How to turn off Automatic Updates on Windows

Hey there tech fans! Are you tired of your computer constantly updating without your permission? Do you have limited data usage and want to control when updates are installed?

Well, you’re in luck because today we’re going to talk about how to turn off automatic updates in Windows.

First, let’s talk about what automatic updates are. In Windows, automatic updates are updates that are automatically downloaded and installed on your computer without your approval.

This can be handy for keeping your computer up to date with the latest security patches and features, but it can also be a nuisance if you want more control over when and how updates are installed.

There are a few reasons why you may want to turn off automatic updates. For example, if you have a limited data plan, automatic updates can eat up a lot of your data.

Additionally, some people prefer to manually control when updates are installed so they can schedule them at a convenient time or make sure they have a stable internet connection.

So, if you’re ready to take back control of your computer’s updates, keep reading! We’ll walk you through the process of turning off automatic updates in Windows.


Windows Update settings

Alright, now that you’re ready to take control of your Windows updates, let’s talk about the different settings available in Windows Update. Understanding these settings will help you choose the option that works best for you.

First, there’s the option for automatic updates. This is the default setting and it means that updates will automatically be downloaded and installed on your computer without your permission.

Next, there’s the option to “download updates but let me choose whether to install them.” With this setting, updates will be automatically downloaded, but you’ll be prompted to choose whether or not to install them.

This gives you more control over when updates are installed, but you’ll still need to actively approve each update.

Finally, there’s the option to “check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them.”

With this setting, Windows will check for updates, but you’ll be prompted to choose whether or not to download and install them.

This gives you the most control over updates, but you’ll need to actively check for updates and approve them each time.

So, what’s the difference between these settings? Essentially, the more control you want over updates, the more steps you’ll need to take.

Automatic updates give you the least control, but they’re also the most hands-off. The other two options give you more control, but you’ll need to actively approve each update.

It’s up to you to decide which option works best for you.

Steps to turn off Automatic Updates

Alright, now that you understand the different settings available in Windows Update, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of turning off automatic updates. Here are the detailed steps to do so:

  1. Click the Start button and go to Settings
  2. Click on “Update & Security”
  3. Click on “Windows Update” from the left sidebar
  4. Click on “Advanced options”
  5. Under “Choose how updates are installed” select “Notify to schedule restart” or “Notify for download and notify for install”
pause-updates
block-updates

By following these steps, you will have successfully turned off automatic updates and will be notified when there is an update ready for download and installation.

Now, it’s important to note that just because you’ve turned off automatic updates, it doesn’t mean you should ignore updates altogether. Keeping your computer up to date is important for security and stability.

To ensure updates are still being installed, you can set a reminder to manually check for updates on a regular basis. You can also schedule the updates to be installed during your free time.

Another tip, if you want to update your computer but want to avoid interruption of your work, you can schedule the updates to be installed during the night or when you are not using your computer.

This way, you’ll wake up to a fully updated computer and won’t have to worry about interruptions during your workday.

By following these steps and tips, you’ll be able to take control of your Windows updates and keep your computer up to date without the annoyance of automatic updates.

Advanced options

Alright tech fans, are you looking for even more advanced options to control your Windows updates? Well, you’re in luck because there are a couple of ways to disable updates even more granularly.

One way is to use Group Policy. This is a feature that allows you to control various settings on your computer, including updates.

To use Group Policy to disable updates, follow these steps:

  1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
  3. In the Local Group Policy Editor window, navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update.
  4. Find the policy labeled “Configure Automatic Updates” and double-click on it.
  5. Change the setting to “Disabled” and click OK.

By following these steps, you will have successfully used Group Policy to disable updates on your computer.

Another way to disable updates is to use the Registry Editor. This is a tool that allows you to edit the registry, which is a database that stores various settings on your computer.

To use the Registry Editor to disable updates, follow these steps:

  1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type regedit and press Enter.
  3. In the Registry Editor window, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU.
  4. Right-click on the right pane and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
  5. Name the new value NoAutoUpdate and press Enter.
  6. Double-click on the new value and change the value data to 1.
  7. Click OK and close the Registry Editor.

By following these steps, you will have successfully used Registry Editor to disable updates on your computer.

Keep in mind that, modifying the registry or Group Policy can be risky and if done incorrectly, can cause serious problems to your computer.

So, always make sure to backup your important data and be careful when making changes to these settings.

These advanced options are for tech enthusiasts who want even more control over their updates.

By using either of these methods, you’ll be able to take control of your Windows updates and keep your computer up to date on your terms.


Conclusion

Well tech fans, we’ve come to the end of our journey on how to turn off automatic updates in Windows.

We’ve covered a lot of ground, from understanding the different settings available in Windows Update to more advanced options using Group Policy or Registry Editor.

To summarize, here are the steps to turn off automatic updates:

  1. Click the Start button and go to Settings
  2. Click on “Update & Security”
  3. Click on “Windows Update” from the left sidebar
  4. Click on “Advanced options”
  5. Under “Choose how updates are installed” select “Notify to schedule restart” or “Notify for download and notify for install”

It’s important to remember that just because you’ve turned off automatic updates, it doesn’t mean you should ignore updates altogether. Keeping your computer up to date is important for security and stability.

To ensure updates are still being installed, you can set a reminder to manually check for updates on a regular basis. You can also schedule the updates to be installed during your free time.

In conclusion, by following these steps and tips, you’ll be able to take control of your Windows updates and keep your computer up to date without the annoyance of automatic updates.

Remember, a well-maintained computer is key to a smooth and stable performance, so make sure to keep your computer updated and running smoothly.

Thanks for joining me on this journey and as always, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop them below. Happy updating!