Stop Windows Update service

This post explains how to stop Windows update service from command line(CMD). Make sure that you open elevated administrator command prompt to execute this command.

How to stop Windows update service

Do the following

1. Open elevated command prompt
2. Run the below command.

Update service restarts automatically

It’s observed that just stopping the service does not work in some cases and it restarts automatically. In such cases one can disable the service completely by running below command.

Note that these commands to stop or disable service should be run from elevated administrator command prompt. Other wise you will get the following error.

How to start windows update

Neat tip. However, it seems W7 is automatically restarting the Windows Update service every now and then. I’ve changed status to “Manual” under services.msc but the behavior remains. No fun at all.

Hi Carl
FYI everytime you go into windows update it will start the service even though it is set to manual so if you need to look in windows update then stop the service again afterwards.

Run CMD as Admin and “sc config wuauserv start= disabled” will work on Win7Ulti

Please help me to stop the windows update, it is a disaster every time after windows update, totally stupid program, may be next time I should go for apple.

you gott the error because you have’nt run cmd as administrator

Apple is more stupid than the windows.

I cannot get windows update to stop, finish, or go away! How do I get this to stop so I can get back on the computer? It’s a brand new computer, and useless at this point!

Set to disabled and reboot!

Wow thank you for putting this line up here. I needed to restart my windows update and this did the trick

Yes – agreed thanks much appreciated! On a very slow connection so bandwidth is at a premium. This made things much more pleasant.

#Persistent
interval = 600 ; execution interval in seconds
Menu, Tray, Add ; divider line
Menu, Tray, Add, Execute Now, StopService
Menu, Tray, Default, Execute Now
timer_param := -1000 * interval

StopService:
Run %comspec% /c “sc query wuauserv | find “1 STOPPED” & if errorlevel 1 sc stop wuauserv”, , Hide
time = %A_Now%
time += %interval%, seconds
FormatTime, time_string, %time%, Time
Menu, Tray, Tip, Stop Windows Update Service`nNext Execution at %time_string%
SetTimer, StopService, %timer_param%
return

Hi! even thou i star cmd as admin i still get the “error 5 access denied. can someone help me?

go to start menu —> type “cmd” in the search box, wait till cmd shows in the results list, right click on “cmd” and select “run as administrator”

You need to run it from elevated command prompt.

otherwise, check your UAC and if it’s off, turn it on in your account settings.

This information is for those who wish to completely disable Windows 10 automatic updates. It is very simple and requires no real expertise.

1. Bring up your task manager.
2. Select the “Services” tab.
3. Scroll down the lefthand side until you see “wuauserv”. (In the description column to the right, you’ll see “Windows Update”.)
4. Right click on “wuauserv”.
5. In the dropdown box that appears, click on “stop”.

This stops all automatic updates from taking over your computer. In order to get future updates, you will have to follow the same steps, but click on “start” to restart it. I prefer simply to go to Microsoft’s website to find the updates, if I want them at all, which I don’t. I’ve struggled with Microsoft’s updates for years, from Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and now Windows 10. All of them have rendered my computer(s) less functional than they were prior to the updates.

I use a separate security program in conjunction with Windows firewall and find that there is absolutely no need to upload their security updates.

hi, I am having endless problems with my surface pro3, running win10pro. the overwhelming majority of my time spent on this device is occupied by trying to update and keep in functioning without sending me endless notifications. I am an aspiring Linux user, which so far as I can tell, is superior in every way, however, I am concerned if the security is dependable…? I was wondering what the security program is that you referenced? and would be eager to hear any other suggestions/tips/opinions?

I tried this and got a message that access is denied.

Same problem on my PC. Svchost.exe takes continuously almost 100% processor time.
Stopped wuauserv in the way described above and the processor is free. However after a restart it is running again. Same after stopping it via the command: net stop wuauserv.
Anybody knows how I can stop this wuauserv forever.

You need to disable the service using sc command. Added these commands in the post.

Hi all, a tip for all of those having issues with Windows update, if you go to services.msc and stop the service in the second tab you can select a user to run the service with afterwards.
So you only need to put a valid user and then change the password of that user and voila! it wont ever be able to run again since it will be trying to run with an invalid user… 🙂

I wind up stopping and disabling this service every day or two, yet somehow Windows keeps turning it back to Automatic and running it! (on an older laptop which has to stay at XP)

Just want to say Thank YOU! I got nearly crazy (even more than normal) because my laptop was making so much noise while windows was checking updates for hours. Tried to close it through task manager to no avail but this tip worked as a charm.
I had no problems at all that was until windows installed updates and I could not get into windows anymore. Thanks no thanks. So now I am going to try to see if I can download the updates one by one or so. Thanks again. Love the sound of silence

Surely it would be much easier to use computer management services scroll down to windows update and apply the above directly with the advantage that you can see what you are actually doing.

