How to turn off automatic updates in Windows

Microsoft has done a great job making Windows updates simpler. However, Windows automatic updates can often be a problem, using your Internet connection in the background, and applying updates when you’re not ready for them. Here’s how to turn off automatic updates in Windows.

Read more: Here’s how to stop Windows 11 update

quick answer

To temporarily turn off automatic updates in Windows, go to Windows Settings -> Update and security -> Windows Update -> Advanced Options -> Pause updates, and select the date. To permanently turn off automatic updates in Windows, open the Group Policy Editor by searching gpedit.mscand go to computer configuration -> Administrative templates -> windows elements -> windows Modernization -> initialization automatic Updatesclick disableand click yes.


Go to the main sections

How to turn off automatic updates in Windows

This is a quick way to stop updates in Windows, but it only lets you pause them until a specific date.

open the Settings The application by searching for it in the search.

Windows 10 Settings app

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Windows 10 Settings Update SettingsWindows 10 Settings Update Settings

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In the left navigation pane, click Yes Windows Update. It should be selected by default. click Advanced Options.

Windows 10 advanced update settingsWindows 10 advanced update settings

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Scroll down to File Pause updates Section. tap on Select a date dropdown menu button.

Windows 10 Paused UpdateWindows 10 Paused Update

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Select the date you want to pause updates until.

Windows 10 update pausedWindows 10 update paused

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Click the back arrow in the upper left corner to return to the Windows Update screen. You will see that it says updates are paused. Automatic updates will resume following the specified date.

Read more: How to install Windows 11

How to turn off automatic updates in Windows completely

To permanently turn off automatic updates in Windows, you will need to use the Windows Group Policy Editor.

In Windows search, type Edit Group Policy And click on the first result. You can also write gpedit.msc To find the Group Policy Editor.

Windows 10 Search Group Policy EditorWindows 10 Search Group Policy Editor

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In the left navigation pane, click Yes Administrative Templates under computer configuration.

Windows 10 Group Policy Editor Admin TemplatesWindows 10 Group Policy Editor Admin Templates

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In the right pane, double-click Windows components. Scroll down to Windows Updateand double-click it.

Windows 10 Windows Component Group Policy EditorWindows 10 Windows Component Group Policy Editor

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You find Configure automatic updatesand double-click it.

Windows 10 Group Policy Editor Windows UpdateWindows 10 Group Policy Editor Windows Update

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A configuration dialog will appear. Click the radio button that says Helpless. click Progressingand click yes.

Windows 10 disables automatic updatesWindows 10 disables automatic updates

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You can open Windows Update settings to check for the change. It will display a warning regarding update policies, and automatic updates are disabled.

Windows 10 updates are disabledWindows 10 updates are disabled

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That’s it. Note that you might miss some important Windows updates, including security patches and Microsoft Defender definitions. You can still update Windows manually from Settings.


Read more: How to update drivers on Windows 10

questions and answers

You’re unlikely to encounter immediate problems, but over time you may miss security patches and Microsoft Defender updates, putting your computer at risk.

Yes, it’s okay to pause Windows Update, but make sure you get important updates to avoid any risk to the safety of your computer.

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