Monday, November 10, 2014

Disable Automatic Update in Windows 10


Turn off Automatic Update


As I mentioned earlier, Windows 10 has come with some boring changes. One of the stupid changes is related to Automatic Update. In Windows 10, you're set to automatically install new updates. And you've no choice to change this settings. Because the change settings option is disable. 



Applies to: Windows 10








When you Disable Automatic Update?

  • If your net bandwidth is limited
  • If you don't need windows updates at all
  • If the updates cause activators not work in your PC

In earlier versions of Windows (Windows 7, 8 or 8.1), you can manually configure the update settings. There were four settings:
  • Install updates automatically
  • Download updates but let me choose whether to install them
  • Check for updates but let me choose . . . 
  • Never check for updates

In Windows 10, you don't have any option to choose any of these settings. It's simply disabled. You can't use the drop down menu. Look at the image below:


Update Settings is Disabled in Windows 10


But still you have a chance to configure Windows Update. And you've to enable this settings from Group Policy Editor. In this post, I'm gonna discuss about enabling/ disabling Automatic Update of Windows 10. 


Instruction

  1. Press Start+R > Type gpedit.msc > Press Enter.
  2. Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > All Settings.
  3. Find Configure Automatic Updates (Press C to go there quickly).
  4. Choose Enable > There are 5 choices in the Options > Choose # 5 - Allow local admin to choose setting.
  5. Apply > OK.

Configure Auto Update from Group Policy


Now your automatic update settings will be like this - 


Enabling Update Settings on Windows 10


Have you noticed that the Never Check for Updates option is not available here? This option is vanished from this settings. Anyway, you can stop checking for updates completely. 


Never Check for Updates

If you even don't need to check for updates, then follow the steps below - 
  1. Run > gpedit.msc > Enter
  2. Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > All Settings
  3. Double Click on Configure Automatic Updates
  4. Choose Disabled > Apply > OK.

Now your update settings will be disabled again. But this time, you Windows will never check for any updates!


Enable Never Check for Updates Option


If Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) is not Available?

Then follow this system -

Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services > Scroll to the bottom > Windows Update > Startup Type > Choose Manual > Apply > OK.

Hope this will help. Take a reboot if necessary.





Fix these problems too!






Stay with Marks PC Solution to get more interesting IT topics!



49 comments:

  1. Nice tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for visiting Marks PC . . .

      Delete
    2. did it works on win 10 pro and home ?

      Delete
    3. Windows 10 is still in beta version. So I can try this trick on Technical Preview only. After getting the final version, I will try this trick again . . .

      Delete
    4. ok . hope its works . otherwise I continue with windows 7 . thanks for your reply .

      Delete
    5. hello Abdur . follow up when you tested . you maybe has install the new one soon

      Delete
  2. I've installed Windows 10 and gpedit.msc is not found

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe you're using Home or Starter edition. In that case, I can help you disable update through registry editor. Please contact me via email - munnamark@gmail.com.

      I will instruct you there. If it works, I will write another tutorial on Registry Editor regarding Windows Update.

      Delete
  3. I live in a nursing home an cannot type a lot of commands and run dialogs., so with that being said I downloaded windows 10home pro yesterday and just a few minutes ago I went into the control panel and into administration tools and then into services. I can only point and click so I have to do it this way but maybenothers will findthisway easier. in services I found windows update near the bottom and double clicked on it and in the drop down menu clicked on disabled and DONE. No more automatic updates until you enable it the same way and manually update if needs be. When you try to update with this disable you get an error message saying cant install updates....hope this helps someone...peace keboy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And it shouldn't be!

      What option you selected? Disabled. What does it mean? Update is turned off. Naturally Windows will show error when you try to update.

      Go to the same option, and choose Manual Update. Then I think it will be okay. Thanks for contacting Marks PC Solution . . .

      Delete
  4. I have chosen alternative 5
    but I can not change to manual update. i drop down menu ??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What do u mean by drop down menu? You can't see the option list?

      Delete
  5. After stop auto update shall i can able to update manual or not..

    ReplyDelete
  6. i mean
    windows update
    advanced options
    select the updates to be installed--i cant change to manual update there.
    i cant do anything in -select the updates to be installed-

    ReplyDelete
  7. it says
    Some settings are managed by your orginisation
    it says in red

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What organization? Is it your Office PC? Is it password protected?

      Delete
  8. Don, If you haven't done so yet go into your control panel on "windows 10 home pro. There click on first category "Administration Tools"...When this loads up look for "Services" and click on this. Once services is loaded scroll down to where you see "Windows Update" and Double click on this. In the idle you will see "start up options" and it will be a drop down menu...pick either "Disable" or "Manual" I picked disable on mine as I don't want some program to manually start anything unless I do it. Good Luck And I hope this helps....peace...Keboy

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am running Windows 10 Final Version released to the public. I am an Administrator and made the update to the GP as instructed. However, when you go to the options on the Settings >> Update panel, they are still unchanged and remain as they were after the install. Did you do your work on the final release to market edition 10240?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Then follow this system -

      Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services > Scroll to the bottom > Windows Update > Startup Type > Choose Manual > Apply > OK.

      Let me know whether it works . . .

