How to stop automatic updates on Windows 10

Windows 10 Automatic updates

If you're fed up with Windows 10 installing updates automatically, then use this guide to stop this behavior and decide when to install them.

On Windows 10, quality updates download and install automatically as soon as they're ready. Although this approach makes sure that every device has the latest security patches, performance, and stability enhancements, it's among one of the most controversial features.

Usually, it's because to apply updates, users must restart their devices interrupting the current workflow, and because a lot of times updates are also known to cause more problems negatively affecting the experience.

Whatever the reason, depending on the edition of Windows 10 installed on your device, you can regain control and stop automatic updates using the Windows Updates settings or permanently using Group Policy and Registry.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to block Windows Update from downloading and installing updates on your device automatically.

How to disable automatic updates using Settings

In case you want to delay the installation of a new update, it's unnecessary to disable the service permanently. You only need to pause updates until you're ready to apply them to your device. Using the Windows Update settings, you can stop updates for up to 35 days, whether you use Windows 10 Pro or Home.

Disabling all updates

To disable automatic updates temporarily, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Windows Update.
4. Click the Advanced options button.
5. Under the "Pause updates" sections, use the Pause until drop-down menu, and select when to resume automatic updates on Windows 10.

Once you complete the steps, updates will be disabled until the day you specified. When your device reaches the pause limit, you must install the latest updates to make the option available one more time.

If you want to undo the changes, you can use the same instructions, but on step No. 5, choose the Select date option. Alternatively, you can click the Resume updates button from the Windows Update page.

Disabling security updates

Windows 10 also offers an option to defer only quality updates for up to 30 days.

To disable security updates on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Windows Update.
4. Click the Advanced options button.
5. Under the "Pause updates" section, use the drop-down menu, and select the number of days you want to defer quality updates (up to 30 days).

After you complete the steps, your computer won't download and install monthly quality updates until the schedule reaches its limit, or you change the setting back to zero.

Disabling feature updates

In addition, the advanced settings also let you disable feature updates from downloading and installing automatically, even though, these updates are now optional.

To disable feature updates for up to a year, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Windows Update.
4. Click the Advanced options button.
5. Under the "Pause updates" section, use the drop-down menu, and select the number of days you want to defer a new feature update.

Quick note: This option may not be available for everyone at the time they want to use it.

Once you complete the steps, the device won't receive feature updates until after the day you specified in the settings.

Microsoft no longer automatically forces new feature updates, and it's now a process that you must initiate manually. However, there are still some situations where you may want to use this option to disable these types of updates.

How to disable automatic updates using Group Policy

If you use Windows 10 Pro, then you can use the Local Group Policy Editor to disable automatic updates permanently, or you can change the Windows Update policy settings to decide when updates should install.

Disabling updates

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

1. Open Start.
2. Search for gpedit.msc and select the top result to launch the Group Policy Editor.
3. Navigate to the following path:
4. Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update
5. Double-click the Configure Automatic Updates policy on the right side.
6. Check the Disabled option to turn off the policy.
7. Click the Apply button.
8. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, Windows 10 will stop downloading updates automatically on your computer. However, you'll continue to be able to install patches manually from Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and clicking the Check for updates button.

If you want to re-enable automatic updates, you can always revert the changes using the same instructions, but on step No. 5, make sure to select the Not Configured option.

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