Thanks for the tip. CPU had been running crazy trying to keep up with the update service. The CPU temp has dropped from 43 degrees Celcius to 35 degrees.

Omg! Thanks you! I was stuck in windows update hell!

Thanks for the info. I made a .bat file to stop, and one to start with this info. Just run as administrator and it works 🙂

I hope the above stop up dates work as my computer is all bet useless

from cmd run
sc queryex wuauserv
take pidnum from result and replace xxx in
taskkill /PID xxx/F and run

This is a good short term (few days) fix but on Windows 10 home edition, update restarts itself after a few days. There is a regedit out there but it doesn’t work for Home edition. The WUSH tool also only works for a few days.

Would be great if there were a way to program this “sc config wuauserv start= disabled” command to re-run itself every 2 days. Does anyone know how to do this?

Just put the command in a batch file, then schedule a task launching it with highest priviledge “when the computer starts”. (^v^)

i am running cmd as administrator but also the following cmd net stop wuauserv is saying invalid what to do then

Erm… I disabled the command using the command prompt (admin), but the file Windows10Upgrade keeps appearing. Help me please!

I can’t stop windows 10 update using service stopping, when I connect to wifi ,service is auto enable how can I stop permanently

Is there any command just to show the windows update is on or off ?

How can I disable windows updates for all the computers on the network?

Unfortunately, Windows 10 Home does not allow users to turn off automatic updates. To do that, you would have to upgrade to the Pro version. Otherwise, you’re looking at a lot of punishing hours spent rolling back updates you didn’t want… I had this issue with an error related to a registry conflict that prioritizes RuntimeBroker and found that this was the case during my research into the cause for the ongoing rollbacks.

I have no access to stop and disable the services. Can anyone tell me what to do in this case?

Hello, I am searching across the internet to find a solution to fix the svchost.exe disk usage, and almost every one of them suggests to disable or turn manual the Windows Update Service. I already did that, but the svchost.exe thing keeps consuming my disk.

If you know how to fix this, please tell me.

Can always services >Windows update
right click, properties, Revoery, and change to no action for all 3… see if that may help.

Thanks, had to get around an invasive group policy to repair bitlocker bde protectors, this was the trick I needed to disable updates so my bitlocker tables could be repaired.
Brent, New Zealand

How to stop automatic updates on Windows 10

Source: Windows Central

On Windows 10, when new quality updates (also referred as cumulative updates) become available, they download and install automatically on your computer. Although the automatic approach ensures that every device receives security updates to patch vulnerabilities and performance as well as stability enhancements, it’s one of the most controversial features.

Typically, the biggest reason is that updates are known to contain bugs that can negatively affect the experience, and they require a restart to complete the installation that can disrrupt the current workflow.

If you’re always noticing problems as a direct result of updates, or you have a good reason to use a device unpatched, depending on your edition of Windows 10, you can stop automatic updates using the Windows Updates settings or permanently using Group Policy or Registry.

In this Windows 10 guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to block Windows Update from downloading and installing updates on your device automatically.

How to disable automatic updates using Settings

Usually, it’s not necessary to disable the Windows Update settings permanently. If you want to skip an update, you can pause updates until the day you want to apply them. Using the Settings app, you can stop system updates for up to 35 days on Windows 10 Pro or Home.

To disable automatic updates temporarily, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Windows Update.

Click the Advanced options button.

Source: Windows Central

Under the «Pause updates» sections, use the drop-down menu and select how long to disable updates.

Source: Windows Central

Once you complete the steps, updates for Windows 10 will be completely disabled until the day you specified. When the device reaches the pause limit, you must install the latest updates available for the option to be available again.

You can always undo the changes with the same instructions outlined above, but on step No. 5, choose the Select date option. Another way to perform the same task is to click the Resume updates button on the Windows Update page.

In the past, the «Advanced options» page also included options to defer security and feature updates, but these options are no longer available with the latest version of Windows 10.

How to disable automatic updates using Group Policy

On Windows 10 Pro, the Local Group Policy Editor allows you to disable automatic updates permanently, or you can change the Windows Update policies to decide when updates should install on the device.

