Stop Windows 10 Automatic Updates for Good!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding Automatic Updates in Windows 10
3. Reasons to Disable Automatic Updates
4. Method 1: Changing the Automatic Update Settings from Windows Services
   1. Step 1: Open Task Manager
   2. Step 2: Open Windows Services
   3. Step 3: Disable the Windows Update Service
   4. Step 4: Resume the Windows Update Service
5. Method 2: Disabling Automatic Updates Using the Registry Editor
   1. Step 1: Open the Registry Editor
   2. Step 2: Navigate to the Windows Update Key
   3. Step 3: Create the "Au" Key
   4. Step 4: Create the "NoAutoUpdate" Value
   5. Step 5: Restart your Computer
   6. Step 6: Re-enable Automatic Updates (if needed)
6. Method 3: Disabling Automatic Updates Using Group Policy Settings
   1. Step 1: Open the Group Policy Editor
   2. Step 2: Navigate to the Windows Update Settings
   3. Step 3: Disable Automatic Updates
   4. Step 4: Disable Automatic Restart
   5. Step 5: Restart your Computer
   6. Step 6: Re-enable Automatic Updates (if needed)
7. Conclusion
8. Pros and Cons of Disabling Automatic Updates
9. FAQ

How to Permanently Disable Automatic Updates in Windows 10

Introduction

Windows 10 is known for its automatic update feature, which constantly downloads and installs new updates for the operating system. While these updates are intended to improve security and enhance functionality, there may be situations where You want to disable automatic updates. In this tutorial, we will explore different methods to permanently disable automatic updates in Windows 10. Please note that disabling automatic updates can leave your computer vulnerable to security threats, so it is important to manually check for updates regularly.

Understanding Automatic Updates in Windows 10

Automatic updates in Windows 10 are designed to keep your operating system up to date with the latest features, bug fixes, and security patches. By default, Windows 10 automatically downloads and installs updates in the background without user intervention. This ensures that your system stays secure and up to date without requiring manual updates.

Reasons to Disable Automatic Updates

There are several reasons why you may want to disable automatic updates in Windows 10:

• You want to retain a specific version of Windows for compatibility reasons.
• You are running sensitive applications that may be affected by updates.
• You prefer to manually control the update process to avoid unexpected changes in the system.
• You have limited internet bandwidth and want to save data by disabling automatic downloads.

Method 1: Changing the Automatic Update Settings from Windows Services

Disabling automatic updates can be accomplished by changing the startup Type of the Windows Update service. Follow the steps below to disable and resume automatic updates:

Step 1: Open Task Manager

• Right-click on the taskbar and select "Task Manager".
• Click on the "Services" tab.

Step 2: Open Windows Services

• In the Task Manager window, click on "Open Services" at the bottom.
• Scroll down to find the service called "Windows Update" and double-click on it to open the properties.

Step 3: Disable the Windows Update Service

• Under "Startup type", select "Disabled".
• Click on "Apply" and then "OK" to save the changes.
• This will pause the updates indefinitely.

Step 4: Resume the Windows Update Service

• To resume the update process, open the Windows Update service properties again.
• Change the "Startup type" back to either "Manual", "Automatic", or "Delayed Start" depending on your preference.
• Click on "Apply" and then "OK".
• This will resume regular Windows updates.

Method 2: Disabling Automatic Updates Using the Registry Editor

Disabling automatic updates can also be achieved through the Registry Editor. Here's how:

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor

• Open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows key + R on your keyboard.
• Type "regedit" and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.

Step 2: Navigate to the Windows Update Key

• In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows.

Step 3: Create the "Au" Key

• Right-click on the Windows folder, select "New", and then "Key".
• Name the new key "WindowsUpdate".

Step 4: Create the "NoAutoUpdate" Value

• Right-click on the "WindowsUpdate" key, select "New", and then "Key".
• Name the new key "Au".
• Select the "Au" key and, on the right side, right-click and select "New".
• Choose "DWORD (32-bit) Value" from the options.
• Name the DWORD value "NoAutoUpdate".
• Double-click on the "NoAutoUpdate" value and set the value data to 1.

Step 5: Restart your Computer

• Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
• Upon restarting, automatic Windows update will be disabled.

Step 6: Re-enable Automatic Updates (if needed)

• To re-enable automatic updates in the future, return to the Registry Editor.
• Delete the "NoAutoUpdate" value that you created.
• Restart your computer to resume regular Windows updates.

Method 3: Disabling Automatic Updates Using Group Policy Settings

If you have the Windows 10 Pro Edition, you can use group policy settings to disable automatic updates. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Group Policy Editor

• Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
• Type "gpedit.msc" and press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.

Step 2: Navigate to the Windows Update Settings

• In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to "Computer Configuration" > "Administrative Templates" > "Windows Components".

Step 3: Disable Automatic Updates

• Scroll down and find "Windows Update" - it's located near the bottom of the list.
• Double-click on "Configure Automatic Updates".

Step 4: Disable Automatic Restart

• Search for "No Auto restart with logged-on users for scheduled automatic update installations".
• Double-click on the policy and select "Enabled".

Step 5: Restart your Computer

• Close the Group Policy Editor and restart your computer.
• Windows will no longer automatically download and install updates.

Step 6: Re-enable Automatic Updates (if needed)

• To re-enable automatic updates, follow the steps again and select "Not Configured" in the "Configure Automatic Updates" policy.
• Restart your computer to resume regular Windows updates.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we explored different methods to permanently disable automatic updates in Windows 10. Whether you choose to change the settings from Windows services, use the Registry Editor, or configure group policy settings, it's important to consider the security implications and regularly check for updates manually. Disabling automatic updates can give you more control over your system but may leave your computer vulnerable to security threats.

Pros and Cons of Disabling Automatic Updates

Pros of disabling automatic updates:

• Allows you to retain a specific version of Windows.
• Avoids unexpected changes in the system.
• Saves internet bandwidth for users with limited data.

Cons of disabling automatic updates:

• Increases the risk of security threats.
• May lead to compatibility issues with new applications or software.
• Manual update management can be time-consuming.

FAQ

Q: Can I temporarily disable automatic updates in Windows 10? A: Yes, Windows 10 provides options to temporarily pause automatic updates for up to 35 days through the advanced settings. However, the methods discussed in this tutorial focus on permanently disabling automatic updates.

Q: Can I trust third-party software claiming to disable automatic updates? A: It is recommended to avoid relying on third-party software to disable automatic updates, as they may have unintended consequences or security risks. It is best to use the built-in Windows settings or methods discussed in this tutorial.

Q: How often should I manually check for updates if I disable automatic updates? A: It is advisable to check for updates at least once a week to ensure your system stays up to date with the latest security patches and bug fixes. Manually checking for updates allows you to have more control over the update process.

Q: What happens if I don't install Windows updates? A: Not installing Windows updates can leave your computer vulnerable to security threats, as updates often include critical security patches. It is important to regularly install updates to maintain the security and stability of your system.