How To Stop Windows 10 Security Updates

On Windows ten, cumulative updates download and install automatically as shortly every bit they become available. Although this approach allows laptops and desktop computers to receive security updates to patch vulnerabilities, better operation, and bring enhancements without user interaction, it is a very controversial feature.

Ordinarily, it's considering updates contain bugs that can negatively bear upon the experience in many ways. For instance, they could break existing features, introduce driver and application compatibility problems, or crusade the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD), and they require a system restart to complete the installation that can disrupt your workflow.

If yous feel more problems than benefits during updates, or if you accept a good reason to use a device without updates, depending on your edition of Windows 10, yous tin can disable automated updates using the Settings app or permanently with the Grouping Policy and Registry.

In this Windows x guide, we will walk you through the steps to prevent Windows Update from automatically downloading and installing updates on your computer.

How to disable automatic updates using Settings
How to disable automatic updates using Group Policy
How to disable automatic updates using Registry

How to disable automatic updates using Settings

If yous take to prevent the system from downloading a specific update, you practice not need to disable Windows Update permanently. Instead, y'all should only interruption Windows Update until the side by side Patch Tuesday arrives. The Settings app includes an choice to finish updates for upwards to 35 days on Windows 10.

To disable automatic updates temporarily, use these steps:

Open up Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Windows Update.
Click the Advanced options button.

Source: Windows Fundamental
Under the "Pause until" section, use the driblet-down bill of fare and select how long to terminate updates.

Source: Windows Central

Once you consummate the steps, Windows Update volition no longer download for the fourth dimension you lot specified. When the system reaches the pause limit, you will need to install the latest patch bachelor to make the pick available again.

You can always undo the changes with the instructions outlined above, but on footstep 5, choose the Select engagement option. Alternatively, you lot tin can accomplish the same effect by clicking the Resume updates button.

How to disable automatic updates using Group Policy

On Windows x Pro, the Local Group Policy Editor includes policies to permanently disable automatic updates or modify the update settings to choose when patches should be installed on the device.

Disable Windows 10 updates

To disable automatic updates on Windows 10 permanently, use these steps:

Open up Start.
Search for gpedit.msc and click the top result to launch the Local Grouping Policy Editor.
Navigate to the following path:

Figurer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update
Double-click the Configure Automated Updates policy on the right side.

Source: Windows Central
Bank check the Disabled option to turn off automated Windows 10 updates permanently.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Apply button.
Click the OK button.

Afterwards you complete the steps, Windows 10 will stop downloading updates automatically. However, the ability to bank check for updates manually will go along to be available on Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and clicking the Check for updates button to download the most recent patches as needed.

If you lot want to enable automated updates on the calculator once more, y'all can use the verbal instructions outlined to a higher place, but on pace 5, brand certain to select the Not Configured option.

Limit Windows ten updates

The Local Group Policy Editor also lets you choose how to disable automated updates.

To manage Windows Update automatic downloads with Group Policy on Windows 10, use these steps:

Open Offset.
Search for gpedit.msc and select the top result to launch the experience.
Navigate to the following path:

Computer Configuration > Authoritative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update
Double-click the Configure Automatic Updates policy on the right side.

Source: Windows Fundamental
Check the Enable option to plow on the policy.
Under the "Options" department, select the option to forestall updates from downloading automatically on Windows 10:
- 2 — Notify for download and auto install.
- 3 — Automobile download and notify for install.
- 4 — Motorcar download and schedule the install.
- 5 — Allow local admin to choose setting.
- 7 — Car Download, Notify to install, Notify to Restart.
Quick tip: The best pick to disable automatic updates is the 2 — Notify for download and auto install choice, merely you lot can make a different pick. If you lot choose selection two, updates won't download automatically. Instead, you will at present see an "Install now" button to manually trigger an update on the Windows Update settings page.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Utilise push.
Click the OK button.

In one case you consummate the steps, automatic updates volition be permanently disabled on Windows 10. However, when new updates go bachelor, you will exist able to install them manually from the Windows Update settings folio.

How to disable automatic updates with Registry

You can too use the Registry in two unlike ways to disable automated updates on Windows ten.

