This tutorial contains detailed instructions to turn off Windows 10 updates permanently. As you may already know, in Windows 10 you cannot prevent the Updates download and installation, by disabling the Windows Update service, because Windows 10 overrides this settingand forces the service to start and install the updates.
To avoid security risks and Windows problems it is not recommended to disable the Windows 10 update, but in some cases there is the need to do that, especially if you have problems during installing an update to your system or if you face stability issues or other problems after installing an update.
How to STOP Windows 10 Automatic Updates.
Part 1. How to Disable Updates in Windows 10 (All Versions).
Part 2. How to Stop Updates using Group Policy Editor in Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, Education version(s).
Part 3. How to Temporarily Pause Updates in Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise or Education version(s).
Part 1. How to Permanently Disable Updates in Windows 10 (All Versions).
To permanently prevent Windows 10 to install updates, use one of the following methods.
Method 1. Change Permissions to Windows Update files.
Method 2. Disable all Windows Update Services & Tasks.
Method 3. Block Updates by using a program.
Method 1. Change Permissions to Windows Update files.
The first method to disable the Automatic Update in Windows 10, is to remove the default permissions on the following files: wuaueng.dll & wuauclt.exe. To do that:
1. Open Windows Explorer and go to "C:\Windows\System32\".
2. Locate the wuaueng.dll file, right click on it and choose Properties.
3. Select the Security tab and then click Advanced.
4. Click Change Owner.
5. Type your account name (e.g. "Admin"), or type "Administrators" and click OK.
6. Then, click Apply and OK at 'Windows Security' information message.
7. Now, click OK two (2) to close the Properties window.
8. Then re-open the Properties of the wuaueng.dll file and go again to Security tab > Advanced.
9. Now select & Remove one-by-one all the users from the list.
10. When done click OK and click YES (twice) and OK again to close the 'Properties' window.
11. Perform the same steps (1-10) and remove all users from the wuauclt.exe file
12. Restart your machine.
13. From now on, whenever you go to Windows Update window you'll see a blank screen window (without any options), or you 'll receive the following error message: "There were problems installing some updates, but we'll try again later. If you keep seeing this and want to search the web or contact support for information, this may help: Error 0x80080005" *
* Note: To re-enable updates, re-add only the SYSTEM account and give to it Read & Execute permissions.
Method 2. Disable all Windows Update Services and Tasks.
The second method to prevent Windows 10 automatic update, is more complicated because you have modify the Windows Update service's properties and to change several settings in Registry and in the Task Scheduler. But if you want to try that method, follow the steps below:
Step 1. Disable the Windows Update Service.
1. Simultaneously press the Windows 
+ R keys to open run command box.
2. In run command box, type: services.msc and press Enter.
3. Right click on Windows Update service and select Properties.
4. At General tab:
1. Press Stop to stop the Windows Update Service.
2. Set the Startup type to Disabled.
5. Then select the Log On tab.
6. Select This Account and then click Browse.
7. Type your account name and then click Check Names.
8. Then click OK.
9. Now type a wrong password (twice), and click Apply.
10. Then select the Recovery tab and set the computer's response if the service fails to Take No Action. Then, click OK to close the Windows Update Properties.
12. Proceed to step-2 below.
Step 2. Disable the Windows Update Medic & the Update Orchestrator Services through Registry.
Proceed and disable the following two (2) Update services using registry:
-
- Windows Update Medic Service (WaaSMedicSvc)
- Update Orchestrator Service (UsoSvc)
1. Simultaneously press the Windows + R keys to open run command box.
2. Type regedit and press Enter.
3. At the left pane, navigate to this key:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\UsoSvc
4. At the right pane double-click at Start value
5. Set the value data (from "3") to 4 and click OK.
6. Then at the left pane, navigate to this key:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WaaSMedicSvc
7. At the right pane double-click at Start value
8. Type 4 at Value data box and click OK.
9. From now on, you will receive the following error message whenever you try to download or install updates: "There were some problems installing updates,but we'll try again later. (0x80070437) or, you'll see a blank window (without any options) when going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
10. Proceed to step-3 below.
Step 3. Disable Windows Update Tasks.
1. Open Task Scheduler. To do that open Cortana search and type task. Then click to open Task Scheduler.
2. In Task Scheduler (left pane), navigate to the following location:
- Task Scheduler Library -> Microsoft -> Windows -> Windows Update.
3. Right click at Scheduled Start and click Disable.
4. Then right click at sih and click Disable again.
5. Close Task Scheduler.
6. You 're done! *
* Note: If you change your decision and you want to install the available Windows updates in the future, then just undo the above changes and then reboot your computer.
Method 3. Block Updates in Windows 10 by using a program.
The easiest way to block Windows 10 updates, is to use one the following third-party programs.
-
- Windows Update Blocker.
- StopWinUpdates
Part 2. How to Stop Updates in Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise or Education version(s).
If you own Windows 10 Professional, Enterprise or Education version, then you can prevent Windows to download and install updates, from Group Policy Editor. To do that:
1. Simultaneously press the Windows + R keys to open the run command box.
2. Type gpedit.msc & Press Enter.
4. In Group Policy Editor navigate to the following path:
- Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\ Windows Update.
5. At the right pane, open the Specify Intranet Microsoft update service location policy.
6. Click Enabled and then type "http:\\neverupdatewindows10.com" at the 2 fields below ("intranet update service address" & "intranet statistics server") and click OK.
7. Restart your computer.
From now on, you 'll receive the following message in Windows Update:: "We couldn't connect to the update service. We'll try again later, or you can check now. If it still doesn't work, make sure you're connected to the Internet." *
* Note: To re-enable updates, just set the "Specify Intranet Microsoft update service location' policy to "Not Configured" .
Part 3. How to Temporarily Pause Updates in Windows 10 Professional, Enterprise or Education version(s).
If you have problems when installing updates in Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise or Education version(s), then you can temporarily pause the Update(s) installation for 35 days. To do that:
1. Go to Settings -> Update & Security -> Windows Update -> Advanced options –> and set the Pause Updates* option to ON.
* Note: This option is only available in Windows 10 Version 1709 and later. In previous Windows 10 versions, check the "Defer feature Updates" (or "Defer Upgrades") option to prevent Windows 10 to download and install new updates.
That's it! Which method worked for you?
Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.