How to Permanently Disable Automatic Updates in Windows 10 & 11
If you’re fed up with Windows 10 or 11 automatically updating your system at inconvenient times, you’re not alone. This guide will show you how to permanently disable automatic updates using four different methods: using Group Policy Editor, Registry Editor, Services Manager, and by preventing forced restarts and background updates. By following these steps, you will be able to regain control of your PC updates.
Step 1: Turn Off Automatic Updates Using Group Policy Editor
To disable automatic updates through the Group Policy Editor, follow these steps:
- Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type
gpedit.msc
and hit Enter. - Navigate to
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update
. - Double-click on
Configure Automatic Updates
. - Select the
Disabled
option, then click onApply
andOK
.
Step 2: Disable Updates via Registry Editor
Here’s how to use the Registry Editor for disabling updates:
- Open the Run dialog again using Win + R.
- Type
regedit
and press Enter. - Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\
. - Right-click on the
Windows
key, selectNew > Key
, and name itWindowsUpdate
. - Right-click on
WindowsUpdate
, selectNew > Key
, and name itAU
. - Right-click on the right side, select
New > DWORD (32-bit) Value
, and name itNoAutoUpdate
. Set its value to1
.
Step 3: Block Updates Using Services Manager
Follow these steps to stop the Windows Update service:
- Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type
services.msc
and press Enter. - Scroll down and find
Windows Update
. - Right-click on it and select
Properties
. - In the ‘Startup type’ dropdown, select
Disabled
. ClickStop
if the service is running, then clickApply
andOK
.
Step 4: Prevent Forced Restarts and Background Updates
To prevent forced restarts and background updates, follow these instructions:
- Open the Settings app by pressing Win + I.
- Go to
Update & Security > Windows Update
. - Select
Advanced options
. - Under ‘Pause updates’, you can select a period to pause updates. Alternatively, toggle the option to turn off automatic restarting after updates.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Here are a few additional tips to help you manage Windows updates more effectively:
- Always back up your Registry settings before making changes to avoid potential issues.
- Check your Group Policy settings if updates seem to resume unexpectedly, as they can be overridden by newer policies.
- Be aware that disabling updates may leave your system vulnerable to security risks. Use these methods responsibly.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can effectively disable automatic updates on Windows 10 and 11, giving you more control over your system’s update schedule. Remember that while these methods can prevent unwanted interruptions, they may also prevent essential security updates. Always weigh the benefits against the potential risks. For more tips and tricks on managing Windows, check out our other guides!