How to Disable Automatic Updates in Windows 10

Windows updates provides security patches, service packs and other updates for both Windows and other Microsoft software.

The Security updates or critical updates mitigate vulnerabilities against security exploits.  

Definition updates for the Microsoft antivirus products are provided through the service as well.

Microsoft routinely releases updates on the second Tuesday of each month (known as the Patch Tuesday), but can provide them whenever a new update is urgently required to prevent a newly discovered or prevalent exploit.

Keep your operating system and software up-to-date with the latest patches. Vulnerable applications and operating systems are the target of most attacks. Ensuring these are patched with the latest updates greatly reduces the number of exploitable entry points available to an attacker.

While they are good and will ensure your computer runs optimally, they may become a problem. Windows Update has been known to introduce bugs, breaking programs and features that were working just fine beforehand.

This tutorial will show you how to disable or prevent automatic updates in Windows 10.




How to Disable Automatic Updates using Group Policy

The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

This option only work in the Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise editions.


1. Type Gpedit.msc into Start Menu to open the Local Group Policy Editor.

2.  In the left pane of Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to the below location.

Code:

Computer Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> Windows Components --> Windows Update


3. In the right pane in Local Group Policy Editor, double click on the Configure Windows Updates policy to edit it.

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4. By default Not Configured option is selected which enables automatic updates, select Enabled at the top to configure automatic updates settings.

5. Select Notify for download and notify for install in the "Configure automatic updating" drop down menu under the Options section, click on Apply and OK buttons.

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6. When finished, close the Local Group Policy Editor.

7. Open the Command Prompt by typing cmd.exe into Start Menu, right-click on Cmd.exe, and open it as an administrator.

8. From the Command Prompt type Gpupdate /Force command and press Enter Key.

9. Click on the Check for updates button in Windows Update to apply changes.

If the Windows Update still works restart your computer and check for Windows updates again.





How to Disable Automatic Updates using Metered Network Connection

Windows will automatically download and install updates, except on metered connections. In that case, Windows will automatically download only those updates required to keep Windows running smoothly.

1. Open Settings, click on the Network & Internet icon.

2. Click on Wi-Fi in the left pane, click on the connected wireless network name.

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3. Turn on to Set as metered connection for this Wi-Fi network.

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You can follow the above instructions for setting the Ethernet connection as a metered connection in Settings.







How to Disable Automatic Updates by Disabling Windows Update service

1. Open Services manager by typing Services.msc into Start Menu and press Enter key.

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2. Found and double click Windows Update service name.

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3. Click on the Stop button, wait until the service status shows as stopped.

4. Change the "Startup type" to Disabled.

5. Click Apply and OK buttons and close the Services manager.

This should disable the automatic updates for Windows 10.




If you are running Windows 10 Creators Update (1703), you can delay security updates for up to 30 days. Likewise, you can defer feature updates to 365 days.

How to Defer or Delay Updates in Windows 10




When all else fails Microsoft’s wushowhide utility works great. The trick is that you can’t hide the update until it actually appears on your machine and it may not get pushed to you for days, weeks, or even months.

If the update you don't want to install is being offered on your machine, wushowhide lets you “hide” the update while you use Windows Update to get your other updates for Windows 10.

Go to KB 3073930 and download Microsoft's Wushowhide tool.