How to stop automatic updates in Windows 10

Be totally in control of your PC: Windows 10 as we know always install cumulative updates spontaneously, even if you're against them, with the few steps listed below, you can stop the automatic update and manually decide when to install them.

On Windows 10, cumulative updates are no longer optional as it is in the lower versions of windows (xp, vista, 7, 8 and 81), they're mandatory, which means that they download and install automatically without any notice to the owner. Although this new mechanism is a convenient approach to ensure that every device has the latest security patches, bug fixes, and improvements, it's not an option that everyone likes.

If your computer is running Windows 10, depending on the edition, it's possible to regain some of the control and stop automatic updates using the Local Group Policy Editor.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to prevent automatic updates from installing on your device.

How to block automatic updates using Local Group Policy

1. Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.

1. Type gpedit.msc and click OK to open the Local Group Policy Editor.

1. Check the Enabled option to turn on the policy.

• 2 - Notify for download and auto install.

• 3 - Auto download and notify for install.

• 4 - Auto download and schedule the install.

• 5 - Allow local admin to choose setting.

1. Click the Apply button.

1. Click the OK button.

If you're running Windows 10 Pro, you can use the Local Group Policy Editor to change the system settings to prevent your device from downloading and installing updates automatically. Here's how:

• Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.
• Type gpedit.msc and click OK to open the Local Group Policy Editor
• Open Computer Configuration
• Open Administrative Templates
• Open Windows Components
• Open Windows Update

1. On the right side, double-click the Configure Automatic Updates policy.
   
2. Check the Disabled option to turn off the policy.
   

Once you've completed the steps, Windows 10 will no longer download updates automatically, which can also save data when using a metered internet connection, and any future updates must be downloaded and installed manually from Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.

Alternatively, if disabling the policy isn't working, you can also use the Group Policy Editor to configure the Windows Update options to prevent updates from installing automatically on your computer.

1. Browse the following path:
   Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Update
2. On the right side, double-click the Configure Automatic Updates policy.
   
3. Under the "Options" section, you'll find a number of options to configure automatic updates, including:
   You should select the option that best fits your preference, but option 2 - Notify for download and auto install is the closest to permanently disable automatic updates.
   

Once you've completed the steps, Windows 10 will no longer download updates automatically, and once new updates become available, you'll get a notification to install them manually from Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.

At any time, you can revert the changes using the same steps, but on step No. 5, make sure to select the Not Configured option. Then reboot your device to apply the changes.