How to Enable or Disable Automatic Updates for Windows Update in Windows 10
Windows 10 will automatically check for new Windows Updates at the time you have set in automatic maintenance.
Windows 10 will automatically download and install important and critical updates by default
Some updates are not installed automatically. This includes optional updates and updates that require you to accept new terms of use. When these updates are available, Windows Update will let you know that they're ready to be installed.
This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable automatic updates in Windows Update for all users in Windows 10.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to enable or disable automatic updates.
- Option One: To Enable or Disable Automatic Updates using Wu10Man
- Option Two: To Enable or Disable Automatic Updates using Group Policy
- Option Three: To Enable or Disable Automatic Updates using a REG file
- Option Four: To Turn On or Off Automatic Device Driver Installation
- Option Five: To Enable or Disable Automatic Updates using Metered Network Connection
- Option Six: To Enable or Disable Automatic Updates by Enabling or Disabling Windows Update service
EXAMPLE: Automatic Updates Disabled and Disabled by Group Policy for Windows Update
To Enable or Disable Automatic Updates using Wu10Man
This option will work in all Windows 10 editions.
Win10Man is an open source tool by WereDev on GitHub that can be used to completely disable Windows Update in Windows 10.
If you disable automatic updates using Win10Man, you will need to enable Automatic Updates using Win10Man each time before you Check for and install updates in Windows Update.
1. Download and run the latest release of Win10Man at GitHub below.
2. Do step 3 (enable) or step 4 (disable) below for what you would like to do.
3. To Enable Automatic Updates
This is the default setting.
A) In the Group Policy tab, select Enable Automatic Updates (default) or Automatic Download, Notify of Installation in the drop menu for what you want, and click/tap on the Update Policy button. (see screenshots below)
B) In the Windows Services tab, turn on all Windows Services, and click/tap on OK after each one. (see screenshot below)
C) In the Hosts File tab, click/tap on the Unblock All Hosts button, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshots below)
D) You can now close Win10Man if you like.
4. To Disable Automatic Updates
A) In the Group Policy tab, select Disable Automatic Updates or Notify of Download and Installation in the drop menu for what you want, and click/tap on the Update Policy button. (see screenshots below)
B) In the Windows Services tab, turn off all Windows Services, and click/tap on OK after each one. (see screenshot below)
C) In the Hosts File tab, click/tap on the Block All Hosts button, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshots below)
D) You can now close Win10Man if you like.
To Enable or Disable Automatic Updates using Group Policy
This option is not available and will not work in Windows 10 Home. Microsoft has prevented disabling automatic updates in the Home edition.
This option will only work in the Windows 10 Pro and Enterpriseeditions.
This option does the same as Option Two below.
If you use this option and manually check for updates, then the updates will still always be automatically downloaded and installed.
If you let Windows automatically check for updates and notify you when updates are available, then this policy will let you disable automatic updates.
1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor.
2. In the left pane of Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)
Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates/Windows Components/Windows Update
3. In the right pane of Windows Update in Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Configure Windows Updates policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)
4. Do step 5 (enable), step 6 (Notify), or step 7 (Never notify) below for what you would like to do.
This is the default setting.
A) Select (dot) Not Configured at the top, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)
6. To Set Windows Update to Notify before Downloading and Installing any Updates (Recommended)
A) Select (dot) Enabled at the top. (see screenshot below)
B) Select 2. Notify for download and notify for install in the 'Configure automatic updating' drop down menu under Options, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below.
7. To Set Windows Update to Never Notify or Check for Updates
A) Select (dot) Disabled at the top, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)
8. When finished, close the Local Group Policy Editor.
9. Click/tap on the Check for updates button in Windows Update to apply.
10. Sometimes it may take a while for it to kick in to not automatically download and install updates though.
To Enable or Disable Automatic Updates using a REG file
This option will not work in Windows 10 Home. Microsoft has prevented disabling automatic updates in the Home edition.
This option will only work in the Windows 10 Pro and Enterpriseeditions.
This option does the same as Option Two above.
If you use this option and manually check for updates, then the updates will still always be automatically downloaded and installed.
If you let Windows automatically check for updates and notify you when updates are available, then this policy will let you disable automatic updates.
