How to stop automatic updates on Windows 10

The Windows 10 operating system has been built in such a way that whenever a new update is added, it will automatically download into your computer system without letting you know as per default settings. When you will turn off your computer system it will install the updates automatically without your permission. This is very frustrating for many Windows 10 users.

Well there's no direct option or method to disable or stop downloading and installing Windows 10 updates automatically. But, you can disabled or stop the updates by changing some settings and control the download and installation according to your needs. So, here is what you need to do to disable or stop automatic downloading and installing of Windows 10 updates.

1. Meter Your Network Connection
2. Disable Windows Update Service
3. Hide or disable Windows 10 updates selectively
4. Change Group Policy Editor
5. Using Windows Registry
6. Change Device Installation Settings

Meter Your Network Connection

If you use Wi-Fi to access the Internet, there is a simple option in Wi-Fi settings, which if enabled, stops your Windows 10 operating system from downloading automatic updates . If you have a limited data plan and want more control over data usage, make this connection a metered network. In a metered connection, bandwidth is conserved by only automatically downloading and installing priority updates .

1. Click the Start button at the bottom left on your desktop, then click the "Settings" app.

1. Click "Network & Internet".

1. Click WiFi in the left pane.

1. Click the Manage known network link under your existing connection.

1. Choose the network you're currently using from the list of available ones.

1. Click Properties.

1. Click to turn on Set as metered connection.

Disable Windows Update Service

Windows Update is essentially just another Windows Service and can be turned off in a similar manner to other services.

1. Press the Windows logo key + R at the same time to invoke the Run box.

1. Type services.msc and press Enter.

1. Once the Services window opens, scroll down to Windows Update, then select the Stop icon to stop the service.

1. Then, right-click Windows Update and select Properties.

1. In the Properties window, select the Startup type dropdown menu, then select Disabled. Select Apply, then select OK.

1. Restart your machine.

If you want to re-enable automatic updates later, you just follow the same procedure except you select "Automatic" when choosing the "Startup Type".

Hide or disable Windows 10 updates selectively

Microsoft has also released a tool that can be used to hide or disable Windows 10 updates selectively. Drivers are installed automatically so that you don't have to select which updates are needed. In rare cases, a specific driver might temporarily cause issues that affect your device. In this situation, you can prevent the problematic driver from reinstalling automatically the next time Windows Updates are installed. 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 .

Change Group Policy Editor

The Group Policy feature is not available in the Home edition. So, only when you run Windows 10 Professional, Enterprise, or Education, you can use the Local Group Policy editor to disable automatic updates permanently, or you can change the Windows Update settings to decide when updates should install.

1. Press the Windows logo key + R at the same time to invoke the Run box.

1. Type gpedit.msc and click OK.

1. Go to "Computer Configuration" > "Administrative Templates" > "Windows Components" > "Windows Update".

1. Double-click "Configure Automatic Updates".

1. Select "Disabled" option to turn off the policy.

1. Click Apply and "OK" to disable the Windows automatic update feature.

1. Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 will stop downloading updates automatically.

Using Windows Registry

The Windows Registry is used to store much of the information and settings for software programs, hardware devices, user preferences, operating system configurations, and many more. Editing Windows registry is risky, and it can cause irreversible damage to your installation if you don't do it properly. It's recommended that you make a full backup of your computer system before proceeding.

1. Press the Windows logo key + R at the same time to invoke the Run box.

1. Type regedit and click OK.

1. You get Windows Registry window and the browse the following path:

1. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

1. Right click the Windows (folder) key, select New, and click on Key. Name the new key WindowsUpdate (no space between Windows and Update).

1. Right click the WindowsUpdate key, select New and then Key. Set the new key’s name as AU.

1. Click on the AU key, and right click on the empty space at the right-hand pane. Select New, and click on DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name the new DWORD NoAutoUpdate.

1. Double click on NoAutoUpdate and set its value data as 1. Click "OK" to apply the change.

1. You can set two numbers here: 0 – to enable automatic updates, 1 – to turn off automatic updates.

1. Close Registry Editor and restart your computer.

Change Device Installation Settings to stop Windows 10 update

By default, Windows automatically downloads driver software and their detailed info for your devices, if you don't want to automatically update your device drivers in your computer, you can try these steps:

1. Type control panel in the search box, and click Control Panel.

Control Panel > System > Advanced system settings.

1. Click the Hardware tab, then click Device Installation Settings.

1. Select No (your device might not work as expected) and click Save changes.

1. Click OK to finish the settings. Then your device drivers will not automatically download from the manufacturers.