Disable updates

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

1. Open Start.
2. Search for gpedit.msc and click the top result to launch the Local Group Policy Editor.

Navigate to the following path:

Computer Configuration > Administrative 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 the policy and disable automatic updates permanently.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Apply button.

Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, Windows 10 will stop downloading updates automatically on the device. However, the ability to check for updates manually will continue to be available in Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. While on the page, you need to click the Check for updates button to download and install the most recent patches.

If you want to re-enable automatic updates on the device, you can use the same instructions outlined above, but on step No. 5, make sure to select the Not Configured option.

Limit updates

Alternatively, you can customize the policy to decide how you want to disable automatic updates using the Local Group Policy Editor.

To manage Windows Update automatic downloads with Group Policy, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for gpedit.msc and select the top result to launch the experience.

Navigate to the following path:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update

Double-click the Configure Automatic Updates policy on the right side.

Source: Windows Central

Check the Enable option to turn on the policy.

Source: Windows Central

Under the «Options» section, select the best settings to prevent updates from downloading and installing automatically on Windows 10:

• 2 — Notify for download and auto install.
• 3 — Auto download and notify for install.
• 4 — Auto download and schedule the install.
• 5 — Allow local admin to choose setting.
• 7 — Auto Download, Notify to install, Notify to Restart.

Quick tip: The closest option to disable automatic updates is the 2 — Notify for download and auto install option, but you can select any other option that best fits your situation. If you choose option number 2, updates won’t download or install automatically. Instead, in the Windows Update settings page, you’ll now see an «Install now» button that you need to click manually to get the improvements.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Apply button.

Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, automatic updates will be permanently disabled on Windows 10. However, when a new patch becomes available for the system, you’ll be able to install it manually from the Windows Update settings page.

How to disable automatic updates using Registry

On Windows 10 Pro, you can also disable automatic updates using the Registry in at least two different ways.

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that editing the Registry is risky and can cause irreversible damage to your installation if you don’t do it correctly. It’s recommended to make a full backup of your PC before proceeding.

Disable updates

To disable Windows 10 update permanently modifying the Registry, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for regedit and click the top result to launch the Registry Editor.

Navigate to the following path:

Right-click the Windows (folder) key, select the New submenu, and then choose the Key option.

Source: Windows Central

Right-click the newly created key, select the New submenu, and choose the Key option.

Source: Windows Central

Right-click the AU key, select the New submenu, and choose the DWORD (32-bit) Value option.

Source: Windows Central

Double-click the newly created key and change its value from 0 to 1.

Source: Windows Central

Click the OK button.

Restart your computer.

After you complete the steps, Windows Update will no longer install monthly updates automatically on Windows 10. However, similar to using the Local Group Policy Editor, you’ll still be able to download and install updates as needed by clicking the Check for updates button in the Windows Update settings.

Limit updates

It’s also possible to use the Registry to configure how updates are delivered for Windows 10 to prevent automatic installs.

To customize Windows Update settings to block updates with the Registry, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry Editor.

Navigate to the following path:

Right-click the Windows (folder) key, select the New submenu, and choose the Key option.

Source: Windows Central

Right-click the newly created key, select the New submenu, and choose the Key option.

Source: Windows Central

Right-click the AU key, select the New submenu, and select the DWORD (32-bit) Value option.

Source: Windows Central

Double-click the newly created key and change its value (number only) to:

• 2 — Notify for download and auto install.
• 3 — Auto download and notify for install.
• 4 — Auto download and schedule the install.
• 5 — Allow local admin to choose settings.
• 7 — Auto Download, Notify to install, Notify to Restart.

These options work identically to the Group Policy settings, and number 2 is the closest option to disable Windows Update on Windows 10 permanently on your computer.

Source: Windows Central

Click the OK button.

Restart your computer.

Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 will stop installing updates automatically. However, you’ll receive notifications when new updates are available, allowing you to install them manually.

You can always use the same instructions to restore the original settings, but on step No. 4, right-click the WindowsUpdate key, select the Delete option then reboot the device to complete applying the settings.

On Windows 10, like in any other platform, updates are essential to improve the experience, and they’re critical to keeping your computer and data safe against malicious attacks and malware.

Typically, it’s never a good idea to continue using a device without the latest patches, but there are some situations when disabling updates might be appropriate. For instance, if you want to have complete control when applying updates. You want to minimize the chances of running into problems due to bugs with cumulative updates. Or you’re working with critical software and equipment that may stop working if updates are installed.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

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