1. Do step 2 (enable), step 3 (notify), step 4 (never notify) below for what you would like to do.
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Enable_Automatic_Updates.reg
3. To Set Windows Update to Notify before Downloading and Installing any Updates (Recommended)
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Notify_before_Downloading_and_Installing_Updates.reg
4. To Set Windows Update to Never Notify or Check for Updates
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Never_Notify_or_Check_for_Updates.reg
5. Save the .reg file to your desktop.
6. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
7. If prompted, click/tap on Run,
Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
8. Click/tap on the Check for updates button in Windows Update, then Restart the computer when finished to apply.
9. If you like, you can now delete the downloaded .reg file.
10. Sometimes it may take a while for it to kick in to not automatically download and install updates though.
To Turn On or Off Automatic Device Driver Installation
Device Installation Settings allow you to change if Windows is to automatically download drivers and realistic icons for your devices from Windows Update.
This option will work in all Windows 10 editions.
1. For how, see:
How to Enable or Disable Including Driver Updates in Windows Update in Windows 10
and
How to Turn On or Off Automatic Device Driver Installation in Windows 10
To Enable or Disable Automatic Updates using Metered Network Connection
Windows will automatically download and install updates, except on metered connections. In that case, Windows will automatically download only those updates required to keep Windows running smoothly.
This option will work in all Windows 10 editions.
1. For how, see:
How to Set Ethernet Connection as Metered or Non-Metered in Windows 10
OR
Set Wireless Network as Metered or Non-Metered Connection in Windows 10
To Enable or Disable Automatic Updates by Enabling or Disabling Windows Update service
If you disable the Windows Update service, Windows will no longer be able to automatically download and install updates.
When you are ready to download and install updates, you will need to enable and start the Windows Update service again, then check for updates.
This option will work in all Windows 10 editions.
Windows 10 is notorious about randomly automatically enabling the Windows Update service (even if disabled), so this option is not always reliable.
1. For how, see: How to Start, Stop, Restart, and Disable Services in Windows 10
That's it,
Shawn
Windows 10 PCs automatically check for updates and install any updates they find. You can take some control over this and have Windows 10 install updates on your schedule, but these options are hidden. Windows Update really wants to automatically update on Windows 10.
Professional, Enterprise, and Education editions of Windows 10 have access to group policy and registry settings for this, but even Home editions of Windows 10 give you a way to stop updates from automatically downloading.
Prevent Automatic Downloading of Updates on a Specific Connection
RELATED:What You Need to Know About Windows Update on Windows 10
When you set a connection as “metered,” Windows 10 won’t automatically download updates on it. Windows 10 will automatically set certain types of connections — cellular data connections, for example — as metered. However, you can set any connection like as a metered connection.
So, if you don’t want Windows 10 automatically downloading updates on your home network connection, just set it as a metered connection. Windows 10 will automatically download updates when you connect your device to an unmetered network, or when you set the network it’s connected to as unmetered again. And yes, Windows will remember this setting for each individual network, so you can disconnect from that network and reconnect all you like.
Do you have an Internet connection with limited data? Just mark it as metered and Windows 10 won’t automatically download updates on it. If your connection offers unlimited downloads at a specific time — for example, during the middle of the night — you could mark the connection as unmetered occasionally at these times to download updates and mark it as metered after the updates are downloaded.
RELATED:How to Set an Ethernet Connection as Metered in Windows 8 and 10
To change this option for a Wi-Fi network, open the Settings app, head to Network & Internet > Wi-Fi, and click the name of the Wi-Fi network you’re currently connected to. Enable the “Set as metered connection” option on the properties page. This option only affects the Wi-Fi network you’re currently editing, but Windows will remember this setting for each individual Wi-Fi network on which you change it.
To change this option for a wired Ethernet network, open the Settings app, head to Network & Internet > Ethernet, and click the name of your Ethernet connection. Enable the “Set as metered connection” option on the properties page.
After enabling this option, Windows Update will say “Updates are available. We’ll download the updates as soon as you connect to Wi-Fi, or you can download the updates using your data connection (charges may apply.)” By marking a connection as metered, you’ve tricked Windows into thinking it’s a mobile data connection–for example, you might be tethering your PC to your smartphone. You can click the Download button to download and install updates at your leisure.
Stop Windows Update From Automatically Rebooting Your Computer
RELATED:How to Set “Active Hours” So Windows 10 Won’t Restart at a Bad Time
So maybe you don’t mind the automatic downloads, but you just don’t want Windows to restart while you’re in the middle of something. Windows 10 is okay about this, since it lets you set a 12 hour window called “Active Hours” in which it won’t automatically reboot.
To set Active Hours, head to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Click or tap “Change Active Hours” under Update Settings. From there, you’ll set the times you don’t want Windows to automatically restart.
