With Windows 10, Microsoft is Set To Download and install Windows automatically, to ensure the proper functioning of a system and maintain its security. But for some reason, if you are Looking To turn off Windows 10 updates or disable automatic update installation on Windows 10? Here is a Guide to Stop Windows 10 Updates from Downloading or installing Automatically.

About Windows Update

Microsoft Regularly drops Windows Updates with New Features, Security improvements and Bug Fixes to patch the hole created by third-party Applications. And with Windows 10 Microsoft made it mandatory to download and install Windows Updates automatically to ensure your device stays up to date with the latest security patches and improvements.

Stop Windows 10 Update Auto Installation

While the Automatic Windows 10 Update installation is normal for most of Windows users, some find it extremely irritating as it restricts them from performing other activities very conveniently which they want to. If you are also one of those Windows users who want to stop Windows 10 update from installing updates automatically,y then here are some different ways To stop Windows 10 Update installation automatically.

If you’re running Windows 10 Pro or higher, it’s possible to retake control and prevent the OS from downloading and installing updates automatically using the Local Group Policy Editor or the Registry. And for Windows 10 Home Basic Users, a special Tweak Simply Stop the Windows update service and change the Startup Type to Disable. Let’s Perform How to stop Windows 10 Auto Update Installation.

Pause Windows updates

  • Click on the start menu then select Settings,
  • Go to Update & Security then Windows Update,
  • Here you will get an easy 1-click link to Pause updates for 7 days.
  • This option is also available for Windows 10 home users to quickly pause Windows being install on their device.

Disable Windows 10 update

Turn Battery Saver on

This is another option To Disable Automatic Updates on Windows 10. You can use the opportunity of enabling a Battery saver setting.

Go to Settings  -> System  -> Battery and click on the toggle the respective setting towards On mode. Also, you can control it with a single click on Action Center, Or by clicking on the Battery icon on the system tray.

Stop Windows Update using Group Policy

Note: The group policy Feature only available on Windows Pro and higher editions. If you are Windows 10 Home Basic user skip this Step. 

To disable Windows 10 update using the Local Group Policy Editor, first open Local Group Policy Editor by pressing Win + R, Type gpedit.msc and hit the enter key. Here on the Local Group Policy Editor window, navigate to the following folder:

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Update

Configure Automatic Updates

Now on the right side, double-click on the Configure Automatic Updates policy from the Settings list. Then on the left side, check the Enabled option to enable the policy. Then under options select option 2 – “Notify for download and auto install” to stop the automatic installation of updates. Click Apply and OK to make the changes.

Enabling and applying Notify for Download and Notify for Install policy will now inform you if a new update is available on your PC and will ask you if you wish to download the update or not.

Notify for download and notify for install

Also, If you select option 4, you can specify exactly when to install new updates. You can also choose to install updates during automatic maintenance, on a particular day and time, and you can even check the option to include other Microsoft product updates when updating the OS.

With this the policy will prevent the automatic installation of Windows updates and you’ll receive a notification every time a new update is available. If you ever wish to change it back to default, just select the option 3 – “Auto download and notify for install”.

Tweak Registry To Stop Windows 10 Update Installation

Instead of using the Local Group Policy Editor, you can Also Tweak the Windows Registry Editor to prevent Windows 10 Automatic Update installation.

Note: This method we are going to tweak the Windows registry editor. Before make any modifications, we recommend to take a backup of the current registry editor.

Now open Windows Registry Editor by press Win + R, Type regedit and hit the enter key. Then on the left side pane navigate to the following key.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU

Then right click on Windows, select New -> key and name it to Windowsupdate. Again, right-click on Windows update, New -> key and name it AU.

Create new key on Registry Editor

Click on the Au key, then on the right-side panel, right-click anywhere, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value option and rename this key as AUOptions and hit Enter. Now, double-click on the AUOptions key and then change its Value data as per your choice. You can find out what these values mean:

  • 2 – Notify for download and for install
  • 3 – Auto Download and notify for install
  • 4 – Auto Download and schedule the install
  • 5 – Allow local admin to choose setting

For Ex If you want to stop Windows 10 from automatically updating your PC then set the Value data as 2.

stop windows 10 update using Registry Editor

That’s all now click OK and close Registry Editor. Then restart Windows To take Effect the Changes.

Disable Windows Update Service

This is the Best way to completely control/stop Windows 10 from downloading and installing updates Automatically on Windows 10 All Editions.

  • Press Windows + R, type services.msc and ok to open Windows Services Console,
  • Scroll down and look for the Windows update service,
  • Right click on Windows Update service and select properties,
  • Here, change the startup type to disable from drop-down menu,
  • Also, stop the service next to the service status,
  • Click apply and ok to make the save changes.

disable windows update service

Remember this setting and keep in mind that if in future you would like to install updates then you will have to turn it ON. So, that you can make the updates as required on right time.

Metered Connection

Windows 10 offers users on metered connections a compromise: to save bandwidth, Microsoft confirms the operating system will only automatically download and install updates it classifies as ‘Priority’.

Note: If your PC uses an Ethernet cable to connect to the Internet the Metered Connection option will be disabled as it works with Wi-Fi connections only.

To Set As the metered connection

  • Go to Settings> Network & Internet> Wi-Fi
  • Click “Manage Known Networks“.
  • Then you have to choose your Wi-Fi network and then select Properties.
  • Finally, enable the Set as metered connection.

Now, Windows 10 will assume that you have a limited data plan on this network and won’t download all updates over it automatically.

Stop auto driver update Windows 10

If you are looking for Way to disable the Auto download of Driver updates form Windows Update. Then you can do this from control panel, navigate to System & Security > System >Advanced System Settings and click the hardware tab over there. Then click on the Device Installation Settings and select the option of NO.

Robeg
I am Robeg founder of this blog. My qualification. completed Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP). With a strong background in computer applications love write articles on Microsoft Windows (11, 10, etc.) Cybersecurity, WordPress and more.