How to disable Windows updates permanently
By default, any modern version of Windows downloads updates in the background for future installation. Updates fix critical vulnerabilities in the system's core, add new security features, and expand capabilities.
There are cases when new updates, on the contrary, lead to unstable operation. This can be noticeable with old applications, which are not officially supported in this version of the OS. To resolve this issue, the user must roll back the system to the latest stable version and disable updates in Windows permanently. We will explain this process in more detail.
Currently, Microsoft officially supports two versions of the operating system - Windows 10 and 11. We will consider the process of deactivating updates in these systems.
Loading Windows Updates in the Background
Most Windows processes, including updates, are processed in the background. This is convenient until the operating system starts consuming almost all of the computer/laptop's available resources.
The second way to check the loading is through the "Resource Monitor", which opens using "Run" (Win + R). In the input field, enter without quotes - "resmon". After that, go to the last tab, "Network", and check the most resource-intensive process. Terminate it by right-clicking on the process and selecting "End Process".
To close the Windows Update process, you need to:
- Open the "Task Manager".
- In the first tab, "Processes", sort the tasks by network usage.
- The update center loads the process - "Service Node: Delivery Optimization".
- Right-click on the process and select "End Task".
- Proceed to disable updates in the system.
Method #1
The Windows Registry is an internal database of Windows that stores hardware and software information, parameter and setting records. It can be used to finely tune the system and disable update downloads.
To disable updates, follow these steps:
- In the search bar on the taskbar, enter "registry" and select "Registry Editor" from the search results.
- Go to the third folder - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, the SOFTWARE -> Polices folder, then MICROSOFT -> WINDOWS.
- Right-click on the WINDOWS folder, select "New" -> "Key". Name the key "WindowsUpdate".
- In the "WindowsUpdate" key, right-click and create a new key "AU". In the new key, create a "DWORD (32-bit) Value" by following the same procedure. Name the value "NoAutoUpdate".
- Right-click "NoAutoUpdate" and change the value data to "1".
- After restarting the system, automatic updates will stop working.
Method #2
The Group Policy Editor is a Windows component used to manage user accounts and provide users with access to manage group settings specifically for the selected device. It can also be used to disable updates in Windows 10 and 11.
The process of disabling updates consists of the following:
- In the search field on the taskbar or through the "Start" menu, enter "group" and go to "Edit Group Policy".
- Expand the folder "Administrative Templates", then "Windows Components", and look for "Windows Update" in this folder.
- In this folder, select "Windows Update Interface Management", and in the new window, look for "Configure Automatic Updates" and select the "Disabled" option.
- Apply the setting and restart the PC.
Method #3
In Windows 10/11, you can configure a metered connection to save bandwidth. As the main function, this is not very relevant for users with unlimited tariffs, but it can help reduce the number of updates received when using the network.
In Windows 10, go to "Settings" or press the "Win + I" key combination. Go to the "Network & Internet" section, then the third item "Wi-Fi". In the wireless network section, select "Manage Known Networks". Choose the Wi-Fi connection, open it, and select "Set as metered connection". Similarly, do it for "Ethernet" networks. You can manually set the traffic limit through the corresponding setting on the settings page.
In Windows 11, the configuration process is identical, with the only difference being the changed user interface. Go to "Network & Internet", then select the network type and move the toggle switch to the on position next to "Metered connection".
Method #4
Windows Services are automatically running programs executed by the operating system itself that perform tasks in a hidden mode. Windows has its own service manager, through which you can suspend the update service.
To disable the service, follow these instructions:
- Go to the "Run" dialog by using the "Win + R" key combination or through the "Start" menu.
- In the "Open" field, enter without quotes - "services.msc" and press "Enter".
- Scroll down and open the "Windows Update" service.
- In the "Properties: Windows Update ..." window, go to the "Startup type" section and select "Disabled". Then click the "Start" and "Stop" buttons.
- Confirm the changes made and restart the PC.
Method #5
Windows Update Blocker is a third-party free program for Windows 10 that permanently disables updates in the system. The software can be downloaded from the official developer's website at "https://www.sordum.org/9470/windows-update-blocker-v1-7/". Scroll down the page and download the installation file.
After downloading, open "Wub.exe" and launch the program, agreeing to make changes to the device. In the program window, check the "Disable updates" option and click the "Apply" button. In the "Service Status" window, a red icon should appear. Restart the personal computer.
As a result, the utility disables updates by making changes through the "Windows Update" service. To enable updates, repeat all the steps in reverse.
The methods described above are sufficient to disable updates in Windows 10/11. We recommend performing updates and checking for conflicts with constantly used software every 3 months. Usually, within this period, all errors are fixed. Additionally, some programs, especially games, may not work without specific system builds (1903, 2004, etc.).
