How to Stop Windows 11 Updates From Installing Automatically

Windows 11 is designed to download and install updates automatically to keep your PC secure and up to date. However, sometimes you may want to delay an update to troubleshoot an issue, due to limited internet bandwidth, or because you’re working on an important project. Windows 11 lets you pause updates for 35 days. While updates are paused, Windows won’t download or install new updates until the selected pause period ends. If you need more control than temporarily pausing updates provides, Windows 11 Pro and other supported editions also offer Windows Update policies that can change how updates are downloaded and installed.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to temporarily stop Windows 11 updates from installing and explain what you can and can’t disable through Windows Update.

Pause Windows 11 Updates

If you only want to stop Windows 11 from downloading and installing updates for a while, the built-in Pause updates option is recommended. It temporarily delays updates (Up to 35 days) without changing Windows services or system policies.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Select Windows Update.
3. Under Pause updates, select Pick a date.
4. Choose a date from the calendar.
5. Windows will pause updates until the date you selected.

You can pause updates for up to 35 days from today. The calendar won’t let you choose a date beyond that limit.

Windows will not download or install updates that are covered by the pause until the selected pause period ends. You can also resume updates manually at any time.

Keep in mind: Pausing updates is temporary. When the pause expires, Windows Update resumes and checks for the latest available updates. It does not permanently disable automatic updates.

2. Set Your Internet Connection as Metered

If you want to prevent Windows 11 from automatically downloading most updates, you can set your current Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection as metered. This tells Windows to reduce background data usage, and some Windows updates won’t be downloaded or installed automatically while the connection is metered.

For a Wi-Fi connection

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Network & internet → Wi-Fi.
3. Select the Wi-Fi network you’re currently connected to.
4. Turn on Metered connection.

For an Ethernet connection

1. Open Settings → Network & internet.
2. Select Ethernet.
3. Turn on Metered connection.

After enabling this setting, Windows will limit some background downloads, including certain Windows Update downloads. However, a metered connection is not a complete Windows Update blocker. Microsoft notes that Windows Update can still download priority updates, and you can also manually allow updates over a metered connection when necessary.

Use this method mainly when you have limited or capped internet data. If your goal is simply to delay an update for a few days, the Pause updates option is a better choice.

3. Use Group Policy to Control Automatic Updates

If you’re using Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or another edition that includes the Local Group Policy Editor, you can change how Windows Update handles new updates.

Instead of allowing Windows Update to automatically download updates in the background, you can configure it to notify you before downloading and installing them. This gives you a chance to decide when an update should be downloaded and installed. Microsoft provides this option through the Configure Automatic Updates policy.

Configure Windows Update to notify you first

• Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
• Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
• Go to: Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Windows Update → Manage end user experience
• Double-click Configure Automatic Updates.

• Select Enabled.
• Under Options, open the configuration dropdown.
• Select 2 – Notify for download and auto install.

• Click Apply, then OK.
• Close the Local Group Policy Editor.

With this setting, Windows Update can detect applicable updates, but you receive a notification that updates are available instead of Windows automatically downloading them. You can then open Windows Update and choose when to download and install them.

Important: This method is intended for supported Windows editions with Group Policy. If you have Windows 11 Home and don’t have gpedit.msc, use the other methods in this guide instead.

4. Use the Registry to Control Automatic Updates

If you’re using Windows 11 Home, the Local Group Policy Editor isn’t normally available. You can use a Windows Update policy in the Registry instead, but this is an advanced method and should be used carefully.

Microsoft documents the NoAutoUpdate registry value for controlling Automatic Updates. Setting it to 1 disables automatic updates through this policy, meaning you’ll need to check for and install updates manually.

Because you’ll be modifying the Windows Registry, it’s a good idea to create a restore point or back up the Registry before continuing. A mistake in the Registry can cause Windows or other applications to behave unexpectedly.

Configure the Windows Update policy

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type regedit and press Enter.
3. If User Account Control appears, select Yes.
4. Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

5. Right-click the Windows key, select New → Key, and name it:

WindowsUpdate

6. Right-click WindowsUpdate, select New → Key, and name it:

AU

7. Select the AU key.
8. In the right pane, right-click an empty area and select New → DWORD (32-bit) Value.
9. Name the value:

AUOptions

10. Double-click AUOptions and set Value data to:

2

11. Click OK and restart your PC.

What do the AUOptions values mean?

Microsoft documents several AUOptions values:

• 2 — Notify before downloading and installing updates.
• 3 — Automatically download updates and notify you before installation.
• 4 — Automatically download updates and schedule their installation.

For this guide, 2 is the option you want if your goal is to prevent Windows 11 from automatically downloading and installing updates while still allowing you to install them manually.

After restarting, Windows Update should follow the policy rather than automatically downloading and installing updates. You can change the value back to 0 later if you want to restore automatic updating.

Important: This is not the method I’d recommend for most users. Windows updates include important security fixes, and Microsoft states that updates cannot be stopped indefinitely through normal Windows Update settings. If you only need to delay an update, use Pause updates instead.

Should you disable the Windows Update service?

You may find guides recommending that you stop the Windows Update service from services.msc. While this can temporarily prevent Windows Update from running, it is not a reliable long-term solution. Windows may restart or manage the service when necessary, and disabling it can prevent important security updates from being installed.

If your goal is to control when updates download and install, use Pause updates, Group Policy, or the AUOptions policy instead.

Restore Automatic Windows Updates

If you later want Windows 11 to return to its normal automatic update behavior, you can remove the Registry policy you created earlier.

If you used the AUOptions method:

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to:

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

3. Find AUOptions in the right pane.
4. Right-click it and select Delete.
5. Click Yes to confirm.
6. Restart your PC.

Removing the policy allows Windows Update to return to its normal configuration, assuming no other Windows Update policy is controlling the device. Microsoft notes that when the Configure Automatic Updates policy is not configured, Windows Update can be managed through the normal Windows Update settings.

Tip: If you used the Local Group Policy method instead, open Configure Automatic Updates and change it back to Not Configured, then restart Windows.

Frequently Asked Questions