How to Disable or Block automatic Windows Update in Windows 10

There is no option to stop or turn off Windows Updates using the Control Panel or Settings app in Windows 10, as it used to be with earlier versions of Windows. But there is a workaround to disable or turn off Windows Update in Windows 10, that we’ll talk about in this post.

First, let us take a look at why people may want to turn off Windows updates.

With Windows 8.1 and earlier versions, we had Windows Update giving us options to:

1. Install updates automatically (Recommended)
2. Download Updates but choose when to install them
3. Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them
4. Never check for updates (Not Recommended)

These options provided a way to defer updates until we had enough time to download and install them or to have them downloaded automatically and then install them at a time we wish. These options are not present in Windows 10 Update & Security Settings.

Now in Settings app > Update and Security > Windows Update > Advanced Options, you will see the following settings:

Microsoft has explained that it will provide updates in two distinct methods for its two distinct types of clients.

The Home users now have the option to pause Windows Updates. Earlier they did not have this option. Windows 10 will also let you defer restart, but that is not enough because a download in the background might slow down your browsing in some cases.

The other ring of users are Enterprise users who will have the option to delay updates so that they can hold it to the time when they are free. Microsoft said it would push updates to such users less frequently so that they are faced with minimum downtime. These are the corporates and real-time users such as hospitals and ATMs etc.

Coming back to Home users and Professional users, there is not even the option to delay the updates. They will be downloaded as soon as they are available. The availability of Windows Updates for normal users means that the updates have already been tested by Windows Insiders. If you are a Windows Insider, running Windows 10 Home or Pro, you will be in priority to receive updates. After a few days of you testing the updates and if it doesn’t pose any problems, it will be released to the normal ring of users.

Thus, you are stuck. Windows 10 will keep on downloading updates as soon as they are available and will occupy your computer resources, when you may not want it too. Some of us will want to keep the automatic downloads to be stopped so that we can install the updates manually when free – when we are not working on something urgent. That is to say; some users would want the liberty and option to download and install updates when they want and not when Microsoft provides it.

Since there is no option to turn off Windows updates from Control Panel or PC Settings, here is a workaround.

Turn off Windows Updates in Windows 10

To stop automatic Windows Updates in Windows 10, you will have to:

1. Disable Windows Update & Windows Update Medic Services
2. Change WU settings using the Group Policy Editor
3. Set your network connection to ‘Metered’
4. Use a free tool that lets you disable automatic updates.

Now let us see each of these suggestions in detail.

1] Disable Windows Update & Windows Update Medic Services

You can disable the Windows Update Service via Windows Services Manager. In the Services window, scroll down to Windows Update and turn off the Service. To turn it off, right-click on the process, click on Properties and select Disabled. That will take care of Windows Updates not being installed on your machine.

But since Windows is a Service now onwards, you have to keep your computer updated. To be able to install the next set of features or a newer build, you will require the earlier updates to be installed. That’s why if you use the above workaround, you will have to go to the Windows Services Manager and turn it on once in a while to download and update your copy of Windows.

You need to also disable the Windows Update Medic Service or WaaSMedicSVC. The Windows Update Medic Service is a new Windows Service introduced in recent versions of Windows 10. This Service has been introduced to repair Windows Update components from damage so that the computer can continue to receive updates. We recommend you try this method first.

After you turn on the Windows Update Service, when you open Windows Update in PC Settings, you will see a message that updates were not installed because the computer was stopped. You will have to click on Retry so that all the available updates are downloaded and installed. This may take two or three “Check for Updates” tries. You will have to keep on clicking “Check for updates” until it says your computer is up to date. Then you can go back and turn off the Windows Update service until next time you feel you are free enough to spend time updating your copy of Windows 10.

2] Change WU settings using the Group Policy Editor

If your version of Windows 10 has Group Policy, you can also change some settings using the Group Policy Editor. Run gpedit and navigate to the following policy setting:

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

On the right side, double-click on Configure Automatic Updates and change its settings to suit your requirements.

Once you configure the settings, you will see the result in the Settings app as follows:

We do not recommend that you disable automatic Windows Update in Windows 10. If your computer is fine with downloads in the background and doesn’t affect your work, it is not advisable to do it. But if you face slowdown of computer due to updates downloading and installing in the background, the above tip to turn off Windows updates in Windows 10 will be of some help.

3] Set your network connection to ‘Metered’

Setting your network connection to ‘Metered’, can also stop Windows 10 from automatically downloading the Updates. You can do it as follows – Settings app > Network & Internet > WiFi > Advanced options. Move the slider to On position for Set as metered connection. See how to set Metered Connection in Windows 10.

4] Tools that help you block automatic Windows 10 Updates

Here is a list of some free Windows Update Blocker tools to Stop Automatic Windows 10 Updates. You might want to take a look at them as they allow you to control Widows 10 Updates with a click.

1. Windows Update Blocker
2. StopUpdates10
3. Wu10Man
4. Kill-Update
5. WuMgr
6. Win Update Stop
7. Win Updates Disabler
8. WAU Manager.

Incidentally, Microsoft has released a tool called Show or Hide Updates that allows users to hide or block specific unwanted Windows Updates in Windows 10. Using it, you can stop Windows 10 from downloading specific updates.

