Managing Windows updates can be essential for various reasons, including preventing unexpected reboots and maintaining control over your system’s behavior. While disabling updates permanently is not recommended due to security risks, there are ways to disable and re-enable updates as needed. This guide will walk you through permanently disabling and enabling Windows 10 and 11 updates.

Disable Windows Updates

Method 1: Using Services

• Open the Services Window
  • Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box
  • Type services.msc and press Enter

• Locate Windows Update Service
  • In the Services window, scroll down and find Windows Update
  • Right-click on Windows Update and select Properties
  • In the Properties window, set the Startup type to Disabled
  • Click Stop to halt the service if it is running
  • Click Apply and then OK

Method 2: Using Group Policy Editor

(Note: Group Policy Editor is not available in Windows 10 Home edition)

• Open Group Policy Editor
  • Press Win + R
  • Type gpedit.msc and press Enter

• Navigate to Windows Update Settings
  • Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update

• Configure Windows Update Settings
  • Double-click on Configure Automatic Updates
  • Select Disabled
  • Click Apply and then OK

Method 3: Using the Registry Editor

• Open Registry Editor
  • Press Win + R
  • Type regedit and press Enter

• Navigate to the Windows Update Key
  • Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Policies > Microsoft > Windows > WindowsUpdate > AU
  • If the WindowsUpdate and AU keys do not exist, you will need to create them
  • Right-click on the Windows folder, select New > Key and name it WindowsUpdate
  • Right-click on the WindowsUpdate folder, select New > Key and name it AU
  • Right-click in the right pane, choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value and name it NoAutoUpdate
  • Double-click NoAutoUpdate and set its value to 1
  • Click OK and restart your computer

Method 4: Using the Command Prompt (Combined)

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator
  • Press Win + S to open the search bar
  • Type cmd
  • Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator

• Copy and paste the following command and hit Enter:

net stop wuauserv && sc config wuauserv start= disabled && reg add “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU” /v NoAutoUpdate /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f && echo Service and Registry settings have been disabled

This will execute the series of commands in sequence, achieving the same result of disabling Windows updates.

Re-enable Windows Updates

Method 1: Using Services

• Open the Services Window
  • Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box
  • Type services.msc and press Enter

• Locate Windows Update Service
  • In the Services window, scroll down and find Windows Update

• Enable Windows Update Service
  • Right-click on Windows Update and select Properties
  • In the Properties window, set the Startup type to Automatic
  • Click Start to enable the service
  • Click Apply and then OK

Method 2: Using Group Policy Editor

(Note: Group Policy Editor is not available in Windows 10 Home edition)

• Open Group Policy Editor
  • Press Win + R
  • Type gpedit.msc and press Enter

• Navigate to Windows Update Settings
  • Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update

• Configure Windows Update Settings
  • Double-click on Configure Automatic Updates
  • Select Enabled and configure your preferred update settings
  • Click Apply and then OK

Method 3: Using the Registry Editor

• Open Registry Editor
  • Press Win + R
  • Type regedit and press Enter

• Navigate to the Windows Update Key
  • Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Policies > Microsoft > Windows > WindowsUpdate > AU

• Modify Registry Values
  • Double-click on NoAutoUpdate and set its value to 0
  • Click OK and restart your computer

Method 4: Using the Command Prompt (Combined)

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator
  • Press Win + S to open the search bar
  • Type cmd
  • Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator

• Copy and paste the following command and hit Enter:

sc config wuauserv start= auto && net start wuauserv && reg add “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU” /v NoAutoUpdate /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f && echo Service and Registry settings have been enabled

This will execute the series of commands in a sequence to enable Windows updates.

Important Considerations

• Security Risks: Disabling Windows updates can expose your system to security vulnerabilities. Ensure you have alternative security measures in place.
• Periodic Updates: If you disable automatic updates, consider enabling them periodically to install critical updates manually.
• Backup Data: Always back up your important data before making changes to system settings.

By following these steps, you can manage Windows 10 and 11 updates according to your preferences. Whether you need to disable updates for a specific reason or re-enable them to keep your system secure, these methods provide a comprehensive approach.