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Are you tired of constant Windows updates? While keeping the system up-to-date is essential, if it’s too much and frequent, it risks becoming unusable for hours every time the computer is shut down or restarted. For this, many people turn off the automatic updates found in every Windows 10 and manually update the system.
As with every patch and quality update, bugs in the system fix and security vulnerabilities are closed, so it isn’t recommended to block them forever. These can be used primarily by malicious people to break into your system, and an antivirus (free or paid), no matter how valid, isn’t always enough to fully protect you.
Why Should You Turn Off Windows 10 Updates?
With the release of the new Windows, Microsoft also introduced the automatic updates feature. Although this choice was made for a security issue and to provide more protection for the user, sometimes updates can become very annoying and even cause usability problems.
When the system automatically updates, you never know that you can turn it off immediately or wait for the update to install. Even when the system restarts, you have to wait a few minutes before you can use your computer.
If this bothers you and you decide to disable them, we recommend manually updating the system regularly and whenever it suits you. So you can guarantee more stability and security of your PC.
How to Disable Automatic Updates in All Versions of Windows 10?
There is nothing complicated in blocking automatic updates. The only note to be made is that while there is only one way for those with the ‘Home’ edition, there are others for those with the ‘Professional’ and ‘Enterprise’ editions. That said, the methods we will see only block stability and security related updates, not version updates or feature updates.
Now, let’s see the three safest methods you can use to disable automatic Windows updates in its various versions:
Disable Updates in Windows 10 Home
If you have Windows 10 Home Edition, you have no real possibility to disable or block updates. You only have a real opportunity to pause them and stream them for a maximum period of 35 days. The basic version of this operating system, in fact, has many more limitations than those reserved for professional use. To temporarily disable updates on Win 10 Home, follow these simple steps:
- Go to Settings from the start menu
- Select Update & Security in the window
- Find Windows Update
- Choose Advanced Options
- Scroll down, find Suspend updates and click on it to open the dropdown menu
- Select the date you want to block them
The earliest date you will see is 35 days after you’ve applied the transaction. After this time, updates will continue to run automatically. In short, if you want to block them altogether, you will have to repeat this process more or less every month.
Disable Updates in Windows 10 Pro
Now let’s look at an option reserved for those with the Professional Edition of Windows 10, which includes advanced options and features compared to Home. Among these features, we find the tool we will use; ‘gpedit.msc.’ where you can change group policies. It is a tool that will allow you to block updates and manage which ones you want to install and when. To block Windows 10 Pro updates forever with this tool, you need to:
- Open the Start Menu and go to the search field
- Type ‘gpedit.msc’ or search for Edit Group Policy and select the relevant result (usually the first one)
- Go to Computer Configuration> Administrative Templates> Windows Components> Windows Update
- Open Configure automatic updates by double-clicking on it
- Select Disabled
- Confirm your selection by clicking Apply and then OK.
While the procedure is a bit more complicated, the advantage is that they are completely blocked, and you don’t have to replay the first game seen every month. Change the Disabled option to ‘Not Configured’ to reboot them.
As you can see in conclusion, both procedures are really simple and nothing complicated. If you follow each step to the letter, you can be sure that you will not cause any errors or problems in the system. However, remember that you must do the operations with precision. The slightest mistake can mess up your system, or you may have to go to the repair shop. Just follow the methods we recommend to you to the letter.
We remind you that not only is an old computer safe and no less stable. With Windows updates, you actually improve the protection of the entire system. So, if you disable automatic updates, it’s better to do them manually and keep your Windows up to date. If you still have questions or concerns, let me know in the comments.
