updates (Windows will not install the updates immediately).
Step 14. Restart the computer
Click the menu Start ”
choose Power ”
and click Restart ” on the pop-up menu. After the computer finishes restarting, the update preferences are saved.
You can still manually allow updates when they become available
Method 4 of 4: Disabling Automatic Updates of Windows Store Apps
Step 1. Open the “Start” menu
Click the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of the screen. After that, the menu " Start " will be shown.
Step 2. Click
"Microsoft Store".
Usually, you can see this option on the right side of the “ Start ”.
If you don't see the “Store” icon in the menu “ Start ”, type store into the search bar at the bottom of the menu and click “ Store ” when the option is displayed at the top of the menu.
Step 3. Click
It's in the upper-right corner of the window. After that, a drop-down menu will be displayed.
On earlier versions of Windows 10, click your profile photo in the upper-left corner of the Windows Store program window
Step 4. Click Settings
This option is in the drop-down menu.
Step 5. Click the colored “Update apps automatically” switch
After that, the switch will be turned off
