5 ways to disable Windows 10 Automatic updates

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This was inevitable even though Microsoft tried as hard as possible to avoid it.

Users are getting sick and tired of the automatic updates and the feeling of helplessness they create to the end user.

Now it actually was well intended by Redmond.

They wanted to set up a logical bug testing rhythm and cadence that started at Microsoft and ended up on the consumer’s desk.



Unfortunately customers who don’t have the flexibility of professional or enterprise update delay options are rebelling.

There have been a few high profile cases of Windows updates that went awry and so some options to disable Windows 10 automatic updates have sprung up.

It is what it is.

Here are 5 ways you can disable Windows 10 Updates

#1 Setting up a metered connection

So this is actually a pretty ingenious way of getting Microsoft to leave your PC alone.

In Windows 10, if you’re on Wi-Fi, Microsoft have this option for you to explicitly specify that you’re on a metered connection.

This is just for wi-fi users who are paying for their data usage and wish to conserve their data plans.

To enable the setting, bring up the Start Menu and perform a search for Change Wi-Fi settings.

Open the resulting option and navigate to Advanced Options.

Locate the Set as metered connection toggle and enable it.


windows 10 metered connection

#2 You can stop the Windows Update Service

To do this, open the Run command and then type “services.msc” and press the “Enter” key. The Services list should appear.

From here, you can find the Windows Update service. Open it.

Under the General tab, change “Startup Type” into “Disabled.” and then restart. The Windows Update Service should be disabled at this point.

Here’s an image of the 3 screens. ▼ Click on it for a larger version.


Stop Windows Update

If you want to re-enable it in the future, go through the steps again but this time change “Startup Type” to “Automatic”.

#3 Using the Group Policy Editor

Here are the steps to disable Windows 10 updates via the Group Policy Editor

• Step 1: Press the Windows key to bring up the Start Menu. Type in Group Policy Editor and open the tool from the results.

• Step 2: Navigate to Computer Configuration and expand the Administrative Templates folder.

• Step 3: Within the folder, select All Settings and then locate the Configure Automatic Updates entry in the subsequent screen.

• Step 4: Double-click the entry and enable it by clicking the Enabled radio button at the top-left.

• Step 5: Open the combo-box and select the final option: Allow local admin to choose setting.

▼ Click to see a larger image.


Group Policy Editor

Now that you’ve successfully managed to enable the option to allow advanced control over the updates, you need to access it.

• Open up Control Panel and navigate to the System and Security settings.

• Open Windows Update and select Change settings. There, you’ll be presented with the option to Check for updates, but let me choose whether to download and install them. Set your system to this setting and save it. Now, your system will regularly check for updates and show you a list of available updates; from there you can choose the ones you want to install at your discretion.

#4 Stop Windows 10 Updates entirely



You can also disabling update checking altogether.

• Open up Group Policy Editor, using the method detailed above.

• Navigate to the Configure Automatic Updates setting from the All Settings folder.

• Set the toggle to Disabled.

▼ Click to see a larger image.


Disable Updates Totally

And that’s it.

After this, your computer will no longer even check to see if any updates are available for the system.

Group Policy Editor is only applicable to users on the following SKU’s – Windows 10 Education, Enterprise and Pro.

For users who don’t have group policy access, they can do the following steps.

• Open the Run command and then type “regedit” before pressing “Enter.”

• Navigate to:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\Auto Update\AUOptions

• Create a “32-bit DWORD” value called “AuOptions.” Under “Value Data,” type “2” and then click “OK.”

• Open the Settings app and navigate to: Update and Security, Windows Updates. Click “Check for updates.”

• Restart.

#5 Disable Selective Windows 10 Updates

Microsoft has also released a tool that can be used to hide or disable Windows 10 updates selectively.

All you need to do it, download it from Microsoft’s website, and install it on your computer.

Follow the instructions on the website to disable the problematic update you are having trouble with.

source:windows10update