If you don’t know how to disable automatic updates in Windows 10, we are going to help you out. As with previous versions of its operating system, Microsoft tends to periodically update Windows 10, adding security patches, and interesting new features. For this reason, choosing to enable the option of periodic updates can be very helpful when it comes to keeping our computer in optimal condition.
For example, almost every month Microsoft carries out a series of security updates. While, every six months, the company brings updates, where the manufacturer integrates and adds new, more or less important functions.
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As many specialists say, enabling automatic updates can be a useful option when it comes to keeping your computer as secure as possible, while enjoying the new features as soon as they are ready for your PC.
However, we must not forget that recently, Windows 10 updates were accused of generating a series of errors, and also other added problems. In addition, certain users prefer to be in control of what is installed on the system (i.e. the type of update, its purpose and what it includes and/or implies).
Therefore, when the time comes, we may be interested in finding out how to disable automatic updates in Windows 10. Obviously, this does not mean that we do not care about updating the operating system of our computer properly, but we will control the process by choosing when we want to update or not.
How to disable automatic updates in Windows 10?
It is usually not necessary to disable the Windows Update settings permanently (which is the name of the Windows update service developed by Microsoft).
For example, in case we want to skip a certain update, we can pause the updates until the day we want to install them. Thus, with the option offered by Configuration, it is perfectly possible to stop system updates for a period of 35 days.
If we want to disable the temporary updates, we must open Configuration, click on Update and Security, click on Windows Update, and then on Advanced Options.
You will find a section called Pause Updates. We must use the drop-down menu to select how long we want to disable automatic updates.
Disabling automatic updates with the help of the Registry
In case you are using Windows 10 Pro, it is possible to disable automatic updates through the system registry. However, before making any changes, we strongly recommend that you make a full backup of your computer.
To disable Windows 10 updates permanently, click on the Start icon and type regedit to start the Registry Editor. Now we must navigate to the next path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
Right-click on the Windows folder, select the New submenu, and choose the Key option. Once this is done, name the new WindowsUpdate key and press Enter.
Now right click on the key you have created, select New, and choose the Key option. Name the new key AU and press Enter.
Again, we place the right button on top of AU, select the submenu New and choose the option DWORD (32-bit) Value. Now name the new NoAutoUpdate key and press Enter. Simply double-click on the newly created key, and change the value from 0 to 1.
Although the automatic updates will be disabled, it is perfectly possible to proceed to download and install the updates we want, as needed, through the Check for Updates function within Windows Update.