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How to Stop Windows 10 Auto Updates

Updates are automatically installed on Windows 10, this guide will help you regain control and decide when to install which update. There are two ways to prevent auto updates:

  1. Using Local Group Policy Editor.
  2. Using Registry.

Preventing Automatic Updates Using Local Group Policy Editor

Step 1: Use Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the run command window.

Step 2: Type in gpedit.msc to open the local group policy editor.

Step 3: Go to the following path:

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Update

Step 4: Right-click the "Configure Automatic Updates policy" and then click on Edit.

Step 5: Check the Enabled option to enable the policy.

Step 6: You will have four options to choose from:

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 setting."

Probably, 2 - "Notify for download and notify for install" is the best option for you.

Step 7: Click Apply.

Step 8: Click OK.

When new updates are released, you will receive a notification in the Action Center. The new updates won't be downloaded or installed until you perform the following steps:

Step 1: Open Settings.

Step 2: Click Update and Security.

Step 3: Click Windows Update.

Step 4: Click Download and restart your PC to complete the process.

Preventing Automatic Updates Using the Registry

Step 1: Use Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the run command window.

Step 2: Type regedit and click OK to open the registry.

Step 3: Go to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

Step 4: Right-click the window. Scroll to New and then click on Key.

Step 5: Provide WindowsUpdate as the new key name and click on Key.

Step 6: Right-click the key you created in the above step, scroll to New and click Key.

Step 7: Name the new key AU and press Enter.

Step 8: Choose the key AU. Right click on the right side. Scroll to New and click DWORD (32-bit) value.

Step 9: Name the new key AUOptions and press the Enter key.

Step 10: Double click the AUOptions key and change it's value to '2' which means: Notify for download and notify for install.

Available options are:

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 settings."

Step 11: Click OK.

Step 12: Close the registry.

When new updates are released, you will receive a notification in the Action Center. Updates won't be installed until you download and install them by following these steps:

Step 1: Open Settings.

Step 2: Click Update and security.

Step 3: Click Windows Update.

Step 4: Click Download.

Step 5: Click Restart to complete the task.

Categories: Windows Windows 10
Karim Buzdar: About the Author: Karim Buzdar holds a degree in telecommunication engineering and holds several sysadmin certifications. As an IT engineer and technical author, he writes for various websites.
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