Microsoft has done a great job of making Windows OS updates simpler. However, automatic updates in Windows can often be a headache, using up 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 the Windows 11 update
QUICK ANSWER
To turn off automatic updates in Windows temporarily, go to Windows Settings -> Update & Security -> Windows Update -> Advanced options -> Pause updates, and select the date. To turn off automatic updates in Windows permanently, open Group Policy Editor by searching gpedit.msc, and go to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Update -> Configure Automatic Updates, click Disable, and click OK.
JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS
How to pause automatic updates in Windows
This is a quick way to stop updates in Windows, but it only lets you temporarily pause them until a specified date.
Open the Settings app by looking for it in search.
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In the left navigation pane, click Windows Update. It should be selected by default. Click Advanced options.
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Scroll down to the Pause updates section. Click the Select date dropdown button.
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Select the date until which you want to pause the updates.
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Click the Back arrow in the top left corner to go back to the Windows Update screen. You’ll see that it says Updates paused. The automatic updates will resume after the selected date.
Read more: How to install Windows 11
How to completely turn off automatic updates in Windows
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 the first result. You can also type gpedit.msc to find the group policy editor.
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In the left navigation pane, click Administrative Templates under Computer Configuration.
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In the right pane, double-click Windows Components. Scroll down to Windows Update, and double-click it.
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Find Configure Automatic Updates, and double-click it.
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The configuration dialog box will pop up. Click the radio button that says Disabled. Click Apply, and click OK.
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You can open your Windows Update settings to check the change. It will display a warning about update policies, and automatic updates being disabled.
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That’s all. Note that you may miss some crucial Windows updates, including security patches and Microsoft Defender definitions. You can still manually update Windows from the settings.
Read more: How to update drivers on Windows 10
FAQs
You’re unlikely to face ay immediate issues, but over time you may miss out on security patches and Microsoft Defender updates, putting your PC at risk.
Yes, it is okay to pause Windows Update, but make sure you grab the crucial updates to avoid any risk to your computer’s safety.
