[Guide] How to Turn Off Updates in Windows 10

What Benefits are there to Turning Off Windows Updates

Windows updates are essential to keep your computer secure and up-to-date. However, turning off Windows updates can provide some benefits.

One advantage of disabling automatic updates is that it can help reduce the amount of bandwidth used by your computer. Automatic Windows updates often consume a significant amount of data when downloading and installing the latest patches, which could cause issues for users with limited data usage plans.

Turning off automatic updates allows you to control when new updates should be installed and conserve more data on those connections where data usage matters most. Another benefit of disabling Windows updates is that it can help prevent software conflicts and system disruption due to incompatible or faulty driver installations from Microsoft’s patching process.

Uninstalling specific Windows updates can help resolve system issues caused by faulty updates, but this is not always possible if the update has already been installed automatically. Disabling automatic Windows updates gives you more control over when and how new software is installed on your computer, which can prevent compatibility problems from arising in the first place.

Windows Updates bring disabled can provide peace of mind for those who want to maintain complete control over their systems. Automatic Windows updates can be disruptive and result in unexpected reboots or other inconvenient or unwanted user changes. Keeping this disruption at bay by disabling automatic updates allows you to take the wheel and ensure that only desired changes are implemented on your computer.

Disable Automatic Updates Temporarily

If you want to configure automatic updates dealing with Windows components, the most straightforward approach is to disable the Windows 10 automatic updates temporarily. This could be done from Windows update settings. In this context, disabling updates temporarily refers to pausing updates. Here is how you can perform the action.

Step 1: Launch the settings menu from the Windows key+ I short keys. In the menu, select the option of update and security.

Step 2: In the update and security window, select the Windows update option from the left pane and double-click to launch the menu.

Step 3: In Windows update, navigate to the option of pause updates for 7 days. Click the option to activate the action. It will automatically pause the updates from downloading.

Disable Windows 10 Updates

Windows 10 automatic updates can be disabled from computer configuration settings via the group policy editor. It carries administrative templates that can serve the purpose of disabling updates. One can also permanently disable automatic updates via this option. Here is how you can use the local group policy editor to perform the quick-fix solution.

Step 1: Launch the group policy editor from the main Windows menu. Type gpedit.msc in the taskbar’s search box and double-click the option to launch the menu.

Step 2: In the group policy editor window, select the option of computer configuration, followed by choosing administrative templates.

Step 3: In the administrative templates option, click Windows components and select Windows updates.

Step 4: In the next step, double-click the option to configure automatic updates.

Step 5: Check the box for the option of disabled. It will disable automatic updates for Windows 10. Click Apply, followed by clicking ok to apply and save changes.

Disable Windows 10 via Registry Editor

Another way to disable Windows 10 automatic updates is with the registry editor. Once disabled, it will restrict the auto-install of new updates on the device. Here are the steps for restricting Windows automatic updates via the registry editor.

Step 1: Launch the Run utility via the Windows key + R shortcut keys, and in the run command box, type regedit. Click ok to continue. It will launch the registry editor menu.

Step 2: In the registry editor window, type the following key in the search box and click enter to continue.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

Step 3: In the next step, click the Windows folder and select the option new from the drop-down menu. In the following context menu, select the key.

Step 4: Rename the new key as AU. Right-click the new key and select new, followed by Dword-32bit from the drop-down menu.

Step 5: Again, right, click the new Dword, and select the rename option. Set the name as NoAutoUpdate. Double-click the new Dword and set its value as 1. Click Ok to complete the action. Restart the device to check if the process is completed.

Disable the Windows Update Service

For targeting to disable automatic Windows updates, one can use the services window to disable the auto-update feature. Once disabled, it will not allow the device to download any new system or feature update automatically. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Launch the Windows services menu from the run utility. Press the Windows key +R shortcut keys to launch run utility and type services.msc in the run command box and click ok to continue.

Step 2: In the services window, navigate to the Windows update option and right-click it to select the properties option from the context menu.

Step 3: In the properties pop-up window, head to the general tab and click it. Under the section of startup type, select the option of disabled. Click Apply, followed by clicking ok to complete the action.

Set Up a Metered Connection

Windows automatic update feature does not work on a metered connection. Hence, setting your device to a metered connection can resolve the issue and disable the Windows 10 update. Here is how you can perform the action.

Step 1: Launch the Windows settings app from the main menu. Type the setting in the taskbar’s search box and double-click the option in the list to launch the menu.

Step 2: Select the network and internet options in the settings menu.

Step 3: Select the wi-fi option from the left pane in the network and internet window.

Step 4: Click the link to manage known networks in the wi-fi menu. Click the network you are using and select properties.

Step 5: In the section of the set as metered connection, toggle the button on. It will set the network as metered.

Clean Your Disk Before Disabling Updates on Windows10

It’s essential to clean your disk before disabling updates on Windows 10 to improve your PC performance. Performing this task can help you free up storage space, as unused files and applications can take up a lot of room on your hard drive. It also helps reduce the number of system errors, which can negatively affect the performance of your computer.

Cleaning up clutter such as temporary internet files, cookies, and other junk files will speed up system processes by reducing the time it takes to run. Furthermore, deleting unnecessary programs or old versions of software that are no longer used will also help free up valuable resources so that your computer runs more efficiently.

Defragmenting your hard drive regularly ensures that data is stored efficiently, and this can help improve system startup times and overall performance.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Turn Off Updates in Windows 10