Turn off windows update service

In this post, we will show you how to effectively and completely block, stop, disable, and turn off Windows Update in Windows 11/10 so that you can install it when you want to. You will need to disable Windows Update Service, WaaSMedicSVC, Set the Network as a Metering connection, or use a Tool.

Some background information before you proceed!

There is no option to stop or turn off Windows Updates using the Control Panel or Settings app in Windows 11/10, as it used to be with earlier versions of Windows. But there is a workaround to disable or turn off Windows Update in Windows 11/10, that we’ll talk about in this post.

First, let us take a look at why people may want to turn off Windows updates.

Turn off Automatic Windows Update in Windows 8.1 and earlier versions

With Windows 8.1 and earlier versions, we had Windows Update giving us options to:

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1. Install updates automatically (Recommended)
2. Download Updates but choose when to install them
3. Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them
4. Never check for updates (Not Recommended)

These options provided a way to defer updates until we had enough time to download and install them or to have them downloaded automatically and then install them at a time we wish. These options are not present in Windows 11/10 Update & Security Settings now.

Turn off or Pause Automatic Windows Update in Windows 10

Now in Windows 10, open Settings app > Update and Security > Windows Update > Advanced Options, you will see the following settings:

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Microsoft has explained that it will provide updates in two distinct methods for its two distinct types of clients.

The Home users now have the option to pause Windows Updates. Earlier they did not have this option. Windows 10 will also let you defer restart, but that is not enough because a download in the background might slow down your browsing in some cases.

The other ring of users are Enterprise users who will have the option to delay updates so that they can hold it to the time when they are free. Microsoft said it would push updates to such users less frequently so that they are faced with minimum downtime. These are the corporates and real-time users such as hospitals and ATMs etc.

Coming back to Home users and Professional users, there is not even the option to delay the updates. They will be downloaded as soon as they are available. The availability of Windows Updates for normal users means that the updates have already been tested by Windows Insiders. If you are a Windows Insider, running Windows 10 Home or Pro, you will be in priority to receive updates. After a few days of you testing the updates and if it doesn’t pose any problems, it will be released to the normal ring of users.

Thus, you are stuck. Windows 11/10 will keep on downloading updates as soon as they are available and will occupy your computer resources, when you may not want it too. Some of us will want to keep the automatic downloads to be stopped so that we can install the updates manually when free – when we are not working on something urgent. That is to say; some users would want the liberty and option to download and install updates when they want and not when Microsoft provides them.

Since there is no option to turn off Windows updates from Control Panel or PC Settings, here is a workaround.

Read: Windows Update enables itself even after turning it Off.

Pause or Stop Automatic Updates in Windows 11

It is good to keep your computer up to date, but sometimes, you may want to manually update your computer instead of allowing the system to install it automatically. Therefore, in this article, we are going to see how to stop Automatic Updates in Windows 11. These are the following ways by which you can stop or defer or pause automatic updates in Windows 11 via Settings.

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First of all, the easiest way to stop automatic updating of Windows for a few days would be to change your Windows Settings and in this section, we are going to see how to do the same.

To pause automatic updates from Windows Settings, follow the given steps.

1. Open Settings by Win + I.
2. Go to Windows Updates.
3. Click Pause for 1 week.

After this, your computer will not automatically install new updates for a week, but in the meantime, you can manually update your computer.

Completely Turn off Windows Updates in Windows 11 or Windows 10

To completely stop or disable automatic Windows Updates in Windows 11/10, you will have to:

1. Disable Windows Update & Windows Update Medic Services
2. Change WU settings using the Group Policy Editor
3. Set your network connection to ‘Metered’
4. Use a free tool that lets you disable automatic updates.

Now let us see each of these suggestions in detail.

1] Disable Windows Update & Windows Update Medic Services

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Next up, we have another method for you to turn off automatic updates, that is, by stopping the Windows Update service.

If you want to stop Windows Update Service, use the following steps.

1. Open Services from the Start Menu.
2. Look for the ‘Windows Update’ service.
3. Right-click on it and select Properties.
4. Change the Startup type to Disabled and click Apply > Ok.

You need to also disable the Windows Update Medic Service or WaaSMedicSVC. The Windows Update Medic Service is a new Windows Service introduced in recent versions of Windows 10. This Service has been introduced to repair Windows Update components from damage so that the computer can continue to receive updates. We recommend you try this method first.

