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General discussion

Is there a way to disable auto-updates for Windows 10 Home?

May 25, 2018 5:24PM PDT

Six months ago we bought a brand-new HP desktop-combo with Windows 10 Home edition and have subsequently found out there is NO WAY we can control these Windows updates. They are "hard-wired" into the computer!!

Completely out of user control whether the user wants it or not - it will get installed! Are there any ways to disable these updates? Thank you in advance for your help.

--Submitted by Peter M.

Discussion is locked

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Are you an Admin?
Jun 1, 2018 6:53PM PDT

I bet you are running as an Admin. This gives any programs running on your machine Admin rights. Become a user and you can just say no by not granting explicit Admin rights.

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Updates
Jun 1, 2018 7:47PM PDT

There are few ways but personally would never do that myself and have been a windows user from beginning of windows in the 90's. A lot of security updates with ever evolving threats. Recommended to keep up with. Personally other than space issue on the drive would not turn that off. Would rethink your strategy on this one. Best regards

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Yes, don't use Windows 10!
Jun 1, 2018 7:55PM PDT

Quite simply, don't use Windows 10. Windows 7 still works fine, in fact Windows XP still works fine, there is NO reason to have these on (newer) computers. All you need is loads of anti-malware in addition to Microsoft's crappy security.
OR you can get even a new computer that doesn't use it.. think Apple, or Linux.
If you really don't need Microsoft programs (and you don't need "Office" at home, LibreOffice does just fine, and you don't "Need" all those games that only run on Windows...) then the second is probably best for you.
Or, just throw the thing out and get an Android tablet. Even many sub 100 dollar ones come with keyboards now, if that's an issue. Much cheaper and probably does well over 90% of what you need; without a full blown computer (or laptop) hanging around. You can always get a decent used older computer for the few things you think you need Windows for. Oh and there are plenty of games on Android, too, for you gamers out there that enjoy Candy Crush, Farmtown, and all that stuff.

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Metered connection combined with important update settings
Jun 1, 2018 8:43PM PDT

Alert: No matter which way you decide to turn off Windows updates, see #2 below concerning some important update settings.

I like to run updates 4-6 times a year: a month after each of the two major builds and a couple of times imbetween. The responses in this forum entitled "The easy way" and "You can disable auto-update in Services" both speak to a great solution. Here is another method in case you want a different approach or would like to combine both methods "for insurance".

1. Turn on Metered Connection. This will block most or all updates. It will also prevent a lot of unnecessary bandwidth usage, thus allowing your PC to run faster. (In the past it has blocked all updates, but Microsoft has warned that they might bypass it occasionally.) Go to:

Settings > Network & Internet > Wifi > Status > Change connection properties > Set Metered Connection to ON.

2. Modify some hidden Update settings:

Settings > Update & Security > Advanced options > Uncheck "Enabling this policy will automatically download updates . . . "

Then, still within Advanced options, select Delivery Optimization and modify the settings as follows:

a. Temporarily set "Allow downloads from other PCs" to ON (the default), and then make sure the option which includes "PCs on the Internet" is NOT selected. (If selected, this enables your PC to be used by Microsoft for peer-to-peer uploads and downloads.)

b. Now set "Allow downloads from other PCs" to OFF.

Reminder: before running updates, create a restore point and make sure the computer is fully backed up to an external drive or to the cloud.

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What if I'm using ethernet?
Jun 1, 2018 9:49PM PDT

What if my computer only has ethernet and I really don't won't spend money to add WIFI?
Is there any way to get metered connection settings?

Steve

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Re ethernet and metered connection
Jun 1, 2018 10:14PM PDT

There is a way to set an ethernet connection as metered, but you have to modify settings in the Windows registry. Here is an article on it - it is complicated, and I wouldn't recommend it unless you already have extensive experience working with the registry.
https://www.windowscentral.com/how-set-ethernet-connection-metered-windows-10

So in your shoes I would recommend seeing the posts mentioned above, "The easy way" and "You can disable auto-update in Services". Both are describing the same procedure. It does modify the registry, but using a few very simple steps.

