Automatic updates are useful and ensure that Windows is always up-to-date, making your computer better protected against the latest viruses, malware and leaks. Still, updates released by Microsoft increasingly contain annoying bugs. That's why it sometimes doesn't hurt to install updates later. For that you have to disable the automatic Windows 10 updates.
How do I turn off automatic updates on Windows 10?
- Go to the search field next to the start button, type the text gpedit.msc and click on the search result. A new window will then open called Group Policy Object Editor.
- Navigate to Computer Configuration
- Management Jalons
- Windows Components
- Windows Update
- In the right panel, double click Configure automatic updates. A new window will appear. Click on the left side Enabled and under Options choose the setting that best suits your needs.
Automatic updates are useful, but sometimes a bug sneaks into a new update and can cause your computer or Windows Update to crash. That's why some people prefer to take a look before installing a recent update. Also, Windows Updates often just don't work out well. For example, are you rendering a video, downloading large files, busy with a project... It really doesn't matter what. Microsoft considers Windows 10 a service, which gives the company the right to update your PC the way it comes from Microsoft. However, it's your PC, so how and when Windows 10 updates. You decide that yourself.
In older versions of Windows, you could completely disable automatic updates, giving you complete control over updating your operating system. There are of course risks involved, which is why Microsoft has decided to no longer give people the option not to update the operating system from Windows 10 onwards. However, there are a number of detours so that you can still disable automatic updates.
Using Group Policy Object Editor
Are you using Windows 10 Professional, Enterprise or Education? Then you can use the Local Group Policy Object Editor to disable automatic updates.
Go to the search field next to the start button, type the text gpedit.msc and click on the search result. A new window will then open called Group Policy Object Editor.
In the left panel, navigate to Computer Configuration / Administration Shades / Windows Components / Windows Update. In the right panel, double click Configure automatic updates. A new window will appear. Click on the left side Enabled and choose under Options the setting that best suits your needs.
Pretend your internet connection has a data limit
You can also pretend that your internet connection has a data limit in Windows 10. But beware: This only works if your computer has a Wi-Fi connection. It does not work for an Ethernet connection.
Go to Settings / Network & Internet and open the tab WiFi. Choose Advanced options and turn on the switch Set as metered connection on On. Windows 10 now thinks that your internet connection has a data limit, and therefore will not download automatic updates. You must choose this setting for each Wi-Fi network you connect to.
Postpone feature updates
Since version 1903 of Windows 10, Microsoft has tightened the reins on delaying updates. Windows 10 Pro users in particular have to go back into the Group Policy Editor for this.
No updates for now
Due to the corona crisis, Microsoft has changed its plans with regard to the rollout of Windows 10 updates. From May this year there will be no new optional updates for the operating system and the focus for Microsoft is now on tightening the security of Windows 10.
