How to block updates Windows 10: A technical guide for those users who wish to avoid automatic updates on their operating system Windows 10. These updates can often disrupt your workflow or even cause incompatibilities with certain programs or drivers. If you prefer to have more control over your system and decide when to install updates, this article will provide you with the tools necessary to block them. effectively.
1. Disable the Windows Update service: One of the most direct ways to block automatic updates is to disable the Windows Update service on your computer. To do this, you must access the Control Panel and look for the “Services” option. Within the list of services, find and select “Windows Update,” then click “Stop” in the left part of the window. This will prevent the system from automatically checking for and installing updates.
2. Configure the Internet connection as "limited connection measurement": Another way to avoid automatic updates Windows 10 is to configure your Internet connection as “limited connection measurement”. This can be done from the wireless network settings or through the Ethernet connection. By setting this, Windows 10 will consider your connection as limited and will not download or install updates while you are not connected to an unlimited network.
3. Use the Group Policy Editor: Users of the Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions of Windows 10 can use Group Policy Editor to block automatic updates. To do this, open the Group Policy Editor from the Start menu and navigate to “Computer Configuration” > “Administrative Templates” > “Windows Components” > “Windows Update”. There, you will find different options to configure and block updates.
These are just some of the technical ways to block Windows 10 automatic updates. It's important to note that blocking updates may result in the loss of new security features and performance improvements. Therefore, it is always advisable to evaluate the risks and benefits before making a decision. Remember to keep your operating system Updating is essential to ensure its long-term performance and security.
1. Methods to block Windows 10 automatic updates
Windows 10 is an operating system that is regularly updated to offer improvements in performance, security, and functionality. However, for some users these automatic updates may be inconvenient. If you prefer to control when and how your system is updated, there are several methods to block automatic updates in Windows 10. Here are some options:
- Disable the Windows Update service: This method involves stopping the service responsible for automatic updates. To do so, go to control Panel and select Services. Search for the service called Windows Update and right click on it, selecting Arrest.
- Usar el Editor del Registro: Another option is to modify the Windows Registry to disable automatic updates. Open the Registry Editor pressing Windows + R and writing regedit. Navigate to the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows and create a new key called Windows Update. Inside this key, create a new 32-bit DWORD value called AUOptions and establishes its value in 2.
- Use a third-party tool: There are numerous tools developed by third parties that allow you to block automatic updates in Windows 10 in a simple way. These applications usually offer options to disable the Windows Update service, configure the Registry Editor, or even schedule updates according to your preferences.
Remember that disable automatic updates It can pose a risk to the security of your system, since you stop receiving important patches and fixes. If you choose to block updates, make sure you keep your system protected through other security measures, such as a good antivirus and firewall.
2. Disable automatic updates through the Windows Settings menu
Automatic Windows 10 updates can be annoying for many users, as they sometimes interrupt our activities or can even cause system problems. Fortunately, there is the option to disable these updates through the Windows Settings menu. Turning off automatic updates can give you more control over your system and allow you to decide when and how to install new versions. Next, we will show you how to do this process step by step:
The first step is to open the Windows Settings menu. You can access it by clicking the home button and then selecting the “Settings” option from the drop-down menu. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut “Windows + I” to directly open the Settings menu. Once inside the Settings menu, find and click on the “Update and security” option.
In the “Update & Security” window, you will find several options related to Windows updates. Click on the “Windows Update” tab located in the left pane of the window. Next, scroll down until you find the “Advanced Options” section. In this section, Click “Advanced Options” to open more settings. Now, you can see different options to control Windows automatic updates. You can select from options like “Semi-annual (enterprise-oriented)”, “Semi-annual”, or even “Pause updates for 7 days” to have more control over updates on your system.
3. Use Registry Editor to stop Windows 10 updates
Registry Editor is an advanced tool that allows you to modify settings of the operating system Windows. If you want to block annoying Windows 10 automatic updates, you can use this powerful tool to stop them permanently. Next, we will show you the steps you must follow:
Step 1: Access Registry Editor
To begin, you will need to access the Registry Editor. You can do this by pressing the Win + R key combination, then typing “regedit” and pressing Enter. A window will open that will allow you to modify the Windows Registry.
Step 2: Navigate to the appropriate key
Once inside the Registry Editor, you will need to navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsUpdate. If you can't find the "WindowsUpdate" folder, you can create it by right-clicking on the "Windows" folder and selecting "New" and then "Key." Then, change the name of the new key to “WindowsUpdate.”
Step 3: Set the key to stop updates
Once you are in the “WindowsUpdate” folder, right-click on an empty area of the window on the right and select “New” and then “DWORD (32-bit) Value”. Rename the value to “AUOptions”. Then, doubleclick on the “AUOptions” value and change its value to 2. This will disable Windows 10 automatic updates.
