Looking for ways how to control windows 10 Automatic update installation? Or you have experienced Previously windows 10 auto-update/upgrade broken your system settings, face different problems like store app/start menu stopped working, apps start misbehaving etc. And this time you are looking to stop windows 10 updates to download and install automatically. If you’re running a professional version of Windows 10 (Professional, Enterprise or Education), you actually can disable windows 10 automatic updates using the Group Policy editor. But like most people, if you are using Windows 10 Home (Where the group policy feature not available). Here is how to disable automatic updates on windows 10 Home.
Disable automatic updates windows 10 Home
Microsoft regularly rollout windows updates with feature and security improvements, and bug fixes to fix the security hole created by third-party applications. So an up-to-date operating system is a secure operating system. And with Windows 10 Microsoft Decided to Windows 10 automatically checks for, download and install new updates to your PC whether you like it or not. But everyone doesn’t like Windows automatically download and install updates. And windows didn’t leave any options to control these options. But don’t worry here we have 3 Tweaks to disable automatic updates on windows 10.
Note: automatic updates are typically a good thing and I recommend leaving them on in general. As such these methods should primarily be used for preventing a troublesome update from automatically reinstalling (the dreaded crash loop) or stopping a potentially troublesome update from installing in the first place.
Tweak windows registry
This is the best method to control Windows 10 Automatic updates installation for both Windows 10 home And pro users. As Windows 10 Home users don’t have group policy feature Tweak registry editor is the best way to stop windows 10 Automatic update installation.
Press Windows + R, type regedit and click ok to open the windows registry editor. Now first backup the registry database and navigate to the following path.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
Here Right-click the Windows (folder) key, select New -> Key and Rename it to WindowsUpdate.
Again Right-click the newly created key (WindowsUpdate), select new -> Key And name the new key AU.
Now right-click on AU, select New and click DWord (32-bit) Value and rename it to AUOptions.
Double-click on AUOptions key. Set the base as “Hexadecimal” and change its value data using any of the below-mentioned value:
- 2 – “Notify for download and notify for install”.
- 3 – “Auto download and notify for install”.
- 4 – “Auto download and schedule the install”.
- 5 – “Allow local admin to choose the settings”.
You can use any of these available values, your best choice is to change the value to 2 to configure the “Notify for download and notify for install” option. Using this value prevents Windows 10 from downloading updates automatically, and you’ll get a notification when new updates are available. Note: When you want to re-enable (windows update) then either delete AUOptions or change its value data to 0.
Disable the Windows Update service
>Windows Update service can detect, download and install the Windows updates and programs. Once disabled, you can not use the Windows automatic update feature, and programs will not be able to automatically download and install. This is another best way to stop windows 10 Updates from automatically download and install.
To do this Press Windows + R, type services.msc and hit the enter key. This will open windows services, scroll down and look for Windows update service. When you got simply double-click on it on properties Change the Startup type Disable and Stop the service if it’s running. Now click the Recovery tab, select Take No Action in the First failure section, then click Apply and OK to save the setting.
Whenever you change your mind to re-enable Windows Update simply repeat these steps, but change the Startup Type to ‘Automatic’ And Start the service.
Setup metered connection
Windows 10 offers users on metered connections a compromise to save bandwidth. Microsoft confirms the operating system will only automatically download and install updates it classifies as ‘Priority’. So whether it is Windows 10 home or professional does not permit the Windows Update files to download when the metered connection is functional.
Note: If your PC uses an Ethernet cable to connect to the Internet the Metered Connection option will be disabled as it works with Wi-Fi connections only.
Setup your internet connection as metered Open Settings -> Network & Internet. On the left side select WiFi, Double click on your wifi connection and Toggle ‘Set as metered connection’ to On.
Now, Windows 10 will assume that you have a limited data plan on this network and won’t download all updates over it automatically.
Turn the Battery Saver on
This is another option To Disable Automatic Updates on Windows 10. You can use the opportunity of enabling a Battery saver setting. Go to Settings -> System -> Battery and click on the toggle the respective setting towards On mode.
Also, you can control it with a single click on Action Center, Or by clicking on the Battery icon on the system tray.
Tweak Group policy editor
This solution is not applicable for Windows 10 Home users, Because of Group policy feature not available for on Windows 10 Home users.
This is one more method to control Disable windows 10 Automatic updates. It works only for Windows 10 Pro (Professional, Enterprise or Education) users. To do this type gpedit.msc on start menu search and hit the enter key. On group policy window navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update.
On middle pane double-click on the Configure Automatic Updates and select the radio button Enabled. Now Under Configure automatic updating, select option 2 – “Notify for download and auto install” to stop the automatic installation of updates. Click Apply then OK and restart windows to successfully apply these settings.
That’s all you have successfully disable automatic updates on Windows 10 Home. Still have any queries, suggestions or any other ways to stop Windows 10 updates that you know. Feel free to share in the comments below.