Windows 10 is designed to automatically update itself to ensure your computer has the latest security patches and improvements. However, there might be instances where you prefer to have more control over when updates are installed. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to turn off automatic updates in Windows 10.
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1. Open Windows Settings:
To get started, open the Windows Settings app. You can do this by clicking on the “Start” button in the bottom left corner of your screen and then selecting the gear-shaped “Settings” icon.
2. Go to Update & Security:
In the Settings window, locate and click on the “Update & Security” option. This will take you to the Windows Update settings.
3. Access Advanced Options:
Within the Windows Update settings, click on the “Advanced options” link. This will provide you with additional options to control how updates are downloaded and installed.
4. Pause Updates:
Under the “Advanced options” section, you’ll find various settings related to updates. To temporarily stop updates from being downloaded and installed, you can use the “Pause updates” option. This will give you a bit of control over when updates are applied.
5. Change Active Hours:
Another way to have more control over updates is by adjusting your active hours. This ensures that Windows won’t restart your computer for updates during the times you’re typically using it. Click on the “Change active hours” link to set a time range when you’re actively using your computer.
6. Metered Connection:
If you’re using a metered internet connection, Windows will automatically limit the download of certain updates. To enable this feature, go to the “Advanced options” section and toggle on the switch under “Metered connection.”
7. Group Policy (Windows Pro and Enterprise):
If you’re using Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise, you can use the Group Policy editor to completely disable automatic updates. Press “Windows” key + “R” to open the Run dialog, then type “gpedit.msc” and press Enter. Navigate to “Computer Configuration” > “Administrative Templates” > “Windows Components” > “Windows Update.” Double-click on “Configure Automatic Updates” and select “Disabled” to turn off automatic updates.
8. Registry Editor (Advanced Users):
For advanced users, it’s possible to disable automatic updates through the Registry Editor. Press “Windows” key + “R” to open the Run dialog, then type “regedit” and press Enter. Navigate to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate” and create a new “DWORD (32-bit) Value” named “NoAutoUpdate.” Set its value to “1” to disable automatic updates.
Conclusion:
By following these steps, you can easily gain more control over automatic updates in Windows 10. Whether you choose to pause updates, set active hours, or use more advanced methods, you’ll be able to tailor your update experience to your preferences while still keeping your system secure.