You can disable the Windows Update Medic Service via Windows Services Manager. In the Services window, scroll down to Windows Update Medic Service and turn off the Service. To turn it off, right-click on the process, click on Properties and select Disabled. That will take care of Windows Updates not being installed on your machine.

Now, if you ever want to enable the Service, follow the aforementioned steps, but this time, change the Startup types to Automatic.

Do remember to install updates though!

Since Windows is a Service now onwards, you have to keep your computer updated. To be able to install the next set of features or a newer build, you will require the earlier updates to be installed. That’s why if you use the above workaround, you will have to go to the Windows Services Manager and turn it on once in a while to download and update your copy of Windows.

After you turn on the Windows Update Service, when you open Windows Update in Settings, you will see a message that updates were not installed because the computer was stopped. You will have to click on Retry so that all the available updates are downloaded and installed. This may take two or three “Check for Updates” tries. You will have to keep on clicking “Check for updates” until it says your computer is up to date. Then you can go back and turn off the Windows Update service until the next time you feel you are free enough to spend time updating your copy of Windows 11/10.

2] Change WU settings using the Group Policy Editor

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If your version of Windows 11/10 has Group Policy, you can also change some settings using the Group Policy Editor. Run gpedit and navigate to the following policy setting:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update.

On the right side, double-click on Configure Automatic Updates and change its settings to suit your requirements.

In Windows 11 23H2 and later, you may see this Configure Automatic Updates policy under the Manage end user experience folder on the right side.

Once you configure the settings, you will see the result in the Settings app as follows:

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Read: How to configure Windows Updates using Registry.

We do not recommend that you disable automatic Windows Update in Windows 11/10. If your computer is fine with downloads in the background and doesn’t affect your work, it is not advisable to do it. But if you face a slowdown of the computer due to updates downloading and installing in the background, the above tip to turn off Windows updates in Windows 10 will be of some help.

3] Set your network connection to ‘Metered’

Setting your network connection to ‘Metered’, can also stop Windows 11/10 from automatically downloading the Updates. You can do it as follows – Settings app > Network & Internet > WiFi > Advanced options. Move the slider to On position for Set as metered connection.

Windows 10 users: This post will show you how to set Metered Connection in Windows.

Windows 11 users: If you enable Metered Connection on a network, your Windows 11 computer won’t automatically download the update when connected to that particular network. Follow the given steps to do the same.

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1. Open Settings from the Start Menu.
2. Click Network & Internet > Properties.
3. Now use the toggle to enable Metered connection.

Now, your computer will download updated automatically when you are connected to that network.

4] Tools that help you block automatic Windows Updates

Here is a list of some free Windows Update Blocker tools to Stop Automatic Windows Updates. You might want to take a look at them as they allow you to control Windows 11/10 Updates with a click.

1. Windows Update Blocker
2. StopUpdates10
3. Wu10Man
4. Kill-Update
5. WuMgr
6. Win Update Stop
7. Win Updates Disabler
8. WAU Manager.

Incidentally, Microsoft has released a tool called Show or Hide Updates that allows users to hide or block specific unwanted Windows Updates. Using it, you can stop Windows 11/10 from downloading specific updates.

Is it safe to turn off Windows Update in progress?

No, you should never turn off your computer when installing the update. Doing so can lead to serious issues, such as BSOD or corrupted Windows. If you are not sure whether you want to use the update in question, you can always roll back to the previous version. But stopping the ongoing update should not be an option.

What if I don’t update Windows?

Updates are primarily used by Windows to roll out bug fixes and add new features to the Operating System. However, if you are happy with your OS’s current features and stability, you can skip updates for some time.

But eventually, you have to update as you can’t afford to run an outdated OS. Otherwise, some of the applications will stop working and you will experience other failures. Even some of the games want the latest version of Windows. Therefore, it is always recommended to keep your system up to date.

Related reads:

1. Make Windows 11/10 notify you before downloading Updates
2. How to configure Windows Updates using Registry in Windows Server
3. How to stop automatic Driver updates
4. Stop Windows 11/10 from upgrading your computer automatically.
   

Are you searching for how to disable Windows updates in Windows 10 or 11? This guide can help.

Windows updates are essential to keeping your system safe with access to the latest tools and features. Updates provide bug fixes, performance improvements, and, perhaps most importantly, security patches that protect your device from potential threats.