      Delete
    2. When I do as you suggest, the Windows Update was already set to "Manual", so there was nothing I had to change. When I go back to Settings >> Update >> Advanced I still set the "Choose how your updates are installed" as set to Automatic and there are not other options other than the original Schedule option.

      Delete
    3. Do you want to disable it? Then simply choose Disabled instead of Manual. Also look at the service status. If it's running, then stop it.

      Delete
    4. I was trying to get back to the place that I was on 8.1 where I am notified of downloads and I can control it. At home I use my limited phone as tethered internet and can not have downloads occurring automatically as my data budget will be quickly killed. I would rather manually update when I get to local WiFi HotSpot... as I have done in the past.

      Will having the "Service" for Windows Update in Win10 truly act like I would like? Even though the Win10 Settings Panel for Update shows automatic, will this "Manual" setting that we did with the control panel dominate the download control?

      Delete
    5. I think I found out why this was not behaving as in the process you described. I was working in a Win10 x64 bit installation. I went through the process in a separate Win10 x32 bit installation using the group policy to change to the preferred Notify for Download and Notify for Install. To be safe I also checked the setting in Control Panel >> Services >> Windows Update. After a reboot and going back to the Settings >> Update the update panel shows the update process is being controlled by the group policy and it looks like I what wanted.

      So the same process in the x64 bit installation seems not to enable the group policy. Will continue to dig into this, but thought you and your readers might like to know.

      Delete
    6. Resolved.... As it turns out in 64 bit version I had to go to Settings >> Update & Security >> Windows Update and click Update Now. After that the settings under the "Advanced Settings" sub-tab updated to reflect the changes in the Group Policy.

      So it appears squared away. Here is hoping that it actually does what is intended and it does notify before downloading.

      Delete
    7. Thanks for your help... I had set it to notify for download and notify for install and I tested everything today and everything is working as it should on both x32 and x64 versions of Win10.

      Delete
  10. Is it better to disable or do manual? also do you need to do the same thing with background transfer- specifically mentions windows updates being done in the background?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Depends on you. If you don't need to update it, you can keep it disabled. No problem. Just make sure you're updating Windows Defender regularly.

      Delete
  11. Help me, I have problem. I can't find windows update/change setting. There's only windows update in setting

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Follow this method -http://www.markspcsolution.com/2015/08/disable-windows-10-automatic-update-all.html

      Delete
  12. Help me, I have problem. I can't find windows update/change setting. There's only update and security in setting
    no other option is available in control panel

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Follow this method -http://www.markspcsolution.com/2015/08/disable-windows-10-automatic-update-all.html

      Delete
  13. I have the same problem like Clayman had described. I have 64 bit. I am lost: what should I do EXACTLY if I have 64-bit Win?
    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Follow this method -http://www.markspcsolution.com/2015/08/disable-windows-10-automatic-update-all.html

      Delete
    2. Thanks, it really works!

      Delete
  14. First of all I'd like to say THANK YOU!!! That windows update was ticking me OFF!!! It was running my data charges out of the ROOF! And WHY does windows need to update every day or every two days or even TWICE A DAY? Is it THAT screwed up?

    I tried your "Services" method and it worked perfectly...BUT I'm curious, it was ALREADY set on manual....what does "manual" mean to windows? Does "manual" mean "automatic" because NOTHING was manual about me downloading or installing those updates????

    And NO, I will NOT capitalize the word "windows" here because they don't DESERVE IT!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. After I typed gpedit.msc and entered. I get the following message.
    "Windows cannot find 'gpedit.msc' . Make sure you typed the name correctly ,the try again.
    I doubled check my spelling and try again. Same message appears.

    What is wrong?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some versions of Windows don't include this feature. Use this method - http://www.markspcsolution.com/2015/08/disable-windows-10-automatic-update-all.html

      I promise this will work for you! :)

      Delete
  16. Did Enable and option 5, apply and ok, rebooted. Still not seeing the expanded options. Windows 10 Pro.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Follow this one - http://www.markspcsolution.com/2015/08/disable-windows-10-automatic-update-all.html

      Delete
  17. Your page has been hacked. Twice now I have clicked on the margin and my Norton Antivirus immediately pops up with a message that it blocked "Web Attack: Fake Brower Update 3". Please remove before someone is faked into clicking on the update and installs a virus on their computer.

    ReplyDelete
  18. It could be a false positive for Norton Antivirus but if that it true it is kind of strange that your download is active by clicking on the background wallpaper.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I have changed the settings using the control panel method, saved as type manual but after saving still it shows as Manual (trigger), is it anything different or is it fine to have.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No problem if your windows doesn't download any update . . .

      Delete
    2. Have a now 1 year old Dell with Win 10 already installed. My hot spot usage was suddenly used up without my having used it much. Learned Microsoft is gobbling date & you only realize it if on a limited useage plan.

      Typed in gpedit.msc as recommended to stop auto updates but windows wouldn't accept that. Said not in their system so now back to square one.

      Delete
    3. Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services > Scroll to the bottom > Windows Update > Startup Type > Choose Manual > Apply > OK.

      Delete
  20. Trying this guide on my gf PC and I can't get gpedit to run, I get an error message, despite the account is "owner" and "administrator".
    I don't remember doing any of this on my own... I don't know if because I set this option as soon as W10 was updated or something?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services > Scroll to the bottom > Windows Update > Startup Type > Choose Manual > Apply > OK

      Delete