Date: November 4, 2019 Tags: Windows Updates

Here is How to Turn Off Win­dows 10 Updates

Prayank

26 May 2017

Turning off Windows updates in earlier versions like Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 was easier as there was an option available within the settings of the PC which allowed users to defer the download and installation of the update until resumed manually.

But Microsoft got rid of this feature from the Update and Security settings in Windows 10.

While Windows updates are of paramount importance as not only do they bring about bug fixes for older versions but also update the built-in security software for Windows — which helps in averting malware attacks.

These updates become irritating when they slow down your PC, especially when you’re working.

Although the creators of Windows have gotten rid of a direct option to defer the Windows updates, there is still a work around this problem.

How to Turn Off Windows 10 Updates?

Not to worry, the workaround doesn’t require any additional software download or use of complicated command prompts too.

The workaround presents itself as a loophole in the settings of Windows 10, which doesn’t download any updates on a metered connection.

Normally, for users not on the Enterprise edition of Windows, all updates are downloaded and installed automatically, but if you set your active internet connection as a metered one, then the updates won’t download.

To set your active network as a metered connection, go to Windows Settings and click on ‘Network & Internet’.

On the next window, click on ‘Wi-Fi’ option on the side panel and select ‘Manage known networks’.

Now click on ‘Properties’ of your active network connection and toggle the ‘Set as metered connection’ button on under ‘Metered connection’ on the new page.

This will do the trick. Now, until you’re connected to the network marked as metered connection on your PC, Windows will not download any updates or install them.

But remember, it’s important to update your Windows, if not for the new features, do it for security updates lest your PC might also be held hostage by a ransomware.

So whenever you find yourself free, just toggle off the ‘Metered connection’ and switch it on once the update is complete and installed.

Last updated on 5 Jul, 2019
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.

Read Next

How to Disable Windows Update Restart Reminder Notifications

Here’s How to Disable # Windows Update Restart Reminder Notifications and Turn Off Automatic Updates.

How To Bring Back And Super Charge The Start Menu In Windows 8.1

Here’s How To Bring Back And Super Charge The # Start Menu In # Windows 8.1.

A Guide to Disabling Automatic Windows 10 Updates

Automatic # Windows 10 updates can disrupt your work and documents. Here’s a detailed guide on how you can disable automatic updates on # Windows 10.

How to Prevent Windows Nagging You About Windows 10

Are # Windows 10 upgrade notifications nagging you constantly? With a few easy steps, you can get rid of it, for good. Read on to know more.

Keep Windows Defender Updated Even After Disabling Windows 8 Automatic Updates

Here’s how to update Windows Defender in # Windows 8 on a schedule even after you disable the automatic # Windows updates.

8 Best Ways to Fix Windows 10 Ethernet Keeps Disconnecting

Are you having difficulties using the internet because your # Windows 10 PC’s ethernet keeps disconnecting? Here are 8 possible solutions to the issue.

How to Get Command Prompt in Context Menu in Windows 10 Creators Update

Want to get back the # Command Prompt option in the Context Menu in # Windows 10? This simple trick will bring it back in a jiffy. Check it out!

Understanding and Managing Skype App Permissions in Windows 8

Here’s how to manage the permissions of the # Skype app in # Windows 8 and make it work in the background, even accept calls on lock screen.

Did You Know

Windows 10 is the last Windows since Microsoft is changing the approach of building and delivering OS.

How To Turn Off Windows Update In Windows 10

Windows 10 is a service, which means automatic updates are turned on by default and your PC always has the latest and best features. With automatic updating, you don’t have to search for updates online or worry that critical fixes or device drivers for Windows might be missing from your PC. Windows Update automatically installs important updates as they become available. But some users will not want automatic updates as it might take up system and network resources when they are doing critical work.

In Windows 8.1 and before, Microsoft allowed users to turn off auto updates completely. Unfortunately in Windows 10, Microsoft does not offer any option for general consumers to turn off automatic updates. But there is a workaround to turn off automatic updates in Windows 10. Follow the steps below,

1) Search for services.msc in Cortana/Search box and open it.

2) Find Windows Update in the services list.

3) Double click Windows Update services. In the Windows Update Properties Window, select ‘Disabled’ in the Startup type list box.

4) Click Apply and Ok.

From now on Windows 10 Update process itself will not start in your PC which means you will never get new updates from Microsoft. We recommend using this workaround only when you really want to disable Windows 10 automatic updates. If you want to revert back your changes, follow the same steps again, instead of ‘Disabled’, select ‘Automatic’ in the Windows Update Properties window and apply it.

If your PC is connected to a network where updates are managed by Group Policy, you might not be able to make changes to settings related to Windows Update. For more info, contact your organization’s support person. If you are an Admin, you can make configurations related to Windows Update by following the below steps.

1) Open Group Policy Editor by typing “Edit group policy” in Cortana or Search box.

2) In the Group Policy Editor, go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update.

3) Click the Setting you need to change and configure it according to your needs.

Hope this helps!

Some links in the article may not be viewable as you are using an AdBlocker. Please add us to your whitelist to enable the website to function properly.