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TAKE CONTROL OF UPDATE

How to stop automatic updates on Windows 10

If you're fed up with Windows 10 installing updates automatically, then use this guide to stop this behavior and
decide when to install them.

MAURO HUCULAK 16 Sep 2019  82

  

On Windows 10, quality updates (or cumulative updates) always download and install automatically
as soon as they're ready for your device. While this approach makes sure that every computer has
the latest security patches, performance, and stability improvements, it's also among one of the
 
features that users complain the most.
Typically, it's because to apply updates, users are required to restart their devices, and because
updates are also known to (sometimes) cause problems negatively a ecting the user experience.

Whatever the reason it might be, depending on your edition of Windows 10, you can regain control
and stop automatic updates using Group Policy and Registry.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to block Windows Update from
automatically downloading and installing updates on your computer.

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 How to disable automatic updates using Settings

 How to disable automatic updates using Group Policy
 How to disable automatic updates using Registry

How to disable automatic updates using Settings

If you're looking to postpone updates, you don't need to disable the feature permanently. You can
pause updates until you're ready to install them. Using the Settings app, you can pause updates up
to 35 days.

Disabling all updates

To temporarily disable automatic updates on 

Windows 10, use these
 steps: 

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.

3. Click on Windows Update.

4. Click the Advanced options button.

 
5. Under the "Pause updates" sections, use the Pause until drop-down menu, and select how
long to disable automatic updates.

  

Once you complete the steps, your device will no longer receive updates of any kind until the day
you specified. When your device reaches the pause limit, you must allow Windows 10 to download
and install the latest updates to make the option available again.
 
If you want to undo the changes, you can use the same instructions, but on step No. 5, choose the
Select date option. Alternatively, you can click the Resume updates from the Windows Update
settings page.

Disabling security updates

In addition to temporarily disabling all updates, Windows 10 also o ers an option to defer only
quality updates up to 30 days.

To disable security updates on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Update & Security.

3. Click on Windows Update.

4. Click the Advanced options button.

  

5. Under the "Pause updates" sections, use the drop-down menu at the bottom of the page, and
select the number of days that you want to defer quality updates (if applicable).

 
After you complete the steps, your computer will not download and install monthly quality updates
until the schedule reaches its limit.

How to disable automatic updates using Group Policy

On Windows 10 Pro, you can use the Local Group Policy editor to disable automatic updates
permanently, or you can change the WindowsUpdate settings to decide when updates should
install.

Disabling updates

To permanently disable automatic updates on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for gpedit.msc and select the top result to launch the experience.

3. Navigate to the following path:

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows

Update

4. Double-click the Configure Automatic Updates policy on the right side.

 
5. Check the Disabled option to turn o the policy.

  

6. Click the Apply button.

 
7. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 will stop downloading updates automatically.

While automatic updates remains disabled, you can still download and install patches manually
from Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and clicking the Check for updates
button.

If you change your mind, you can always revert the changes using the same instructions, but on
step No. 5, make sure to select the Not Configured option.

Limiting updates

Alternatively, if turning o the policy isn't working, you can also try customizing the Windows
Update settings using Group Policy to limit the availability of updates on your device.

To control Windows Update settings with Group Policy, use these steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for gpedit.msc and select the top result to launch the experience.

3. Navigate to the following path:

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows

Update


4. Double-click the Configure Automatic Updates right side.
policy on the 

5. Check the Enable option to turn on the policy.

 
   
6. In the "Options" section, you'll find a number of options to configure automatic updates,
including:

 2 - Notify for download and auto install.

 3 - Auto download and notify for install.
 4 - Auto download and schedule the install.
 5 - Allow local admin to choose setting.

Quick tip: The closest option to disable automatic updates is the 2 - Notify for download and
auto install option, but you can select the option that best fits your situation.

 
   

7. Click the Apply button.

8. Click the OK button.

After completing the steps, updates will stop downloading automatically. However, when a new
update becomes available, you'll receive a notification to download and install updates manually
from the Windows Update settings page.
 
How to disable automatic updates using Registry
If you're running Windows 10 Pro, you can also disable automatic updates in two di erent ways
using the Registry.

Disabling updates

To permanently disable updates on Windows 10 modifying the Registry, use these steps:

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that editing the Registry is risky, and it can cause irreversible
damage to your installation if you don't do it correctly. It's recommended to make a full backup of
your PC before proceeding.

To permanently disable Windows Update using the Registry, use these steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for regedit and select the top result to launch the experience.

3. Navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

4. Right-click the Windows (folder) key, select New, and then click on Key.

  

5. Name the new key WindowsUpdate and press Enter.

6. Right-click the newly created key, select New, and click on Key.

 
 7. Name the new key AU and press Enter.
8. Right-click on the right side, select New, and click on DWORD (32-bit) Value.

  

9. Name the new key NoAutoUpdate and press Enter.

10. Double-click the newly created key and change its value from 0 to 1.

 
11. Click the OK button.
12. Restart your computer.

Once you complete the steps, Windows Update should stop trying to download and install updates
automatically on your device.

If you want to update manually, you can perform this task from Settings > Update & Security >
Windows Update, and clicking the Check for updates button.

Limiting updates
  
In the case that using the Registry to disable updates isn't working as expected, you can also use
the Registry to customize the Windows Update settings to prevent updates from installing
automatically.

To customize Windows Update settings to block updates with the Registry, use these steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for regedit and select the top result to launch the experience.
3. Navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

4. Right-click the Windows (folder) key, select New, and then click on Key.

 
5. Name the new key WindowsUpdate and press Enter.
6. Right-click the newly created key, select New, and click on Key.

  

7. Name the new key AU and press Enter.

8. Right-click on the right side, select New, and click on DWORD (32-bit) Value.

 
9. Name the new key AUOptions and press Enter.

10. Double-click the newly created key and change its value (number only) using one of the
following options:

 2 — Notify for download and auto install.

 3 — Auto download and notify for install.
 4 — Auto download and schedule the install.
 5 — Allow local admin to choose settings.
  
These options work similar to the Group Policy settings, and number 2 is the closest option to
disable Windows Update permanently. However, you can always select the setting the best
suits your situation.

 
11. Click the OK button.

12. Restart your computer.

After completing the steps, Windows 10 will stop installing updates automatically. However, you'll
receive notifications as soon as new quality updates are available, but they won't download and
install until you approve them manually.

You can always use the same instructions to restore the original settings, but on step No. 4, right-
click the WindowsUpdate key, and select the Delete option. Then reboot your device to complete
applying the settings.
  
Wrapping things up

Updates are crucial to safeguard your device and data and to improve the overall experience, as
such it's never recommended to use an unpatched computer. However, there are many scenarios
when disabling updates could make sense. For instance, when you may need to apply updates
manually, or you want to make sure that a particular update doesn't have any issues before
installing it on your laptop or desktop PC.

Also, this guide only stops monthly updates, which usually fix security vulnerabilities and improves
the stability of Windows 10. If you want to avoid automatic installs of feature updates, such as the
Windows 10 May 2019 Update, when the current installation is nearing the end of service, you need
to modify the settings to defer major releases.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the
following resources:

 Windows 10 on Windows Central – All you need to know

 
 Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks

 Windows 10 forums on Windows Central

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 Help & How To Windows 10

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INSTALLING WINDOWS 10

How to install Windows 10 from USB with UEFI support

About to install Windows 10 on a PC using UEFI? Use these steps to create a compatible USB bootable media
to perform this task.

MAURO HUCULAK 3 Jan 2020  28

  

 
Source: Windows Central

W hen you have to install a clean copy of 

Windows 10, typically,
you'll need a USB  bootable
media to start your device and continue with the setup wizard. However, if you're using a
computer that features a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI), instead of the legacy Basic
Input/Output System (BIOS), you have to make sure that the media will work with your
motherboard firmware type.

If you're using a newer firmware type, there are various methods that you can use to create a media
to install Windows 10 from USB. Although Microsoft doesn't say it aloud, you can use the Media
Creation Tool to download the installation files onto a removable drive with support for both UEFI
and legacy BIOS. Alternatively, you can also use Rufus, which is a third-party tool that makes it
easy to create an installation boot media with support for UEFI.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to create a USB flash drive that includes
UEFI support using the Microsoft Media Creation Tool and Rufus.

 How to create a Windows 10 UEFI boot media using Media Creation Tool
 How to create a Windows 10 UEFI boot media using Rufus tool

 
How to create a Windows 10 UEFI boot media using Media Creation Tool
If you have a system using UEFI, you can use the Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB
media to perform an in-place upgrade or clean installation of Windows 10.

To create a bootable media, connect a USB flash drive of at least 8GB of space, and then use these
steps:

1. Open Windows 10 download page.

2. Under the "Create Windows 10 installation media" section, click the Download tool now button
to save the file on your device.

  

Source: Windows Central

3. Double-click the MediaCreationToolxxxx.exe file to launch the tool.

4. Click the Accept button to agree to the Microsoft terms.

5. Select the Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC
option.

 
 Source: Windows Central

6. Click the Next button.

 for this PC option
7. Clear the Use the recommended options (if applicable). 
8. Select the correct language, architecture, and edition of Windows 10.

 
 Source: Windows Central

Quick tip: If you'll be installing Windows 10 on multiple devices running 32-bit and 64-bit
  
architectures, then use the "Architecture" drop-down menu and select the Both option.