You can also override those active hours to schedule certain reboots when an update is ready. You can read more about how to do that here.
Prevent Windows Update From Installing Specific Updates and Drivers
RELATED:How to Uninstall and Block Updates and Drivers on Windows 10
If Windows 10 insists on installing a specific update or driver that’s causing problems, you can prevent Windows Update from installing that particular update. Microsoft doesn’t provide a built-in way to block updates and drivers from automatically being downloaded, but it does offer a downloadable tool that can block updates and drivers so Windows won’t download them. This gives you a way to opt out of specific updates–uninstall them and “hide” them from being installed until you unhide them.
Use Group Policy to Disable Automatic Updates (Professional Editions Only)
RELATED:Should You Upgrade to the Professional Edition of Windows 10?
Editor’s Note: This option, while it still exists, seems to no longer work in the Anniversary Update for Windows 10, but we’ve left it here in case anyone wants to try it. Proceed at your own risk.
You should really consider leaving automatic updates enabled for security reasons. But, there is an option that will let you choose how updates are installed on your own schedule, but it’s buried in Group Policy. Only Professional, Enterprise, and Education editions of Windows 10 have access to the Group Policy editor. To access the group policy editor, press Windows Key + R, type the following line into the Run dialog, and press Enter:
Navigate to Computer ConfigurationAdministrative TemplatesWindows ComponentsWindows Update.
Locate the “Configure Automatic Updates” setting in the right pane and double-click it. Set it to “Enabled,” and then select your preferred setting. For example, you can choose “Auto download and notify for install” or “Notify for download and notify for install.” Save the change.
Visit the Windows Update pane, click “Check for updates,” and then select “Advanced options.” You should see your new setting enforced here. You’ll also see a note saying “Some settings are managed by your organization,” informing you that these options can only be changed in Group Policy.
To disable this later, go back to the Group Policy editor, double-click the “Configure Automatic Updates” setting, and then change it from “Enabled” to “Not configured.” Save your changes, visit the Windows Update pane again, click “Check for updates,” and then select “Advanced options.” You’ll see everything change back to the default setting. (Windows Update only seems to notice the setting change after you click “Check for updates.”)
Use the Registry to Disable Automatic Updates (Professional Editions Only)
Editor’s Note: This option, while it still exists, seems to no longer work in the Anniversary Update for Windows 10, but we’ve left it here in case anyone wants to try it. Proceed at your own risk.
This setting can be configured in the registry, too. This registry hack does exactly the same thing as the above Group Policy setting. However, it also only seems to work on Professional editions of Windows 10.
Download our Disable Automatic Updates on Windows 10 registry hack and double-click one of the included .reg files to make Windows Update notify for download and notify for install, auto download and notify for install, or auto download and schedule the install. There’s also a .reg file that will delete the registry value the other files create, allowing you to go back to the default settings. This only worked when we tried it on Windows 10 Pro, not Home.
After changing this option, visit the Windows Update pane in the Settings app and click “Check for updates.” You can then click “Advanced options” and you’ll see your new setting here. (You have to perform a check for updates before Windows Update notices your changed setting.)
If you’d like to do this yourself, the exact setting you’ll need to change is under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsUpdateAU — you’ll need to create the last few keys there. Create a DWORD value named “AUOptions” under the AU key and give it one of the following values:
There’s another “trick” making the rounds for this. It involves disabling the Windows Update system service in the Windows services administration tool. This isn’t a good idea at all, and will prevent your computer from receiving even crucial security updates. While it would be nice if Microsoft offered some more choice of when to install updates, you shouldn’t opt out of security updates entirely. To prevent Windows from automatically downloading updates on any PC, just set its connection as metered.
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Please tell me how to effectively disable Automatic Updates on Windows 10 Home (1607).
Microsoft is ruining my life! After re-installing Windows 10 Home (1607) on Thursday for the 32nd time this year, I woke up this morning to find out that my (custom built) work PC has been yet again updated without my consent.
I've had to reinstall Windows 10 Home (1607) roughly 32 times this year because the Creator's update (1709) keeps breaking my work PC.
I briefly tried switching to Windows 7 but had to switch back to Windows 10 Home (1607) due to software incompatibility issues.
I've tried every solution I can find (registry hacks), and I've spent at least 4 hours on the phone to the Microsoft Up and Running team in India, despite granting them remote access to my PC, nothing they've done has worked — It's been a complete waste of my time.