(Also do step 2 above.)

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Ethernet & metered connection
Jun 1, 2018 11:27PM PDT

Thanks for the info and the link. I'm going to try to do this one step at a time. I changed the group policy already, but Windows update beat me to the punchline and the newest update is already awaiting rererereinstall again.

Steve

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can you spend this much to add wifi?
Jun 2, 2018 5:50PM PDT
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New info regarding post above
Jun 2, 2018 11:06PM PDT

My post above is mainly about turning on the metered connection, but I also mentioned an alternative method citing two posts on this forum. Unfortunately that solution has proved to be temporary - Windows turned Updates back on again! So best solution may be to use the metered connection in conjunction with the other Windows settings mentioned.

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Useful tweaks for Updates/Upgrades, for pro's ...
Jun 3, 2018 1:03AM PDT

Thanks for the comprehensive info on this topic for Win10 Settings for regular users.

But, here are some useful tweaks for pro's, which I did write a few weeks ago here on another thread on this same topic (sorry, now, corrected &hellipWink.

0 (new). GPEdit.msc could in case be installed also on Win10 Home with this .bat, downloaded from -> https://www.itechtics.com/?ddownload=26357 and then run as Admin.

Warning! This following is for info only for those enough used to fiddle with the RegEdit and User Rights! Anyway, before beginning the tweaking, take a full copy of the Registry, or at least some smaller branch of the Registry in question for back-up!

1. Here are the tweaks for the net connections metering options, with which you can regulate the bigger Updates/Upgrades downloading, on the non-metered ones to got downloaded and on the metered ones to prevent (until changing them). Note 0 (new). Some critical Updates may have rights to ignore this! Note 1. A Mobile Router may be seen on the machine as a Wi-Fi/Ethernet! Note 2. This may have affect also on the OneDrive functions!

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\DefaultMediaCost-> go to any 3G/4G/Ethernet/Wi-Fi -> right-click -> Edit -> change the value (hex or dec)

-> non-metered -> 1
-> metered -> 2

But, note! To make changes to the DefaultMediaCost key require the permissions to be granted to the Administrators by

-> DefaultMediaCost -> right click -> Permissions -> Advanced -> Owner Change -> type Administrators -> OK -> tick Replace -> Apply -> OK -> change to Administrators -> tick Permit Full Rights -> OK

And, note! When the changes are not anymore actual, remember to do these procedures vice versa, if not the rights, but anyway the values!

2. Here are the tweaks for Windows Update options DWORD settings, and, if you don't have this WindowsUpdate\AU key there at all, please add it

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU
-> AUOptions DWORD -> add/change the value (hex or dec)

-> Change setting in Windows Update app (default) -> 0
-> Never check for updates -> 1
-> Notify for download and notify for install -> 2
-> Auto download and notify for install -> 3
-> Auto download and schedule the install ->4

I think the most useful and easy one in use is the setting -> 3

Lucky tweaking!

Best regards,

PeteVfi

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I use this
Jun 2, 2018 1:43AM PDT

I use the lines below in a .cmd file and it runs every hour in task scheduler as windows has a nasty habit of switching it back on.
I enable the service when I want the updates.

Rem stop windows update
sc config "wuauserv" start= disabled
sc stop "wuauserv"
rem Pause

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I Uswe Media Creator
Jun 2, 2018 4:24AM PDT

I like your command file.

My PC is about 6 years old. It was updated from Win 7 to 10 Home without a hitch. I pretty much like everything about it however the automatic updates have been a PITA. I haven't been able to update Windows 10 beyond 1607. I would encounter freezes during the update process forcing me to press the power button to keep going. The update process continues but eventually ends with a black screen with nowhere to go. A few more shutdowns and reboots later it restores the older windows version. This would happen 4 times a day and the update process from the time it starts to the time it restores the old version is usually about an hour.

