Windows 10 automatically checks for updates, and automatically installs them as well. If in earlier versions of Windows you could configure the methods of updating the operating system, then in Windows 10 you simply observe how the system, regardless of the time, connection speed and computer load, downloads and installs updates when it is convenient for it. And should it be convenient for her? Would it be more useful to give the user back the right to decide when he wants to install the update, and when he wants to restart the computer?

In today’s article, we’ll talk about hidden ways to stop the automatic installation of updates in Windows 10.

Disable automatic download of updates for a specific connection

If you are connected to the Internet via a local network (the cable is inserted into your computer) – do everything according to the instructions “Set the local network as a metered connection Windows 8 and 10” and the system will start offering you to download updates if they are available (that is, downloaded automatically they will not).

If you are connected to the Internet via a wireless network (Wi Fi) – do the following:

1. Go to the “Start” menu => Options;

2… Open “Network and Internet” => in the left column select “Wi Fi” => in the right column, left-click on the connected network;

3… In the “Limit connection” item next to “Set as a metered connection” left-click on the switch so that it becomes “ON”.

After enabling Metered Connection, Windows will notify you when updates are available and offer you to download them. Simply put, we have ensured that Windows 10 offers an update and asks if we want to download it or not.

Using Group Policy to Disable Automatic Updates in Windows 10

In this way, you can turn off the automatic download of updates regardless of the connection you are using. But there is also a drawback: the ability to configure the system using Group Policy is not implemented in the home version of Windows. Home users can skip this method and consider other options from this article!

1… In the search bar or in the execute menu (execute is called by the Win + R keys), write the command  gpedit.msc  and press the Enter key.

2… On the left side, select “Computer Configuration” => Administrative Templates => Windows Components => Windows Update => on the right side, open “Configure Automatic Updates” => put a dot in the “Enabled” box => now decide on the Automatic Updates settings, whether you want Windows 10 to notify about the presence and download of an update, or that it downloads and prompts you to install, or everything to be automatic. We select the first “download and install notification” and click “OK”.

After saving the new settings and restarting your computer, go to “Windows Update”. There you will see the inscription “Some parameters are managed by your organization”. Now updates will occur depending on the choice in group policies, and if you want to return automatic download and installation – just go back to group policies, follow the path indicated above and in the “Automatic update settings” select “Not configured”.

Disable automatic updates in Windows 10 by stopping the service

Another way to stop the automatic download of updates completely is by disabling Windows Update using services:

1… In the search bar or in the execute menu (execute is called by the Win + R keys) write  services.msc  and press the Enter key.

2… Almost at the very bottom, find “Windows Update”, open this service by double-clicking the left mouse button.

3… Click “Stop”, in the “Startup type” field select “Disabled”.

Now, when checking for updates, the error 0x80070422 will appear, so nothing will be downloaded and installed. In this way, you turn off all updates altogether, even if some security updates are released – you will not install them. You can return the installation option back – you can at any time by starting a stopped service.

If you want to return everything as it was: do steps 1 and 2 from the instructions above, and in the third, click “Run”, “start type” select “automatic”.

Disable automatic restart in Windows updates

By default, Windows 10 reboots the computer automatically when it is idle to install updates. But not always and not every user is satisfied with this action, you can change it so that when installing updates, you are asked for a convenient time to reboot. You can also set the time when you can restart your computer to install updates.

1… Go to Start Menu => Options.

2.  Select “Update and Security” => in the left column “Windows Update” => in the right column, open “Advanced Options”.

3.  In the “Schedule time” item, select a time when you can restart your computer to install updates. Next to Show more notifications, left-click on the switch so that it is in the On position. If any updates are currently installed and a restart is required, you will not be able to make a change in the “Schedule time” item, restart your computer and try again.

Prevent installation of specific updates and drivers in Windows 10

If Windows 10 tries to install an update for you that causes problems with the system, you can disable it. This action is not provided in Windows Update, and to prevent the installation of certain updates and drivers, you need to download a tool from Microsoft:

1… Download and run a tool from Microsoft;

2… In the window that appears, click “Next”, after which the program will look for problems and in a new window will offer to hide or show updates;

3… If you want to hide some updates so that it is not installed in the future, click hide updates and select those updates that you want to hide. That is, check the boxes next to unnecessary updates and click “Next”.

If in the future you need to install a hidden update, then re-run this utility and select “Show hidden updates”, then display the updates and the next time the updates are installed, they will be installed.

There is also a way to disable automatic updates through the registry, and it is only suitable for professional and corporate versions of Windows 10, it does the same as in group policies, so I don’t know how long you need it:

1. In the search bar or in the run menu (run by pressing the Win + R keys) enter regedit and press the Enter key;

2. Open in the left column HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Software Policies Microsoft Windows WindowsUpdate AU and you will most likely have to create the last two branches;

3. Create a DWORD value named “AUOptions” in the AU section and assign it one of the following values:

00000002 (download and install notification)

00000003 (Auto download and install notification)

00000004 (Auto download and schedule installation)

The result will be the same as in group policies, it’s just that it’s more difficult to do everything here – this method is for those who like to play with the registry.

Maybe you noticed in the “Windows Update” in the “Advanced options” item “Postpone updates”? If so, you can postpone only some updates in this way, security updates and some other important updates will be installed automatically.

That’s all for today, if you have add-ons or you know other ways – write comments! Good luck ?

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