This issue has been beyond frustrating, moreover, it has cost me thousands of pounds because It takes me roughly 5 days to painstakingly re-install and reconfigure the myriad of programs I use (code editors, design software, music software, 3D software and plugins) while also dealing with other responsibilities in my life. There's nothing more embarrassing than telling a client you can't meet a deadline because your computer isn't working.
Worst of all, I feel trapped because I can't afford the cost of building a new PC (in the hopes that it might be able to handle the creator's update) or switching to a top-tier Mac.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
— John
Windows Update exists to help make it easy to keep Windows up to date with the latest patches, service packs, and other updates. How easy depends on how Windows Update is configured to download and apply updates.
When you first turned on your new computer or were finishing your Windows operating system install, you told Windows Update how you wanted it to act — a little more automatic or a little more manual.
If your original decision isn't working out, or you need to change how it works to avoid repeating an auto-update issue, like what happens on some Patch Tuesdays, you can simply adjust how Windows receives and installs updates.
Depending on your version of Windows, this could mean downloading but not installing the updates, notifying you but not downloading them, or even disabling Windows Update completely.
Time Required: Changing how Windows updates are downloaded and installed should only take you a few minutes at most.
Microsoft made changes to the location and wording of Windows Update and its settings almost every time a new version of Windows was released. Below are three sets of instructions for changing/disabling Windows Update: one for Windows 10, one for Windows 8, Windows 7 or Windows Vista, and one for Windows XP.
Not sure what version of Windows you're running? Use the Lifewire System Info Tool to find out:
How To Stop Windows 10 Updates Permanently
If you're changing Windows Update settings on another device and not sure what version it's running, see What Version of Windows Do I Have? for help.
How to Change Windows Update Settings in Windows 10
Beginning in Windows 10, Microsoft simplified the options available to you regarding the Windows Update process but also removed some of the finer control you may have enjoyed in earlier versions.
- Tap or click on the Start button, followed by Settings. You'll need to be on the Windows 10 Desktop to do this.
- Choose Windows Update from the menu on the left, assuming it's not already selected.
- Tap or click the Advanced options link on the very bottom of the page.
- The various settings on this page control how Windows 10 will download and install updates for the operating system, and perhaps other software, from Microsoft.We highly recommend that you do the following: turn on Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows, turn on Automatically download updates, even over metered data connections (charges may apply), and don't enable any deferred update options (if you see them). All things considered, this is the safest way to go.
- Changes to Windows Update settings in Windows 10 are saved automatically once you make them. Once you're done selecting or deselecting things, you can close the Advanced Options window that's open.
Here are more details on all the 'advanced' Windows Update settings that are available to you in Windows 10:
Automatically download updates: Choose this option to automatically download and install updates of all kind — both important security patches as well as not-as-important non-security updates, like feature improvements and minor bugs.
We'll show a reminder when we're going to restart: Choose this option to automatically download updates of all kind — security, and non-security. You'll be told when Windows needs to restart to apply them, so that you can prepare by saving work, etc.
There is no official way to turn off automatic updating in Windows 10, nor is there a straightforward way to disable Windows Update altogether.
Here's what some of that other stuff on the Advanced Options screen is for:
Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows: This is pretty self-explanatory. We recommend checking this option so other Microsoft programs you have installed will get automatic updates, too, like Microsoft Office. (Updates for your Windows Store apps are handled in the Store. Open Settings from the Store and then toggle on or off the Update apps automatically option.)
Pause Updates: Enabling this will stop Windows from updating your computer for several days. When that time period is over, Windows Update will be forced to install the newest updates before you can pause them again.
Defer upgrades: Checking this lets you wait several months or more before major non-security updates will automatically install, like the ones that introduce new features to Windows 10. Defer upgrades does not impact security related patches and is not available in Windows 10 Home.
Choose the branch readiness level: Windows Update lets you choose when to install updates. You can pick Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted) which means the update is ready for most people, or Semi-Annual Channel which refers to updates that are ready for widespread use in organizations.
How To Turn Off Automatic Updates Windows 8.1 Rt
Choose how updates are delivered: These options, if you see them, allow you to enable or disable the downloading, as well as the uploading, of Windows Update related files around your local network or even the entire internet. Participating in the Updates from more than one place program helps speed up the Windows Update process in Windows 10.
Get insider builds: If you see it, it allows you to sign up to get early versions of major updates to Windows 10. When enabled, you'll have Fast or Slow options, indicating how soon after these Windows 10 test versions are made available that you'll get them.
How to Change Windows Update Settings in Windows 8, 7, & Vista
These three versions of Windows have very similar Windows Update settings but I'll call out any differences as we walk through the process.