I would turn off the windows update service but as you say, windows would just turn it on again.

The way I've solved it is that I run the media creator tool and just leave it open on my taskbar. From this Windows thinks the upgrade is about to happen so it pretty much leaves me alone. I say pretty much because lately it starts reminding me once a day to complete the upgrade. Other than that, it leaves me alone.

I'd just like to say that I would love to do the upgrade but I have now hit a milestone of almost 100 upgrade failures so I need to be realistic. Of course, there's the option of resetting the windows with a fresh clean copy. I may do that at some point but I'm really not sure even that will work.

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I've Suggested This Before
Jun 2, 2018 9:44AM PDT

You do know that, unless you are running AVAST or AVG, that the black screen you mentioned (at least in my case) lasts about 1/2 hour and then the process continues? Yes, I know. It is a stupid design I pause updates until I have everything clear. You need to run a few things. For command prompt, right click on the word "Start" in the taskbar and then left click on "Command Prompt (Admin). Run these several times but, you should look them up online so you know what to expect:

SFC /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth

Also, if you go into "settings", then pick "Update and Security" there are choices under "troubleshooting" like for "Windows Update"

You should also visit your OEM manufacturer (Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.) and go to the support site and download the latest drivers. If you added hardware, you should revisit the manufacterers' websites too. Put that stuff on a jumpdrive to use before and after an update). This is especially important if you have a laptop instead of a desktop. Most portables have hardware that may not be 100% standard.

Hope some of this helps you.


Also, if you can get into the Windows Update settings, see if you have a link for Update history. Go over that to look for error codes. You can look those up on the web.

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Regarding updates won't run - try empty external drive
Jun 2, 2018 1:44PM PDT

Try attaching an unused external hard drive (Seagate Backup Plus etc.) Your updates may run now that there is more storage available. Start the update, and at some point you will be prompted to indicate you want to use an external drive. This usually but not always works.

Post was last edited on June 2, 2018 3:11 PM PDT

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are you running ATOM processor?
Jun 2, 2018 5:52PM PDT

If so, Windows 10 has dropped support updates for those.

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But If You Enable Updates
Jun 2, 2018 9:30AM PDT

Then you are going to get all of the updates. I guess, it is best to PLAN for the updates. I use the "Pause Updates" feature in Win 10 Pro that lets you turn them off for a while but you still get the updates the minute you turn them back on.

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Off Topic but...
Jun 2, 2018 3:14AM PDT

Questions like this often turn up suggestions such as Mac, Linux or Windows XP, interesting byt not necessarily what the questioner wants. For those devotees of Windows XP, you may or may not be aware of ReactOS, which is an open source operating system being developed by a bunch of smart guys. It looks somewhat like XP and though still in development, can run Windows programs up to Win 10. I repeat, it's in an early development stage, so don't install it as your primary system just yet but is interesting.

https://www.reactos.org/

Disclaimer, I have no connection with the project.

To the OPs question, though I'm not a great fan of Win10, I only maintain one for :family support, I do think that if you see Windows as your long term OS, you should be on 10 and as others, particularly some of the regular experienced commentators have said, while the automatic updates are not perfect, they do provide the most secure environment, especially for less technically oriented folks. Look back at how much of the serious malware has affected systems which were missing an update, sometimes years old. XP is still a significant target, as Win7 will become in 13 months, when it drops out of extended support.

Why Microsoft doesn't revise their update process like most Linux distributions, where updates are offered on a continuous basis for update at users' convenience in the background, with most not needing a reboot, is beyond me.

