How to turn off automatic updates in Windows 10

To protect your operating system, you need to regularly update it to the latest version. Which means it's good that Windows 10 has automatic updates enabled. Updates not only eliminate errors and vulnerabilities of the system, but also add new functions to it. However, some people may not like this independence. In this article, you will learn how to turn off all kinds of automatic updates on Windows 10.

Choose method

• Disabling updates completely in Windows: Learn how to disable operating system updates through Windows Update here. Windows Update will stop working until you turn it back on.
• Manual system update: Learn how to manually install OS updates delivered through Windows Update without letting Windows 10 install them for you. Security updates will still be installed automatically.
• Turn off automatic updates for the Windows Store app: Learn how to turn off automatic updates for the Windows Store app here.
• Disable automatic driver updates: Learn how to prevent the automatic installation and update of hardware drivers, software, and device icons.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Disable Windows Updates Completely (Services.msc)

Step 1. Start Services.msc

Click on the search bar on the taskbar and enter services. Click on the respective application in the search results.

• If there is no search bar on the taskbar, it might be hidden. To search, click on the "Start" button

• 

  and enter your text.

Step 2. Find and double click on the "Windows Update" option

To do this, you will most likely have to lower the list to the very bottom.

Or right-click on Windows Update and select Properties

Step 3. Next to the Startup Type option, select Disabled

To re-enable updates, simply select the Automatic option from the drop-down menu

Step 4. Stop Windows Update

Click the Stop button below the drop-down menu.

Step 5. Save changes and exit

To do this, click on the OK button.

Method 2 of 4: Installing Updates Manually by Limiting Connectivity

Step 1. Connect to the Internet

Click on the WiFi icon

or Network in Action Center.

Step 2. Open the Windows Settings app

Open the start menu

and then click on the gear icon

To quickly open the Windows Settings app on Windows 10, press ⊞ Win + I at the same time

Step 3. Click on

Network and Internet.

Step 4. Select your current connection in the left pane

Most likely, it will be either Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

Or click on the link "Change network settings" in the main window and go directly to the sixth step

Step 5. Click on the name of the current connection in the central part of the window

Usually there is only one connection here.

Step 6. Limit the connection

Move the slider

Set as metered connection to On. Now the connection will be metered.

• To turn automatic updating back on, you will have to turn off connection restriction. Just move the slider

• 

  to the "Off" position.

Method 3 of 4: Disable Windows Store Automatic Updates

Step 1. Launch Windows Store

Click on the Store icon

on the taskbar. Or find it through the search function.

Step 2. Click on the drop-down menu button ⋯ (in older versions this is the avatar / user icon) next to the search bar at the top of the window

After that, a drop-down menu with several options will appear on the screen.

Step 3. Go to the application settings

Click on Settings in the dropdown menu.

Step 4. Turn off updates

Move the slider

under the phrase "Update applications automatically" to the "Off" position. This option is at the very top of the settings page.

If this setting is already disabled, then Windows Store automatic updating is already disabled

Method 4 of 4: Disable Automatic Driver Updates

Step 1. Open the "System Properties" window

Enter the word extra in the search bar on the taskbar. Select the "Advanced System Settings" option.

Step 2. Go to the Hardware tab

Step 3. Open "Device Installation Options"

Click the Device Installation Settings button.

Step 4. Disable automatic driver updates

A new window will appear on the screen. Click on the "No" button

If it's already selected, then don't do anything. Just close the window by clicking on the ✕ in the upper right corner of the window

Step 5. Save your changes

Click on the Save button. There is a blue and yellow shield on the left side of the button.

Advice

Microsoft often releases updates on the second Tuesday of the month. It is also called Patch Tuesday. If you decide to manually install updates on your computer, check for them every second Tuesday of the month

Warnings

• If you turn off Windows Update, your computer becomes vulnerable to malware. We strongly recommend that you do not disable updates.
• There are tons of articles on the Internet that advise you to use the Group Policy Editor to manage Windows Update. After the Anniversary Update, this method no longer works.