Alex Ruben
How To Turn Off Automatic Updates on Windows 10 and 11
Messing with Windows updates can be a double-edged sword. Sometimes they sneak in at the worst moments or cause more hassle than they’re worth—especially if you’re in the middle of something important. This guide covers the core steps to turn off automatic updates on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. Doing this gives you the peace of mind to pick when to update or maybe pause things until you’re ready. Just a heads up: blocking updates also means missing out on security patches, so be sure to check manually now and then.
Prerequisites
Before jumping into the nitty-gritty, make sure you have:
- Administrator privileges on your machine.
- A stable internet connection — just in case you decide to do a manual update later.
How to Disable Windows Updates in Windows 10/11
Access the Services Application
This part is simple but kinda weird how Windows named it “Services”. It’s where a lot of background stuff, including the update service, lives. Usually, this is the fastest way to control the update process.
- Press Win + R to open the Run dialog. Yeah, that little box that pops up.
- Type
services.mscand hit Enter. Bam, the Services window opens.
Locate and Disable the Windows Update Service
This is the core part. The Windows Update service is what fetches and applies updates behind the scenes.
- Scroll through and find Windows Update in the list. Looks like a gear icon or just plain text.
- Right-click on it, then pick Properties.
Stop the Service and Set Startup to Disabled
This is where the magic happens, or at least it did for me. When you set the startup type to Disabled, Windows won’t start that service automatically anymore. Just remember, sometimes after major updates or reboots, Windows might try to re-enable or override this setting, so check back if updates still seem to be sneaking through.
- In the Properties window, under the General tab, find the Startup type dropdown and choose Disabled.
- Click Stop to halt the service if it’s running. It’s usually the button below the startup options.
- Hit Apply and OK. That should do the trick.
Configure Recovery Options to Prevent Automatic Restarts
Since Windows can sometimes restart the update service automatically after a reboot, it’s worth setting the recovery options to do nothing upon failure. This is kinda overkill but helps prevent some automated attempts to re-enable updates.
- Click on the Recovery tab in the same properties window.
- Set all options—First failure, Second failure, & Subsequent failures—to Take no action.
- Click Apply and OK.
Final Step: Make Sure the Service Is Stopped
If it’s not already stopped, hit the Stop button in the service properties window. Confirm it’s no longer running. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
- Close the properties window after confirming the service isn’t running.
Extra Tips & Common Pitfalls
Sometimes, Windows is weird and resets these settings after a major update. So if updates start creeping in again, just revisit these steps. Also, if you need to install urgent security patches, temporarily re-enable the service, do the update, then disable again. And watch out for other software that might manage updates independently—like some driver updaters or company-specific tools. Basically, don’t freak out if this doesn’t work on the first try—Windows loves to make things tricky.
Conclusion
With these steps, automatic updates should be effectively disabled. It’s a good way to regain control over your system, especially if updates tend to break things or pop up at inconvenient times. But yeah, don’t forget that doing this also means you could miss security fixes unless you remember to check manually. Just a balancing act.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still manually update Windows after turning off auto-updates?
Yep. You can always go to Settings > Update & Security and pick “Check for updates” when you’re ready.
What if I want to turn auto-updates back on later?
Just revisit the Services app, find Windows Update, set the Startup type back to Manual, and click Start. Easy enough, but remember, Windows might tweak things after updates, so it pays to double-check.
Will disabling updates make my computer vulnerable?
Absolutely. If you turn them off completely, missing out on important security patches is a real risk. So, if you go this route, make sure to check for updates manually every now and then and apply critical patches. Otherwise, you’re kind of leaving yourself exposed.
Wrap-up
Blocking Windows Updates isn’t foolproof, but it’s usually enough to keep them at bay for a while. If it’s done right, updates shouldn’t bother you, and your system stays stable. Just keep an eye on the security side if you go down this path. Fingers crossed this helps someone to regain some control over their machine — because yeah, Windows can be stubborn about this stuff.