How to Disable Automatic Update on Windows 10
Auto updates are automatic software updates that are designed to improve the security and performance of a device. In the case of Windows 10, auto updates help to keep the operating system and installed programs up to date with the latest security patches and performance enhancements.
These updates are important because they help to protect the device from potential security vulnerabilities and improve its overall performance. Installing updates can also fix issues that may be causing problems with the device, such as errors or crashes.
It is generally recommended to keep auto updates turned on to ensure that your device is running at its best and to keep it secure.
While auto updates are generally a beneficial feature, there may be instances when a user may want to turn them off. One reason for this is to conserve data usage, particularly if the device is connected to a limited data plan or if the user is in an area with poor internet connectivity.
Another reason is to avoid disruptions during critical tasks, such as when the device is being used for an important presentation or when the user is working on a deadline.
In these cases, turning off auto updates can prevent the device from automatically downloading and installing updates at inconvenient times.
However, it is important to note that turning off auto updates may leave the device vulnerable to security vulnerabilities and may cause issues with the performance of the device if updates are not installed regularly
How to turn off auto updates in Windows 10
1. Navigate to the "Settings" menu by clicking on the Start button and selecting the gear icon.
2. Click on "Update & Security" in the Settings menu.
3. In the "Windows Update" section, click on the "Advanced options" button.
4. Under "Choose how updates are installed," select the option to "Notify to schedule restart." This will allow you to choose when to install updates rather than having them installed automatically.
5. If you want to completely turn off auto updates, you can select the option to "Pause updates" for up to 35 days. Note that this option may not be available on all devices.
Alternative methods to turn off auto updates
1. If the above method does not work or you prefer a different method, you can also turn off auto updates by changing your network connection to "Metered." This can be done by going to the "Network & Internet" settings, selecting the network you are connected to, and toggling the "Set as metered connection" switch to "On." Note that this may not work for all types of connections.
2. Another option is to use the Group Policy Editor, which is a tool that allows you to manage advanced system settings. To access the Group Policy Editor, press the Windows key + R, type "gpedit.msc," and press Enter. In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to "Computer Configuration" > "Administrative Templates" > "Windows Components" > "Windows Update." Here, you can disable auto updates by setting the "Configure Automatic Updates" policy to "Disabled." Note that the Group Policy Editor is only available on Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise editions.
Conclusion
There are several methods for turning off auto updates in Windows 10. One method is to use the Settings app. To do this, go to the "Update & Security" section in the Settings app and click on the "Advanced options" link. From there, you can toggle the "Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows" option to off. Another method is to use the Group Policy editor. To do this, press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, then type "gpedit.msc" and press Enter. In the Group Policy editor, navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update. From there, you can double-click the "Configure Automatic Updates" policy and set it to "Disabled." A third method is to use the Registry editor. To do this, press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, then type "regedit" and press Enter. In the Registry editor, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows. From there, you can create a new key called "WindowsUpdate" and then create a new DWORD value called "AutoUpdate" and set its value to 0.
Each of these methods has its own pros and cons. Using the Settings app is the easiest and most straightforward method, but it may not be available on all versions of Windows 10. Using the Group Policy editor is a more advanced method that allows you to have more control over the update process, but it requires access to the Group Policy editor, which may not be available on all versions of Windows 10. Using the Registry editor is also a more advanced method that allows you to have even more control over the update process, but it requires access to the Registry editor and can be risky if you do not know what you are doing, as modifying the Registry can have unintended consequences if done improperly.