How To Stop Windows Update Download

On Windows 10, cumulative updates download and install automatically equally before long as they become available. Although this arroyo allows laptops and desktop computers to receive security updates to patch vulnerabilities, improve performance, and bring enhancements without user interaction, it is a very controversial characteristic.

Usually, it's considering updates comprise bugs that can negatively affect the experience in many ways. For example, they could suspension existing features, introduce driver and awarding compatibility problems, or crusade the Bluish Screen of Death (BSoD), and they require a arrangement restart to consummate the installation that can disrupt your workflow.

If yous feel more than problems than benefits during updates, or if yous accept a adept reason to apply a device without updates, depending on your edition of Windows 10, you can disable automatic updates using the Settings app or permanently with the Group Policy and Registry.

In this Windows 10 guide, we will walk you through the steps to prevent Windows Update from automatically downloading and installing updates on your estimator.

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

How to disable automatic updates using Settings

If yous have to forestall the organisation from downloading a specific update, you practice not need to disable Windows Update permanently. Instead, you should just pause Windows Update until the next Patch Tuesday arrives. The Settings app includes an option to finish updates for upwardly to 35 days on Windows x.

To disable automatic updates temporarily, utilize these steps:

Open up Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Windows Update.
Click the Avant-garde options push.

Source: Windows Fundamental
Under the "Suspension until" section, apply the drop-down menu and select how long to stop updates.

Source: Windows Primal

Once you complete the steps, Windows Update will no longer download for the time you lot specified. When the organization reaches the pause limit, you volition need to install the latest patch bachelor to brand the choice bachelor over again.

You can always undo the changes with the instructions outlined above, but on step 5, choose the Select date choice. Alternatively, you can accomplish the aforementioned effect by clicking the Resume updates button.

How to disable automatic updates using Grouping Policy

On Windows 10 Pro, the Local Group Policy Editor includes policies to permanently disable automated updates or modify the update settings to choose when patches should exist installed on the device.

Disable Windows x updates

To disable automatic updates on Windows 10 permanently, use these steps:

Open Start.
Search for gpedit.msc and click the meridian consequence to launch the Local Group Policy Editor.
Navigate to the following path:

Reckoner Configuration > Authoritative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update
Double-click the Configure Automatic Updates policy on the right side.

Source: Windows Central
Check the Disabled option to turn off automated Windows 10 updates permanently.

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

Afterward y'all consummate the steps, Windows 10 volition terminate downloading updates automatically. However, the ability to bank check for updates manually will continue to be bachelor on Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and clicking the Check for updates push to download the most recent patches every bit needed.

If you want to enable automatic updates on the figurer once again, you tin can use the exact instructions outlined above, but on stride 5, make sure to select the Not Configured selection.

Limit Windows x updates

The Local Group Policy Editor too lets you cull how to disable automatic updates.

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

Open Kickoff.
Search for gpedit.msc and select the peak result to launch the experience.
Navigate to the following path:

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

Source: Windows Fundamental
Check the Enable pick to turn on the policy.
Under the "Options" section, select the option to prevent updates from downloading automatically on Windows ten:
- 2 — Notify for download and auto install.
- three — Auto download and notify for install.
- 4 — Motorcar download and schedule the install.
- 5 — Permit local admin to choose setting.
- vii — Motorcar Download, Notify to install, Notify to Restart.
Quick tip: The best option to disable automatic updates is the 2 — Notify for download and auto install selection, but you tin can make a dissimilar choice. If you choose pick 2, updates won't download automatically. Instead, you will now see an "Install now" button to manually trigger an update on the Windows Update settings page.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Employ push.
Click the OK button.

One time you complete the steps, automated updates will be permanently disabled on Windows 10. However, when new updates become available, you will be able to install them manually from the Windows Update settings folio.

How to disable automatic updates with Registry

You can also use the Registry in two different ways to disable automatic updates on Windows 10.

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that editing the Registry is risky and can cause irreversible damage to your installation if you don't practice it correctly. Before proceeding, it'south recommended to make a total fill-in of your PC.

Disable updates

To disable Windows x updates permanently changing the Registry settings, employ these steps:

Open up Start.
Search for regedit and click the summit result to launch 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 cull the Cardinal option.

Source: Windows Central
Name the new cardinal WindowsUpdate and press Enter.
Right-click the newly created cardinal, select the New submenu, and choose the Cardinal pick.

Source: Windows Central
Name the new fundamental AU and press Enter.
Right-click the AU central, select the New submenu, and choose the DWORD (32-bit) Value option.

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

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

After you lot complete the steps, automatic updates will exist disabled permanently on the device. Nevertheless, y'all will still be able to download updates by clicking the Check for updates button on the Windows Update settings page.

If you lot want to disengage the changes, you can utilise the same instructions outlined to a higher place, only on step 4, correct-click the WindowsUpdate key, select the Delete choice, and then reboot the calculator to utilise the settings.

Limit updates

Finally, you can use the Registry to configure the arrangement settings to determine how to get updates on Windows 10.

To use the Registry to cease automatic updates, merely decide how to receive updates, use these steps:

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
Correct-click the Windows (folder) key, select the New submenu, and choose the Key option.

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

Source: Windows Key
Name the new key AU and press Enter.
Right-click the AU primal, select the New submenu, and select the DWORD (32-bit) Value selection.

Source: Windows Central
Name the new primal AUOptions and press Enter.
Double-click the newly created central and change the value (number only) to:
- ii — Notify for download and auto install.
- 3 — Auto download and notify for install.
- 4 — Automobile download and schedule the install.
- five — Allow local admin to cull settings.
- 7 — Car 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 push.
Restart the computer.

Once y'all consummate the steps, cumulative updates will no longer download and install automatically. However, when a new update becomes bachelor, you lot volition find the pick to install it manually from the Windows Update settings.

You lot tin use the aforementioned instructions outlined in a higher place to restore the original settings, but on pace 4, right-click the WindowsUpdate primal, select the Delete option, and reboot the computer.

Updates are essential to set security vulnerabilities, resolve issues, and ameliorate the overall experience, no matter the version of Windows you use. Nonetheless, you may however need to disable this feature in some situations. For instance, when you want to have complete command over updates on Windows ten, when you want to avoid issues since bugs are common in most releases, or when you are using a critical app or equipment, and you do not desire to encounter any compatibility issues.

More Windows resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows x and Windows 11, visit the post-obit resource:

Windows 11 on Windows Central — All y'all demand to know
Windows eleven help, tips, and tricks
Windows 10 on Windows Fundamental — All you demand to know

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