Still, there are a few reasons why you may want to disable Windows updates—either temporarily or permanently.

How to disable Windows update in Windows 10

Windows 10 offers several methods to disable Windows updates. Let’s explore four of the most effective ways:

Option 1: Disable the Windows update service

One way to disable Windows updates is by stopping the Windows Update service. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “services.msc” and press Enter to open the Services window.
3. Scroll down and locate the “Windows Update” service.
4. Right-click on the service and select “Properties.”
5. In the Properties window, change the “Startup type” to “Disabled.”
6. Click on “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.

By disabling the Windows Update service, you prevent Windows from automatically checking for and installing updates. However, remember that this method only disables the service temporarily and will not prevent updates from being installed when the service is enabled again.

Option 2: Change Group Policy Editor settings

Learning to stop Windows Updates through the Group Policy Editor is also helpful. Here’s how you can use this method:

1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “gpedit.msc” and press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
3. Navigate to “Computer Configuration” > “Administrative Templates” > “Windows Components” > “Windows Update.”
4. Double-click on “Configure Automatic Updates” to open the settings.
5. Select the “Disabled” option to turn off automatic updates.
6. Click on “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.

Using the Group Policy Editor allows you to have more granular control over Windows updates. You can choose to disable automatic updates entirely or configure specific update settings according to your preferences.

Option 3: Meter your network connection

Windows 10 includes a feature called “Metered Connection,” which can be used to limit the data usage of certain network connections. By setting your network connection as metered, you can effectively prevent Windows from automatically downloading and installing updates. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open the “Settings” app by pressing the Windows key + I on your keyboard.
2. Click on “Network & Internet” and select “Wi-Fi” or “Ethernet,” depending on your connection type.
3. Scroll down and click on “Advanced Options.”
4. Toggle the switch under “Metered Connection” to turn it on.

When your network connection is set as metered, Windows will not automatically download or install updates. However, keep in mind that this method can also prevent other apps from downloading updates or syncing data, so use it judiciously.

Option 4: Use the Windows Registry

The Windows Registry allows you to turn off automatic updates by modifying various system settings. Here’s how you can disable Windows updates using the Registry Editor:

1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
4. Right-click on the “WindowsUpdate” folder and select “New” > “DWORD (32-bit) Value.”
5. Name the new value “AUOptions” and set it to “2” to disable automatic updates.
6. Click on “OK” to save the changes.

Using the Windows Registry to disable Windows updates provides a more advanced method for controlling update behavior. However, modifying the Registry can be risky if not done correctly, so exercise caution and create a backup of your Registry before making any changes.

How to disable Windows update in Windows 11

Option 1: Using Windows services (services.msc)

If you want to permanently stop Windows updates from running in the background, disabling the Windows Update service is one of the most effective methods.

1. Press the Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Scroll down and locate Windows Update in the list.
3. Double-click on Windows Update to open its properties.
4. Under Startup type, select Disabled from the dropdown menu.
5. Click Stop if the service is currently running.
6. Click Apply and then Ok to save the changes.

Option 2: Using Group Policy Editor (for Windows 11 Pro & Enterprise)

This method is useful for users with Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise editions. The Group Policy Editor allows you to disable automatic updates through system policies.

1. Press the Windows key + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to

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Computer Configuration → Administrative Tempates → Windows Components → Windows Update

1. Double-click Configure Automatic Updates on the right panel.
2. Select Disabled, then click Apply and Ok.
3. Restart your computer for changes to take effect.

Option 3: Using Registry Editor (for all editions)

For Windows 11 Home users, disabling updates via the Registry Editor is an alternative since the Group Policy Editor isn’t available. A word of caution, though: Incorrect registry changes can cause system issues. 

⚠️ Take note: Editing the registry is risky. Make sure to backup your registry before proceeding. 

1. Press the Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU

1. If the WindowsUpdate and AU keys don’t exist, create them.
2. Inside AU, right-click and choose New → DWORD (32-bit) Value.
3. Name it NoAutoUpdate and set its value to 1.
4. Close Registry Editor and restart your PC.

Option 4: Using metered connection (prevents auto updates)

If you don’t want to fully disable updates but want to limit automatic downloads, setting your network as metered will prevent Windows from downloading updates automatically.

