Windows 10 updates help keep your system secure and up to date. However, they can be disruptive especially if they happen at inconvenient times. If you want more control over when and how updates are applied, this guide will show you how to permanently disable them using different methods.
Methods To Stop Windows Update Permanently
To permanently turn off updates on Windows, the following guidelines should be used. We will start with the service application first.
Method 1: Stop Windows Update Permanently using Services
Step 1: At first, open the search box & write down services there. Now, the service option will be available, & click on it.
Step 2: A big list will appear in the next window. Search for the Windows Update option & right-click over there.
Step 3: A new popup window will be opened. From the Startup Type dropdown menu, select the Disable option. And just below it, click on the Stop button. In the end, click on the Apply button to save the changes.
Method 2: Stop Windows Update Permanently using Group Policy
Step 1: Again open the Search bar in Windows 10 & Search for the "gpedit.msc". Just press Enter to move ahead.
Step 2: The Group Policy Editor window will open. In the left pane, expand Administrative Templates, then expand Windows Components.
Step 3: Click on Windows Update under Windows Components so that its settings appear in the right pane.
Step 4: On the right-hand side, double-click Configure Automatic Updates.
Step 5: Select Disabled, click Apply, then OK, and close the window.
Method 3: Stop Windows Update Permanently using Register Policy
Step 1: Open the Search bar, type regedit, and press Enter.
Step 2: Navigate to:
Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
Step 3: Right-click on Windows → Select New > Key → Name it: "WindowsUpdate"
Step 4: Inside WindowsUpdate, right-click → Select New > Key → Name it: "AU"
Step 5: On the right pane, right-click → Select: New > DWORD (32-bit) Value and Name it: "NoAutoUpdate"
Note: Even on 64-bit Windows, create a DWORD (32-bit) value — not QWORD.
Step 6: Double-click on NoAutoUpdate and set: Value Data = 1. Click OK and restart your system.
Method 4: Stop Windows Update Permanently using Task Scheduler
Step 1: To Stop Updating Windows 10, search for the Task Scheduler in the Search bar on the device. One option will be available with the same name, click on that to move ahead.
Step 2: On the left-hand side of the screen, expand the folder Task Scheduler Library. Under such folder, again expand the folder Microsoft. Inside the Microsoft folder, the Windows folder will be available.
Step 3: In the right-hand side window, a Schedule Start option is present. Right-click on the option & click on the Disable option to complete the process.
Method 5: Stop Windows Update Permanently by Pausing Updates
Step 1: Open the Settings. Inside the Setting window, click on the Update & Security option.
Step 2: In the next window, click on Advanced Options under the Update Settings.
Step 3: Inside the next window, the Pause Updates option will be available & enable the button. It will pause the updates in Windows 10 for 35 days.
Method 6: Stop Windows Update Permanently using Metered Connection
Step 1: At first, the Settings window will be opened. Then among so many options move for the Network & Internet option. Click on it to open.
Step 2: In the next window, from the left-hand side click on the option Ethernet.
Step 3: On the next window, an option will be present as the Metered Connection. Enable the button present below.
Method 7: Stop Windows Update Permanently by Uninstalling Updates
Step 1: In this case also, the Settings of the Windows will be opened. In that window, click on the Update & Security option.
Step 2: In the next window, in the left-hand sidebar, click on the option Windows Update from so many options present there.
Step 3: After that, click on the View Update History option to move ahead.
Step 4: In the next window, click on Uninstall Updates to remove the installed updates from the device.
With these methods, you can take full control of Windows 10 updates and choose the one that works best for your situation.