By following these simple steps, you can use Registry Editor to block Windows 10 updates effectively. Remember that this is a more advanced solution, so you should be careful when modifying the Windows Registry. It is always advisable to make a backup copy of the Registry before modifying it. Don't forget to restart your computer to apply the changes correctly. We hope this guide has been helpful to you and allows you to have greater control over Windows 10 updates.
4. Block updates using network settings
Cómo bloquear Windows 10 updates
If you want more control over Windows 10 updates, one option is to block them using network settings. This will allow you to decide when and how updates are installed on your device. Next, we will explain how to do it:
1. Configure your network connection
The first thing you should do is access the network settings. of your device. You can do this by going to Settings > Network and Internet. Once there, select "Ethernet" or "Wi-Fi" depending on the connection you use. Then, click “Change adapter options” and select your connection.
2. Set the connection to “metered”
Once you've selected your connection, right-click and select "Properties." In the pop-up window, find “Settings” and click “Edit.” Then select the “Use measured data” option and save the changes. This way, your device will treat the connection as a restricted connection and will not automatically download or install Windows updates.
3. Block connection to Windows servers Update
Finally, if you want to block Windows 10 updates completely, you can use the hosts file to block connection to Windows Update servers. To do this, open Notepad with administrator privileges and open the “hosts” file located in the C:WindowsSystem32driversetc folder. Add the following lines to the file:
127.0.0.1 update.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 www.update.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 windowsupdate.com
127.0.0.1 www.windowsupdate.com
127.0.0.1 windowsupdate.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 www.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
Save the file and restart your device. This will block access to the Windows Update servers and will no longer install updates automatically. Please note that if you want to re-enable updates in the future, you will need to remove the lines added to the "hosts" file.
5. Disable the Windows Update service to prevent unwanted updates
If you're a Windows 10 user, chances are you've experienced the frustration of automatic updates installing without your consent at some point. Fortunately, there are ways to block these updates and have control over when and how you update your operating system. In this post, we will explain a effectively de disable the Windows Update service and avoid those unwanted updates.
For disable the Windows Update service, you must first access the control Panel of your system. You can do this by entering "Control Panel" in the Windows search bar or by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Control Panel" from the drop-down menu. Once in the Control Panel, find and click on the “System and Security” option.
In the “System and Security” window, you will find different options. Click "Solving problems". In the next window, scroll down until you find "Windows Update" and click on it. Then select the option «Troubleshoot as administrator». This will open the Windows Update troubleshooter, which will guide you through the steps necessary to disable the service. Follow the instructions and select the option "Disable Windows Update" when requested. Once you have completed these steps, you will have achieved bloquear las actualizaciones de Windows 10 and you will have full control over when you want to install updates on your system.
6. Use third-party tools to control and block updates in Windows 10
We know that Windows 10 updates can be a hassle, especially when they interfere with our work or free time. Fortunately, there are third-party tools that allow us to control and block these updates in a simple and efficient way.
1. Update Management Tool: There are various programs that allow us to take full control of updates in Windows 10. These tools offer us options to disable automatic updates, set specific times to download and install updates, or even block individual updates. It is important to do your research and select a reliable and safe tool.
2. Blocking updates using the Firewall: Another option is to use Windows Firewall to block Windows Update from accessing the Internet. This prevents the system from automatically downloading updates. However, some users may prefer this option only temporarily, as completely blocking updates could lead to security issues or lack of support.
3. Editing the Windows Registry: For those who are more technically comfortable, a more advanced method is to edit the Windows Registry. This allows us to disable automatic updates in a more precise and personalized way. It is important to carefully follow the instructions and perform backups before making any changes to the Registry.
7. Additional recommendations to avoid forced updates in Windows 10
Remember that updating Windows is an essential part of keeping your operating system secure and running optimally. However, if you want to avoid forced updates in Windows 10, here are some additional recommendations:
1. Configure update options: Access the Windows “Control Panel” and select “Windows Update”. Make sure you choose the “Download updates, but let me choose whether to install them” option. This way, you can have more control over what updates are installed on your system and when they are installed.
2. Use the HomeGroup tool: If you are on a home network, you can use the HomeGroup tool to disable automatic updates. To do this, go to “Settings” and select “Network and Internet”. Then, choose “Home Group” and disable the option that allows sharing updates over the network.
3. Take into account the activity schedules: If you do not want updates to occur while you are using your computer, you can schedule the update time. Go to “Settings” and select “Update & security”. Then, choose “Active Hours” and set a period in which you prefer no automatic updates to occur. This way, your work will not be interrupted by updates.
I am Sebastián Vidal, a computer engineer passionate about technology and DIY. Furthermore, I am the creator of tecnobits.com, where I share tutorials to make technology more accessible and understandable for everyone.