how to stop automatic updates

Question

I have 4 Windows computers I use at work.  Automatic updates happen at the worst times and often lock up the system.  How do I stop or control these updates.  I use my computers for audio playback on set, and you haven't lived until Spike Lee askes you to play something back and your laptop suddenly reboots and gives you the update, 1% message.

Answer 1

You can't stop them - Windows 10 consists of a continuous series of updates - but you can exercise a great deal of control over them.

The first thing to do is to setup Active Hours. That's a contiguous block up time, up to 18 hours, when Windows 10 will not restart to finish installing an update. Find the settings at Start menu > Settings app > Updates and Security > Windows Update.

If it's outside Active Hours and Windows detects that you're still using your computer, e.g., you're typing on the keyboard or moving your mouse, you'll be prompted with a very noticeable message box in the lower right corner of your screen that lets you choose when Windows will restart.

If you have the Professional edition of Windows 10, you can use the Group Policy editor to delay receiving updates in the first place, but only Active Hours controls the restart.

Answer 2

I have 4 Windows computers I use at work.  Automatic updates happen at the worst times and often lock up the system.  How do I stop or control these updates.  I use my computers for audio playback on set, and you haven't lived until Spike Lee askes you to play something back and your laptop suddenly reboots and gives you the update, 1% message.  

Hello,

You can use Group Policy to block automatic updates. This ensures updates are downloaded/installed only when you want them:

1. Open GPO snap-in by running gpedit.msc command.
2. Go to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Update.
3. Double click Configure Automatic Updates policy setting, select Enabled. Then under 'Configure automatic updating' section, choose 2 - Notify for download and notify for install.
4. Click Apply, followed by OK.

Multiple reboots will finally disable auto updates.

Reference: https://www.kapilarya.com/avoid-windows-updates-automatic-download-windows-10

Let us know if this helps!

Note: Included link in this reply refers to blog post by a trusted Microsoft MVP.

Answer 3

Hi bigmaho

as these are work computers i assume you are running windows 10 professional in which case you can set the group policy to inform you of updates but wait until you are ready, before downloading and installng

click start, type gpedit and select "run as administrator"

in the left panel, navigate to

local computer policy -> computer configuration -> administrative templates -> windows components -> windows updates

in the right hand panel, double click on configure automatic updates

in the new window, select enabled

under options, select "2 - notify for download and auto install"

click Apply then Ok.

close the group policy editor

next time an update is available you will receive a notification, if/when it is convenient click on the notification or go to settings -> update & security -> windows update to start the download and install the updates.

if you are running windows 10 home (this will also work with pro) you can postpone updates for up to 35 days.

any time during the 35 days (when convenient) you can check for and install updates, then pause again.

settings -> update & security -> windows update

click Advanced options, under "pause updates" select a date from the drop down.

note - when this date is reached windows will install available updates, you must check for and install updates before you can pause updates again.

in addition to the above, check that notifications are turned on so that you get a warning of a restart

settings -> update & security -> windows update

click Advanced options, turn on Update notifications

I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any problems with the above.