How to stop or pause automatic Windows updates - Windows 10 and Windows 11

How to stop Windows 10 automatic updates

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How to stop Windows 10 automatic updates

Description

Windows 10 or 11 software updates are installed on your device automatically. The following allows you to control, and decide when to install Windows Updates using the Local Group Policy Editor.

Solution

Windows 10

  1. Press Windows key + R on the keyboard to open the Run command.
  2. Type gpedit.msc and click OK to open the Local Group Policy Editor. Note: gpedit.msc is only available in the Pro and Enterprise Editions of Windows 10.
    If you are running Windows 10 Home, you will not have access to gpedit.msc and it cannot be installed on Windows 10 Home.
  3. Browse the following path: Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Update.
  4. On the right side, double-click the Configure Automatic Updates policy.

    Updates
  5. On the left side, check the Enabled option to enable the policy.
  6. Under Options, there are a number of ways to configure automatic updates, including:
    • 2 Notify for download and notify for install
    • 3 Auto download and notify for install
    • 4 Auto download and schedule the install
    • 5 Allow local admin to choose setting

    Note:

    Option 4 Auto download and schedule the install allows you to specify exactly when to install new updates. You can 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 operating system.

  7. Click Apply > OK to complete the task.

Option 2:

  1. Select Start and Settings.
  2. Select Update & Security.
  3. Under Windows Update, select Advanced options to control update options.
    Advanced options
  4. Select a date to pause updates (up to 35 days).
    Pause updates

Option 3:

Notify for download and notify for install will not only prevent the operating system from downloading updates automatically, which can save you data when using a metered internet connection, but you'll get a notification when new updates are available. When new updates are released, you'll receive a notification in Action Center, but updates won't download and install until you're ready and do the following:

  1. Open Settings.
    Settings
  2. Click Update & security.
    Update and Security
  3. Click Windows Update.
  4. Click the Download button.
    Updates
  5. Click the Restart button to complete the task.

Windows 11

Option 1 - Notify for download and notify for install will not only prevent the operating system from downloading updates automatically, which can save you data when using a metered internet connection, but you'll get a notification when new updates are available. When new updates are released, you'll receive a notification in Action Center, but updates won't download and install until you're ready and do the following:

  1. Open Settings > Windows Update.
  2. Click Pause for 1 week to disable or postpone automatic updates.
    windows update setting

Option 2 - Disable from Group Policy

Option 4 Auto download and schedule the install allows you to specify exactly when to install new updates. You can 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 operating system.

  1. Press Windows key + R on the keyboard to open the Run command.
  2. Type gpedit.msc and click OK to open the Local Group Policy Editor (Note: gpedit.msc is only available in the Pro and Enterprise Editions of Windows 11.
    If you are running Windows 11 Home, you will not have access to gpedit.msc and it cannot be installed on Windows 11 Home).
  3. Browse the following path: Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Update\Manage end user experience.
  4. On the right side, double-click the Configure Automatic Updates policy.
    gpedit
  5. On the left side, check the Disabled option to disable the policy.
  6. Under Options, there are a number of ways to configure automatic updates, including:
    • 2 Notify for download and notify for install
    • 3 Auto download and notify for install
    • 4 Auto download and schedule the install
    • 5 Allow local admin to choose setting
  7. Click Apply > OK to complete the task.

Document ID:HT505372
Original Publish Date:10/09/2017
Last Modified Date:08/12/2024