How to Stop Automatic Updates in Windows 11

In this article, we are going to share how you can prevent Windows 11 automatic updates temporarily or permanently. Many users don’t want to install all updates automatically due to some compatibility issues with 3rd party software.

Microsoft always recommended users download and install the latest updates due to security reasons. Windows Updates keep your operating system up to date, address vulnerabilities, and improve performance.

While updates are essential to fix bugs, enhance speed, and improve the overall system experience, they can sometimes cause difficulties and make your system unstable. For now, it’s best to stick with a stable build version until a new stable update is released.

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How to Stop Automatic Updates in Windows 11

You can disable automatic updates in Windows 11 using these 5 methods ways.

Method 1: Block Windows 11 Updates using Windows Update Settings

You can stop Windows 11 updates from Windows 11 update settings. Here are the steps:

Step 1: First open Windows 11 Settings with Windows + I button on your keyboard.

Step 2: In Windows 11 settings, find Windows Update on the left sidebar.

Step 3: In Windows updates, find the pause option in more options.

Step 4: Click on an option called Pause for 1 week to stop Windows updates for 7 days.

Note that your updates will only step temporarily for 7 days. If you want to extend it, you can click on the Extent for 1-week option.

Using it, you can extend Windows updates up to 35 days.

After 35 days, your system will start checking new updates.

You can resume updates whenever you want. Just click on Resume update in Windows update settings.

Method 2: Set a Metered Connection

Windows 10 and 11 come with an option called metered connection that allows you to configure Windows updates. Using this metered connection option, you can limit your data usage for your system. If you are using a limited data connection, this is very useful. If you enable this metered connection, it will restrict the Windows update service from running in the background and stop using your data.

Here are the steps to enable the metered connection.

Step 1: Open Windows 11 settings with Windows + I button on your keyboard.

Step 2: Find and click on Network & internet option in the left sidebar.

Step 3: In-Network & internet, find and click on Wi-Fi in the right sidebar.

Step 4: In the next window, click on Wi-fi properties.

Step 5: Here you can find an option called Metered Connection. Turn on the switch to enable the metered connection.

Step 6: After that, click on ‘Windows Update’ in the Settings. Then click on check for updates and then download now if any update is available.

Your system will check Windows updates but it will only download and install important security updates only.

Method 3: Block Windows 11 Updates using Windows Update Service

You can also block Windows update services to disable Automatic updates in Windows 11. This is the best and easy way to stop automatic updates in Windows 11.

Step 1: Open the Windows start menu with the Windows button on your keyboard and then search for services.

Step 2: Click on Services to open it. You can also access it with the RUN command tool. Open Run with Windows + R button on your keyboard and then search for services.msc. Then press enters to open it.

Step 3: In the services window, find Windows update service and then double click on it to open it. Or right-click on it and choose properties.

Step 4: Now find the service status option and select stop from the list to disable or stop the Windows update service.

Step 5: Then choose the Disabled option in the startup type and then click on Apply to save settings.

Step 6: Restart your Windows to apply new changes.

If you want to enable automatic update again in the future then go to services again and then choose the automatic option for startup type and click on Apply.

Method 4: Use Registry Editor

You can also stop automatic updates in Windows using the registry editor tool. Follow these steps to access the registry editor.

Step 1: Press Windows + R button on your keyboard to open the Run command tool and then search for regedit. Then press enters to run the command.

Step 2: In the registry editor, navigate to this path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

Step 3: Here, find the WindowsUpdate key in the Windows folder in the left sidebar. If you can’t find this folder then create a new one. Just right click on the Windows key in the left sidebar > select new > key and rename it to WindowsUpdate.

Step 4: Now in the WindowsUpdate key, create another key. Right-click on the newly created Windows Update key in the left sidebar > new > key and then name it to AU.

Step 5: Now right click on AU key in the left sidebar > select new > DWORD (32-bit) Value > name it to NoAutoUpdate.

Step 6: Double click on the NoAutoUpdate and then change the value from 0 to 1.

Step 7: Click on the OK button to save the changes and then restart your PC.

This will permanently stop automatic updates on your Windows 11 PC. However, you can manually check for updates and download them using Windows 11 Settings.

If you want to enable automatic update again then just delete the NoAutoUpdate key we created earlier and then restart your PC.

Method 5: Use Group Policy Editor

Just like a registry editor, you can also stop automatic Windows updates with the help of a Group Policy Editor. It is a tool that allows you to change system policies. Follow these steps to access the Group Policy and disable automatic updates in Windows 11.

Step 1: Press Windows + R button on your keyboard and then search for the gpedit.msc command. This command will open the Local Group Policy Editor window. You can also search for Edit Group Policy in the Windows start or Windows search.

Step 2: In the Local Group Policy Editor, go to this path:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage end user experience

Step 3: In the Manage end user experience section, check the right sidebar and then double click on the Configure Automatic Updates.

Step 4: Now select the Disabled option and then click on Apply and OK to save settings.

Step 5: Just restart your PC to apply new changes. Now your system won’t be able to download or install Windows updates automatically.

If you want to enable automatic updates then just select enable button in the Configure Automatic Updates option.

Related Posts:

Did You Disable Automatic Updates?

Sometimes an automatic update can cause several issues in your Windows 11. So instead of getting yourself into trouble, it’s better to stop automatic updates in your Windows 11 if you’re not sure how to handle it. But if you’re a tech-savvy person, let that be turned on for better security features.

How to Stop Automatic Updates in Windows 11

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How to Stop Automatic Updates in Windows 11