By default, Windows 10 searches for, downloads, and installs updates automatically. Compared to earlier iterations of the operating system, it is more challenging to turn off Windows auto updates. Nevertheless, it is feasible to accomplish this by utilizing third-party programs or the OS administrative tools.
Solution #1: Disable Windows Update Service. Open Services.Msc
Press the Windows logo key + R at the same time to invoke the Run box. Type services.msc and press Enter.
Double-click on Windows Update Service
Scroll down the service list to Windows Update and double-click it.
In Window with Startup Type Select Option Disabled
In Startup type window select Disabled. Then click Apply and OK to save the settings.
Solution #2: Change the Setting of the Group Policy Editor
The Home edition does not have the Group Policy feature. Therefore, you may only use the Group Policy Editor to modify the settings to stop Windows 10 from updating automatically when you are running Windows 10 Professional, Enterprise, or Education. New updates will be alerted to you by the local group policy editor, but they won’t be installed automatically.
After typing gpedit.msc and pressing the Windows logo key + R, click OK.
Navigate to Administrative Templates > Computer Configuration > Windows Components > Windows Update.
Configure Automatic Updates by double-clicking.
To turn off Windows’ automatic update feature, select Disabled from the Configured Automatic Updates menu on the left, then click —Apply and OK.
Note: If you need to upgrade your Windows version later, repeat the steps above and select Enabled to enable this option, allowing you to continue downloading updates.
Solution #3: Change the Way of Windows 10 Updates Using Registry
- Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.
- Type regedit, and click OK to open the Registry.
- Browse the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
- Right-click the Windows (folder) key, select New, and then click Key.
- Name the new key WindowsUpdate and press Enter.
- Right-click the newly created key, select new, and click Key.
- Name the new key AU and press Enter.
- Inside the newly created key, right-click on the right side, select New, and click on DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name the new key AUOptions and press Enter.
- Double-click the newly created key and change its value to 2. It’s for “Notify for download and notify for install”. Click OK.
- Close the Registry to complete the task.