9. Click the Next button.

10. Select the USB flash drive option.

 
 Source: Windows Central

11. Click the Next button

 you don't see the drive,
12. Select the removable drive from the list. (If  click the Refresh
drive list
option.)

 
 Source: Windows Central

13. Click the Next button.

14. Click the Finish button.   

Once you complete the steps, the tool will download the required files and create a bootable USB
flash drive with the Windows 10 installation files with support for UEFI and BIOS.

How to create a Windows 10 UEFI boot media using Rufus tool

If the Media Creation Tool isn't working, you can use Rufus to create an installation media with
UEFI support using an existing ISO file. Or you can also use the tool to download the Windows 10
files from the Microsoft servers and create the bootable flash media.

Creating boot media with Windows 10 ISO

To create a bootable media using a Windows 10 ISO file that you already have, connect a USB flash
drive of at least 8GB of space, and use these steps:

1. Open Rufus download page.

2. Under the "Download" section, click the latest release of the tool to save the file on your device.
 
 Source: Windows Central

3. Double-click the Rufus-x.x.exe file to launch the tool.

4. Under the "Device" section, select the USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space.

5. Under the "Boot selection" section, click the Select button on the right side.
6. Select the Windows 10 ISO file from its folder location.

7. Click the Open button.

8. Use the "Image option" drop-down menu to select the Standard Windows installation option.
  
9. Use the "Partition scheme" drop-down menu to select the GPT option.
10. Use the "Target system" drop-down menu to select the UEFI (non CSM) option.

 
   

Source: Windows Central

11. Under the "Show Advanced drive properties" section, leave the default settings.

12. Under the "Volume label" field, enter a descriptive name for the drive — for example,
"win10_1909_usb."

13. Under the "File system" and "Cluster size" section, leave the default settings.

14. Click the Show advanced format options button.

15. Select the "Quick format" and "Create extended label and icon files" options.

16. Click the Start button.

17. Click the OK button to confirm.

18. Click the Close button.

After you complete the steps, Rufus will create a bootable USB flash drive to install Windows 10
 
with the image that you provided.
Creating boot media downloading Windows 10 ISO

If you don't have a Windows 10 ISO file, you can use Rufus to download the ISO from the Microsoft
servers and create the bootable USB flash media. Connect a USB flash drive of at least 8GB of
space, and use these steps:

1. Open Rufus download page.

2. Under the "Download" section, click the latest release of the tool to save the file on your device.

Source: Windows Central

  
3. Double-click the Rufus-x.x.exe file to launch the tool.

4. Under the "Device" section, select the USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space.

5. Under the "Boot selection" section, click the arrow button next to the "Select" option, on the
right side, and choose the Download option.

 
   

Source: Windows Central

6. Click the Download button.

7. Use the "Version" drop-down menu and select Windows 10.

8. Click the Continue button.

9. Select the 19H2 (Build 18363.418 - 2019.11) option to download the Windows 10 November
2019 Update.
10. Click the Continue button.

11. Use the "Edition" drop-down menu and select the Windows 10 Home/Pro option.

12. Click the Continue button.

13. Use the "Language" drop-down menu and select your installation language.
14. Click the Continue button.
 
15. Use the "Architecture" drop-down menu and select the 32-bit or 64-bit (recommended).

16. Click the Download button.

Source: Windows Central

17. Select a folder location to temporarily download the ISO file from the Microsoft servers.

18. Click the Save button.

  
19. Use the "Image option" drop-down menu to select the Standard Windows installation option.
20. Use the "Partition scheme" drop-down menu to select the GPT option.

21. Use the "Target system" drop-down menu to select the UEFI (non CSM) option.

 
   

Source: Windows Central

22. Under the "Show Advanced drive properties" section, leave the default settings.

23. Under the "Volume label" field, enter a descriptive name for the drive — for example,
"win10_1909_usb."

24. Under the "File system" and "Cluster size" section, leave the default settings.

25. Click the Show advanced format options button.

26. Select the "Quick format" and "Create extended label and icon files" options.

27. Click the Start button.

28. Click the OK button to confirm.

29. Click the Close button.

Once you complete the steps, the tool will run the automated script to download the Windows 10

ISO file from the Microsoft servers. Then, it'll use that ISO to create a bootable media, which you 
can then use to install Windows 10 on devices using UEFI.

Now that you have a USB bootable media with support for UEFI, you can start your computer to
perform an in-place upgrade or clean installation of Windows 10.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the
following resources:

 Windows 10 on Windows Central – All you need to know

 Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks

 Windows 10 forums on Windows Central

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

 Help & How To Windows 10

 View Comments (28)

  

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