Unlike previous versions of Windows, in Windows 10 it is not easy to disable automatic system updates (Windows Update). Before we could choose whether to download them automatically or not, when and how to install them. But in Windows 10 - unless we have the Enterprise version installed - the process is a bit complicated.
Since the Windows Update May 2019, the system already allows us to choose when we want to download and install updates. However, Microsoft does not allow you to delay updates indefinitely, forcing you to update to new versions when the company stops supporting older versions. This is, for example, what will happen at the end of June with the Windows 10 update deployed in April of last year (2018).
How to disable automatic updates in Windows 10
Luckily, although it is a bit more complicated, we can still disable automatic updates in Windows 10. There are 3 different ways:
- Disabling the Windows Update service.
- Creating a group policy.
- Enabling metered connections.
Disable the Windows Update service
A somewhat badass but quite effective method is to disable Windows Update from the services panel. Writes "services”In Cortana, or right-click on the Windows start button, click on«Run" and writes "services.msc”. Both paths will take us to the Windows services panel.
Now we just have to locate the service named "Windows update", Double click on it, mark the start type as"Disabled”And save the changes.
Restart your computer and Windows will no longer download or install any updates. If you want to go back you can always re-enable the service start type to automatic mode. A bit far-fetched but easy to carry out.
Disable updates by creating a group policy
Another option to get rid of automatic updates is to create a group policy with the GPE editor. Open the “Run"(You can press the" Windows "key + R to make it more comfortable) and type"gpedit.msc”.
Scroll down the left menu until you get to "Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Update”And right-click on“Edit" on "Configure automatic updates”.
A new editing window will open in which you only have to check the option "Disabled”And apply the changes.
Restart your PC and goodbye to automatic updates.
Activate metered connections
Go ahead that this last pass only works for wireless / WiFi connections. That is, it is mainly oriented to laptops. We just have to go to “Start -> Settings -> Network and Internet -> WiFi -> Advanced options"And activate"Metered-use connections”.
How to disable automatic app updates
If we want to continue receiving Windows 10 security patches and updates, we can also perform an action that is halfway through, and that consists of disabling only automatic updates dedicated to applications.
To do this we just have to press the start button and open the «Shop»From Windows 10. Next we will«Setting»Within our user profile.
Once inside, we simply have to disable the "Automatically update applications" option as shown in the image below.
Note: This configuration option in the Windows Store is available starting with the Windows 10 August 2015 Cumulative Update.
Here is a short video with instructions on how to carry out these 3 processes:
Disabling Windows 10 Automatic Updates Using a Script
I want to take advantage of the last lines of this tutorial to add a new activation / deactivation method. In this case, it consists of creating a script that we will create in a simple text file.
Script to disable updates
To do this, we open the notepad and write the following command lines:
sc config wuauserv start = disable
sc config bits start = disable
sc config DcomLaunch start = disable
net start wuauserv
net stop wuauserv
net start bits
net stop bits
net stop DcomLaunch
Next, we save the file and rename the extension from ".txt" to ".bat". Enough with run this file as Administrator so that the service that manages the updates (wuauserv) becomes disabled.
Script to reactivate updates
In the same way, we can also create another script that does the opposite, that is, re-activate the aforementioned service wuauserv. The commands in this case:
sc config wuauserv start = auto
sc config bits start = auto
sc config DcomLaunch start = auto
net stop wuauserv
net start wuauserv
net stop bits
net start bits
net start DcomLaunch
Likewise, we save the file again and change the extension from ".txt" to ".bat". We execute it with administrator user permissions, and that's it.
Note: Many thanks to Oscar for contributing this method in the comments area.
You see, disabling automatic updates has become a bit more complicated than before, but it is still possible. It's possible!
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