Windows 10 disable automatic updatesSource: Windows Central

On Windows 10, quality updates (or cumulative updates) always download and install automatically as soon as they're ready for your device. While this approach makes sure that every computer has the latest security patches, performance, and stability improvements, it's also among one of the features that users complain the most.

Typically, it's because to apply updates, users are required to restart their devices, and because updates are also known to (sometimes) cause problems negatively affecting the user experience.

Whatever the reason it might be, depending on your edition of Windows 10, you can regain control and stop automatic updates using Group Policy and Registry.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to block Windows Update from downloading and installing updates on your computer automatically.

How to disable automatic updates using Settings

If you're looking to postpone updates, you don't need to disable the feature permanently. You can pause updates until you're ready to install them. Using the Settings app, you can pause updates for up to 35 days.

Disabling all updates

To temporarily disable automatic updates on Windows 10, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Update & Security.
  3. Click on Windows Update.

  4. Click the Advanced options button.

    Windows Update settings advanced optionSource: Windows Central

  5. Under the "Pause updates" sections, use the Pause until drop-down menu, and select the time range to disable automatic updates.

    Windows Update advanced settingsSource: Windows Central

Once you complete the steps, your device will no longer receive updates of any kind until the day you specified. When your device reaches the pause limit, you must allow Windows 10 to download and install the latest updates to make the option available again.

If you want to undo the changes, you can use the same instructions, but on step No. 5, choose the Select date option. Alternatively, you can click the Resume updates button from the Windows Update settings page.

Disabling security updates

In addition to temporarily disabling all updates, Windows 10 also offers an option to defer only quality updates up to 30 days.

To disable security updates on Windows 10, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Update & Security.
  3. Click on Windows Update.

  4. Click the Advanced options button.

    Windows Update settingsSource: Windows Central

  5. Under the "Pause updates" sections, use the drop-down menu at the bottom of the page, and select the number of days that you want to defer quality updates (if applicable).

    Windows Update disable security updatesSource: Windows Central

After you complete the steps, your computer won't download and install monthly quality updates until the schedule reaches its limit, or you change the setting back to zero.

How to disable automatic updates using Group Policy

On Windows 10 Pro, you can use the Local Group Policy editor to disable automatic updates permanently, or you can change the Windows Update settings to decide when updates should install.

Disabling updates

To permanently disable automatic updates on Windows 10, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for gpedit.msc and select the top result to launch the Group Policy Editor.

  3. Navigate to the following path:

    Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Update

  4. Double-click the Configure Automatic Updates policy on the right side.

    Windows Update group policy settingsSource: Windows Central

  5. Check the Disabled option to turn off the policy.

    Group Policy disable Windows UpdateSource: Windows Central

  6. Click the Apply button.
  7. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 will stop downloading updates automatically.

Although the automatic updates feature will remain disabled, you can still download and install patches manually from Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and clicking the Check for updates button.

If you want to re-enable automatic updates, you can always revert the changes using the same instructions, but on step No. 5, make sure to select the Not Configured option.

Limiting updates

Alternatively, if turning off the policy isn't working, you can also try customizing the Windows Update settings using the Group Policy Editor to limit the availability of updates on your computer.

To control Windows Update settings with Group Policy, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for gpedit.msc and select the top result to launch the experience.

  3. Navigate to the following path:

    Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Update

  4. Double-click the Configure Automatic Updates policy on the right side.

    Windows Update group policy settingsSource: Windows Central

  5. Check the Enable option to turn on the policy.

    Windows Update configure automatic updates policySource: Windows Central

  6. In the "Options" section, you'll find several options to configure automatic updates, including:

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

    Quick tip: The closest option to disable automatic updates is the 2 - Notify for download and auto install option, but you can select any other option that best fits your situation.

    Windows Update notify download and auto install update policy optionSource: Windows Central

  7. Click the Apply button.
  8. Click the OK button.

After completing the steps, updates will stop downloading automatically. However, when a new update becomes available, you'll receive a notification to download and install updates manually from the Windows Update settings page.

How to disable automatic updates using Registry

If you're running the Pro version of Windows 10, you can also disable automatic updates using the Registry in at least two different ways.

Disabling updates

To permanently disable updates on Windows 10 modifying the Registry, use these steps:

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that editing the Registry is risky, and it can cause irreversible damage to your installation if you don't do it correctly. It's recommended to make a full backup of your PC before proceeding.

To permanently disable Windows Update using the Registry, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for regedit and select the top result to launch the experience.

  3. Navigate to the following path:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

  4. Right-click the Windows (folder) key, select New, and then click the Key option.

    Windows Update registry keySource: Windows Central

  5. Name the new key WindowsUpdate and press Enter.

  6. Right-click the newly created key, select New, and click the Key option.

    AU Registry key to disable Windows UpdateSource: Windows Central

  7. Name the new key AU and press Enter.

  8. Right-click on the right side, select New, and click the DWORD (32-bit) Value option.

    Windows 10 NoAutoUpdate Registry key to disable automatic updatesSource: Windows Central

  9. Name the new key NoAutoUpdate and press Enter.

  10. Double-click the newly created key and change its value from 0 to 1.

    Windows 10 Registry key to disable automatic updatesSource: Windows Central

  11. Click the OK button.
  12. Restart your computer.

Once you complete the steps, Windows Update should stop trying to download and install updates automatically on your device.

If you must check, download, and install a new update manually, you can perform this task from Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update by clicking the Check for updates button.

Limiting updates

In the case that using the Registry to disable updates isn't working as expected, you can also use the Registry to customize the Windows Update settings to prevent updates from installing automatically.

To customize Windows Update settings to block updates with the Registry, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for regedit and select the top result to launch the experience.

  3. Navigate to the following path:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

  4. Right-click the Windows (folder) key, select New, and then click the Key option.

    Windows Update registry keySource: Windows Central

  5. Name the new key WindowsUpdate and press Enter.

  6. Right-click the newly created key, select New, and click the Key option.

    AU Registry key to disable Windows UpdateSource: Windows Central

  7. Name the new key AU and press Enter.

  8. Right-click on the right side, select New, and click the DWORD (32-bit) Value option.

    Windows 10 AUOptions Registry keySource: Windows Central

  9. Name the new key AUOptions and press Enter.

  10. Double-click the newly created key and change its value using one of the following options (number only):

    • 2 — Notify for download and auto install.
    • 3 — Auto download and notify for install.
    • 4 — Auto download and schedule the install.
    • 5 — Allow local admin to choose settings.

    These options work similar to the Group Policy settings, and number 2 is the closest option to disable Windows Update permanently. However, you can always select the configuration that best suits your situation.

    Windows 10 stop automatic updates using RegistrySource: Windows Central

  11. Click the OK button.
  12. Restart your computer.

After you complete the steps, Windows 10 will stop installing updates automatically. However, you'll receive notifications as soon as new quality updates are available, but they won't download and install until you approve them manually.

You can always use the same instructions to restore the original settings, but on step No. 4, right-click the WindowsUpdate key, and select the Delete option. Then reboot the computer to complete applying the settings.

Wrapping things up

Software updates are crucial to safeguard your device and files and to improve the overall experience. As such, it's never advised to use an unpatched device. However, there are many scenarios when disabling updates could make sense. For instance, when you may need to apply updates manually, or you want to delay the installation until you make sure that a particular update doesn't have any problems.

Also, this guide only stops monthly updates, which usually fix security vulnerabilities and improves the stability of Windows 10. If you want to avoid automatic installs of feature updates, such as the Windows 10 November 2019 Update, when the current installation is nearing the end of service, you need to modify the settings to defer major releases.