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that editing the Registry is risky and can crusade irreversible harm to your installation if you don't do it correctly. Before proceeding, information technology's recommended to brand a full fill-in of your PC.

Disable updates

To disable Windows x updates permanently irresolute the Registry settings, use these steps:

Open Get-go.
Search for regedit and click the summit effect to launch the Registry Editor.
Navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
Correct-click the Windows (folder) cardinal, select the New submenu, and choose the Key option.

Source: Windows Key
Name the new key WindowsUpdate and press Enter.
Right-click the newly created key, select the New submenu, and cull the Key selection.

Source: Windows Central
Name the new fundamental AU and press Enter.
Right-click the AU key, select the New submenu, and choose the DWORD (32-bit) Value option.

Source: Windows Primal
Name the new primal NoAutoUpdate and press Enter.
Double-click the newly created primal and change its value from 0 to one.

Source: Windows Key
Click the OK button.
Restart the reckoner.

After y'all complete the steps, automatic updates will be disabled permanently on the device. Nevertheless, you will still be able to download updates by clicking the Cheque for updates button on the Windows Update settings page.

If you desire to undo the changes, you lot can use the same instructions outlined to a higher place, but on pace 4, right-click the WindowsUpdate central, select the Delete selection, then reboot the computer to utilise the settings.

Limit updates

Finally, you can use the Registry to configure the system settings to make up one's mind how to get updates on Windows 10.

To utilize the Registry to cease automatic updates, just decide how to receive updates, employ these steps:

Open Start.
Search for regedit and click the peak result to open the Registry Editor.
Navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
Correct-click the Windows (binder) key, select the New submenu, and choose the Key pick.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Name the new key WindowsUpdate and printing Enter.
Correct-click the newly created key, select the New submenu, and choose the Primal pick.

Source: Windows Key
Name the new key AU and press Enter.
Right-click the AU key, select the New submenu, and select the DWORD (32-bit) Value option.

Source: Windows Central
Proper name the new central AUOptions and press Enter.
Double-click the newly created cardinal and change the value (number only) to:
- two — Notify for download and motorcar install.
- 3 — Auto download and notify for install.
- iv — Motorcar download and schedule the install.
- 5 — Allow local admin to choose settings.
- 7 — Machine Download, Notify to install, Notify to Restart.
These options are the aforementioned equally the Group Policy settings, and pick 2 is the closest to disable Windows Update permanently.

Source: Windows Central
Click the OK push button.
Restart the computer.

In one case y'all consummate the steps, cumulative updates volition no longer download and install automatically. Yet, when a new update becomes available, you will find the option to install information technology manually from the Windows Update settings.

You tin use the same instructions outlined in a higher place to restore the original settings, merely on step 4, right-click the WindowsUpdate key, select the Delete option, and reboot the computer.

Updates are essential to gear up security vulnerabilities, resolve issues, and meliorate the overall experience, no thing the version of Windows yous use. However, you lot may nevertheless need to disable this feature in some situations. For instance, when you want to take complete control over updates on Windows x, when y'all want to avoid issues since bugs are mutual in most releases, or when you are using a critical app or equipment, and y'all exercise not want to encounter any compatibility issues.

More Windows resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions virtually Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

Windows 11 on Windows Central — All y'all need to know
Windows 11 aid, tips, and tricks
Windows 10 on Windows Cardinal — All you lot need to know

Buyer'south guide

The Dell XPS 15 is our choice for best 15-inch laptop

For a lot of people, a 15-inch laptop is a perfect size that offers plenty screen for multitasking, and in a lot of cases, some extra performance from powerful hardware. We've rounded upwardly the best of the best at this size.

Mojang Studios needs to come clean about Minecraft on Xbox Series X|S

Kill the suspense

Mojang Studios needs to come clean about Minecraft on Xbox Series 10|S

Minecraft players have been eagerly awaiting a "current-gen" upgrade for Minecraft on Xbox Series Ten|Southward since the consoles launched, especially for the possibility of ray tracing. Afterward the contempo mishap with mistakenly released prototype code, it's time for Mojang Studios to come clean. What'south going on?