How to stop automatic updates on Windows 10

Meter Your Network Connection

If you access the Internet through Wi-Fi, there is a straightforward option in Wi-Fi settings that allows you to prevent your Windows 10 operating system from downloading automatic updates. By enabling the "metered network" option for your Wi-Fi connection, you gain more control over data usage, which can be particularly helpful if you have a limited data plan. With a metered connection, the system conserves bandwidth by only automatically downloading and installing priority updates, providing a way to manage data consumption and ensure essential updates are still received while avoiding unnecessary data usage.

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 introduced a tool designed to provide users with the ability to selectively hide or disable Windows 10 updates. In most cases, Windows automatically installs drivers, sparing users the need to manually choose required updates. However, in rare instances, a specific driver may temporarily cause issues on a device. To address such situations, users can prevent the problematic driver from automatically reinstalling during the next Windows Updates installation. The tool can be downloaded from Microsoft's website and subsequently installed on the computer. By following the instructions provided on the website, users can effectively disable the problematic update and maintain greater control over their system's update management.

Change Group Policy Editor

The Group Policy feature is not accessible in the Home edition of Windows 10. Therefore, the ability to disable automatic updates permanently using the Local Group Policy editor is exclusively available for users running Windows 10 Professional, Enterprise, or Education editions. Alternatively, users on these editions can adjust the Windows Update settings to have control over when updates should be installed, enabling them to manage the update process according to their preferences. However, for users on Windows 10 Home edition, the options to disable automatic updates through Group Policy are not available, and they will have limited control over when updates are installed by default.

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 serves as a crucial repository for storing a vast array of information and settings related to software programs, hardware devices, user preferences, and various operating system configurations. However, editing the Windows Registry carries inherent risks, and improper modifications can lead to irreversible damage to your system installation. It is highly advised to exercise caution and make a full backup of your computer system before attempting any registry edits to ensure data safety and the ability to revert to a stable state if issues arise. Taking these precautionary measures is essential to avoid potential complications and ensure a secure and stable computing experience.

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.

Conclusion

To stop automatic updates on Windows 10, you can access the "Settings" app, then navigate to "Update & Security" and click on "Windows Update." From there, select "Advanced options," and under "Pause updates," choose a specific date to temporarily disable automatic updates. Additionally, you can use the "Metered Connection" feature to limit updates when using a network connection that is set as metered, reducing automatic updates' frequency.