How to Disable Automatic Updates in Windows: 4 Quick Methods

Updates are essential for the development and health of our operating system but there are various reasons why a user may want to disable automatic updates. In this guide about How to disable automatic updates in Windows You will see step by step how to achieve it and what advantages and disadvantages this procedure may present. 

Many times Windows updates bring with them certain inconveniences that make It is not worth doing them, although they are important to keep our computer up to date, there may be people who do not want to do it. If you are one of them, stay on this article and learn how to disable automatic updates in Windows.

Why should I disable automatic updates in Windows?

 

Among the main reasons we find that updates often require a reboot, interrupting important tasks. On the other hand, software compatibility often causes problems with programs or drivers that have not been optimized for the latest version of Windows. 

Finally, Windows updates can consume Internet bandwidth and system resources, affecting performance during times of intensive work. So, you've already seen that there are various reasons to disable automatic update in windows. 

Below we will continue our guide on how to disable automatic updates in Windows by giving you the main steps so that you can know how to disable automatic updates in Windows. We warn you that it is a very easy and fast process that you can do without any further knowledge. Let's continue with how to disable automatic updates in Windows.

Pause updates from your computer settings 

This method is ideal if you want to disable automatic updates for a short period of time. Windows allows you to pause them for up to 35 days. We're getting closer to knowing how to disable automatic updates in Windows, right? 

1. Opens the Settings menu: Press the keys Windows + I to open the settings.
2. Select “Update and security”.
3. Go to “Windows Update”.
4. Click on “Pause updates for 7 days”If you need more time, you can click “Advanced Options” and choose a date to pause updates for up to 35 days.

If you choose this option, updates will not be downloaded or run until the period you set is over. Once this process is complete, it will resume without any problems. 

Since you are interested in Windows tutorials, you have to know that in Tecnobits We have many more, such as How to change the screen refresh rate in Windows 11.

Disable Windows Update Service

This method is more permanent, as it involves stopping the Windows Update service, preventing updates from running until you re-enable it. This method is one of the best for knowing how to disable automatic updates in Windows:

1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the dialog Run.
2. Write services.msc and press Enter.
3. In the Services window, scroll down and locate the service called Windows Update.
4. Right click on Windows Update and select Properties.
5. In the “Startup type” menu, select Disabled.
6. Click on Apply and later Accept.

This time, you will be able to permanently disable the update that will prevent you from continuing to update your operating system. This is something that will not be automatically reversed. It is a very effective step in our guide on how to disable automatic updates in Windows.

Using the Local Group Policy Editor (for Windows Pro and Enterprise)

This method is applicable only for Windows Pro and Enterprise users. It allows you to set update policies that block automatic updates.

1. Press Windows + R and writes gpedit.msc to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update.
3. double click on Configure Automatic Updates.
4. Choose disabled and click Apply and later Accept

With this policy disabled, Windows will no longer be able to install updates automatically. When you want to receive updates again, you will have to re-enable it, otherwise your operating system will be frozen on the last version you have updated to.

Configure bandwidth limit for updates

If you don't want to completely disable updates but do want to limit their impact on your connection, you can configure the number of bandwidth which can be consumed in the following way:

1. Opens Configuration and go to Update & Security > Advanced Options > Delivery Optimization.
2. Choose Advanced.
3. Here you can adjust the bandwidth limit that updates can use in the background, which helps reduce the impact on your connection.

In case you want completely disable updates and limit its impact on your connection, you can configure the amount of bandwidth it can consume. To do this, you must follow the steps we have just told you and not miss a single one.

Now that you know how to disable Windows automatic updates, you will also know that it can provide certain benefits for your computer to meet all the required parameters. That is why we recommend it if you want to perform tasks without interruptions or if you want to avoid system overloads after reinstalling the operating system so many times.

We recommend that, in any case, Always come back to perform an update so that this does not affect the performance and lifespan of your computer. See you in the next article.