- Open Control Panel. In Windows 8, the WIN+X Menu is the quickest way, and in Windows 7 & Vista, check the Start menu for the link.
- Tap or click System and Security, or just Security in Windows Vista.If you're viewing the Classic View, Large icons, or Small icons view of Control Panel, choose Windows Update instead and then skip to Step 4.
- Choose Windows Update from the System and Security window.
- Click or tap the Change settings link on the left.
- The settings you see on the screen right now control how Windows Update will look for, receive, and install updates from Microsoft.We recommend that you choose Install updates automatically (recommended) from the drop-down and then check all the other items on the page. This will make sure your computer receives and installs all the updates it needs.You can also customize the time that downloaded updates are installed. In Windows 8, this is behind the Updates will be automatically installed during the maintenance window link, and in Windows 7 & Vista, it's right there on the Windows Update screen.
- Tap or click OK to save the changes. Feel free to close any open windows related to Windows Update.
Here's a bit more on all of those options you have:
Install updates automatically (recommended): Choose this option to have Windows Update automatically check for, download, and install important security patches.
Download updates but let me choose whether to install them: Choose this to have Windows Update automatically check for and download important updates but not install them. You'll have to explicitly choose to install the updates either from Windows Update or during the next shutdown process.
Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them: With this option, Windows Update will check for and notify you of available updates but you'll need to manually approve the download and installation of them.
Never check for updates (not recommended): This option disables Windows Update completely in Windows 8, 7, or Vista. When you choose this, Windows Update won't even check with Microsoft to see if important security patches are available.
Here are what some of those other checkboxes mean, not all of which you'll see, depending on your version of Windows and how your computer is configured:
Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates: This option gives Windows Update permission to treat patches that Microsoft 'recommends' the same way as patches thought to be 'critical' or 'important,' and download and install them as you've selected in the drop-down box.
Allow all users to install updates on this computer: Check this if you have other, non-administrator accounts on your computer that actually get used. This will let those users install updates, too. However, even when unchecked, updates installed by an administrator will still get applied to those user accounts, they just won't be able to install them.
Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows: Check this option, which is a bit wordier in Windows 7 & Vista, if you own other Microsoft software and you want Windows Update to handle updating those as well.
Show me detailed notifications when new Microsoft software is available: This is pretty self-explanatory — check it if you want to get notifications, via Windows Update, when Microsoft software you don't have installed is available for your computer.
How to Change Windows Update Settings in Windows XP
Windows Update is more an online service than an integrated part of Windows XP, but the update settings can be set from within the operating system.
- Open Control Panel, usually via Start, and then its link on the right.
- Click Security Center.If you're viewing Control Panel in the Classic View, you won't see this link. Instead, double-click Automatic Updates and then skip to Step 4.
- Click the Automatic Updates link near the bottom of the window.
- These four options you see in the Automatic Updates window control how Windows XP gets updated.We highly recommend that you choose the Automatic (recommended) option and the everyday choice from the drop-down that appears underneath, along with a time you're not using your computer.Windows XP is no longer supported by Microsoft and so they no longer push updates to Windows XP. However, considering that exceptions could be made in the future and that you still might not have the most up to date patches and features, we recommended keeping the 'automatic' settings enabled.
Here are more details on what those four choices actually mean for your Windows Update experience in Windows XP:
Automatic (recommended): Windows Update will automatically check for, download, and install updates, with no input from you needed.
Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them: Updates will be checked for, and downloaded, from Microsoft's servers, but they won't be installed until you manually approve them.
Notify me but don't automatically download or install them: Windows Update will check for new updates from Microsoft, and let you know about them, but they won't be downloaded and installed until you say so.
Turn off Automatic Updates: This option completely disables Windows Update in Windows XP. You won't even be told that updates are available. You can, of course, still visit the Windows Update website yourself and check for any new patches.
Disabling Windows Update & Turning Off Automatic Updates
While it is possible, at least prior to Windows 10, we do not recommend completely disabling Windows Update. At the very least, make sure you choose an option where you're notified of new updates, even if you choose not to have them automatically download or install.
And on that thought..we also do not recommend turning off automatic updating. Letting Windows Update check, download, and automatically install updates is a very good way to make sure you're protected from being exploited by security issues after they're discovered. Yes, at least in Windows 8, 7, and Vista, you could compromise by making that critical 'install' part up to you, but that's just one more thing you have to remember to do.
Bottom line: we say keep it simple by keeping it automatic.