1. Open Settings (Win + I)
2. Go to Network & Internet.
3. Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet, depending on your connection type.
4. Click on your connected network.
5. Toggle Metered connection to On.

Additional option: Using Windows Update pause feature (temporary solutions)

If you just need to delay updates for a few weeks, Windows 11 has a built-in pause feature that temporarily stops updates.

1. Open Settings (Win + I).
2. Go to Windows Update.
3. Click Pause updates and select a duration.

Why disable Windows updates?

Windows updates are important for security and performance—and having them automated provides a lot of convenience. While keeping your Windows updates on is generally recommended, there are valid reasons why you may want to disable them. For example:

• Higher stability: If you rely on specific applications or devices that aren’t fully compatible with the latest Windows updates, you may run into instability or functionality problems. Disabling Windows updates can help your system run smoothly and without disruption.
• Greater convenience: Windows updates often require system restarts, which can interrupt your workflow and lead to productivity losses—especially if you’re working on a critical project or in a time-sensitive environment. By disabling Windows updates, at least temporarily, you can have more control over when and how your system installs new upgrades.
• Avoid unexpected restarts: Windows may restart your PC at inconvenient times after an update. If an update is installed in the background, Windows may schedule an automatic restart without warning, forcing your system to reboot even if you’re in the middle of a task. This can be particularly disruptive for professionals who rely on uninterrupted access to their devices.
• Prevent compatibility issues: Some updates can break compatibility with older software or hardware. If your business relies on legacy applications, certain updates may lead to software unusable, requiring workarounds or even rollbacks. By disabling updates, you ensure your setup remains stable and fully operational without unexpected compatibility problems.
• Save data on limited internet plans: Automatic updates can consume a lot of bandwidth. Large updates, which can exceed several gigabytes, can quickly eat up your monthly data allowances, leading to additional costs or reduced internet speeds due to throttling.
• Prevent buggy updates: Some updates may introduce new bugs or system instability. To clarify: Windows updates are designed to improve functionality, but not all updates are thoroughly tested for every hardware configuration. This may lead to issues, such as system crashes or even the dreaded blue screen of death.
• Full control: Some users have specific reasons for not wanting to install updates automatically, such as concerns about data usage or privacy. In these cases, disabling Windows updates provides the freedom to choose which updates to install manually, giving users greater control over system maintenance.

Should I permanently disable Windows updates?

Permanently disabling Windows updates is generally not recommended. Windows updates are crucial for maintaining your device’s security and stability. Permanently disabling updates exposes your system to potential security vulnerabilities, and your system misses out on important bug fixes and performance improvements.

This means you’ll need to balance controlling system updates and ensuring your computer’s security. Consider reenabling updates during non-working hours or using tools with more granular control over the update process.

In most cases, reenabling Windows updates is as simple as disabling them in the first place. For example, when changing the Group Policy Editor settings, you should select the “Enabled” option rather than “Disabled.” You can adapt the instructions above depending on your preferred method to turn on Windows updates.

Some other downsides to permanently disabling Windows updates include:

• Security risks: Disabling updates exposes your system to potential security vulnerabilities, as you miss out on crucial security patches and bug fixes. Without regular updates, your computer becomes an easy target for malware, ransomware, and other malicious attacks.
• Performance slowdowns: Windows updates often include performance improvements that can enhance the overall functionality and speed of your computer. Failing to install the latest upgrades will mean that your system won’t be getting a boost.
• Compatibility issues: Compatibility can be a problem for systems running software that is too new and too old. Outdated systems may face compatibility issues with newer software or hardware that require updated Windows versions.

Temporarily switching off Windows updates can help you deal with issues like program incompatibility and productivity concerns. For most users, however, there is little to no benefit from permanently disabling Windows updates. Instead, these users will likely want to turn off Windows updates temporarily by following one of the four methods in the next section.

🔔 Not sure how a new update will impact your systems? Check out our KB Catalog for hundreds of KB articles, each with public sentiment analysis, so you can make informed decisions before updates roll out.

Manage Windows updates efficiently with NinjaOne

Rather than permanently disabling Windows updates, consider utilizing tools like NinjaOne to manage your updates effectively. NinjaOne provides Windows patch management software that offers a robust suite of features, including automated remote patch management, a patch status dashboard, and compliance reporting. Watch a demo or sign up for a free trial.