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Find a work around for auto updates
Jun 2, 2018 7:25AM PDT

There is only one MAJOR problem with auto updates, it can crash your other programs. I did a manual update on my Win7 and was unable to use my accounting program. It cost me a payroll day, IT person and the time then needed to get the accounting program back up and running. There was a particular update that cycle that took out my BuildSoft, once the update was removed, by my local IT guy, I then had to contact IT from BuildSoft to make the program run again. I had to manually write my payroll checks that Friday, then had to put in the manual checks and also, what had been input prior to my updating was still there waiting for printing, but all I had put in after the update had to be done manually. It was a weeks process. I'm now afraid to run any updates because of that glitch. I don't have the time to access all these people and then do things twice - three times. My IT guy says he's been run ragged this past week with Microsoft updates screwing up the motels booking systems, so I think if there is a work around on the auto-update, then take it and only download what you think may be the most important and keep your fingers crossed that it doesn't crash other programs. I know that most of you won't have the BuildSoft program, as it's a construction specific accounting program, but there could be other programs out there that could be affected. It did not bother QuickBooks, as I have that accounting program on my computer also for the rest of the accounting I have to do.

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Battery Saver can prevent Windows 10 updates
Jun 3, 2018 1:32AM PDT

Just learned by accident that downloads for Windows Update won't take place if Battery Saver is running. (Not to be confused with "power saver" settings.)

Settings > System > Battery > Battery Saver > Turn it on and set a percentage.

I have mine set at 90% to prevent battery drain while hibernated overnight, and in general for better efficiency. Tonight I turned off Metered Connection in order to upgrade to version 1803. Instead of the update running, I got a message: "Battery Saver is on, so we've paused downloads." So I lowered the percentage to 10% and immediately Windows Update started running.

For me the Metered Connection along with modification to certain settings is working. (See post "Metered connection combined with important update settings".) But if it fails at some point in the future, maybe the answer is Battery Saver set to 100%.

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Battery Saver ... interesting point!
Jun 3, 2018 1:44AM PDT

Oh, great, very interesting accidental observation on all this "mess"!

Post was last edited on June 3, 2018 1:46 AM PDT

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Why?
Jun 3, 2018 4:48AM PDT

I don't understand why you'd mess with other settings if you can simply turn off Windows Update via Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Services/Windows Update?
Reading all these different "end run" solutions is getting ridiculous. The answer to the original question of "Is there a way to disable auto-updates in Windows 10 Home" is simply "YES" - set it to "Disable"!

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You are right, but ...
Jun 3, 2018 7:17AM PDT

So, to shut the Windows Update on Services is in itself OK, but I think it will be opened back anyway very soon by the system itself.

But, if shutting it you may get in troubles, if no critical Updates will get done at a right time.

I think users, and why not MS, too, would be more happy, if some other smarter solutions would be used, if available and known ...

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It remained disabled for me
Jun 3, 2018 9:35AM PDT

When I disabled Windows Updates (not just "Stopped" the service), it remained disabled for a month until I enabled & started it again. Sure, it's possible other systems may work differently, just like some people's computers are bricked by 1803 Update, and others are fine.
Again, the question is can you disable Windows Updates, and the answer is yes, but it should be understood that means ALL updates, including important security updates. You can't pick and choose among offered updates anymore. In the long run, users should eventually get 1803 and other major updates. I've asked several times here at CNET if anybody can say what exactly causes big problems when installing 1803 in hopes that users can avoid those problems.

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After 1803 install, check whether system protection still on
Jun 3, 2018 10:10AM PDT

I ran 1803 last night and have experienced zero bugs. But . . . it turned off system protection! Luckily I went to run a restore point and discovered it, so turned it back on again.

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Yes, very essential ...
Jun 3, 2018 10:47AM PDT

OK, for me one of the first things to be checked and got in working order and Manually taking a Restore Point after an Upgrade, maybe even a second one before leaving the machine!

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System Settings, IMHO
Jun 3, 2018 1:10PM PDT

In the "old days" before Win 10, even the largest "updates" (feature or patches) did not do this. BUT... If you went from let's say, WIN XP to VISTA or to WIN 7 or WIN 8, you would expect changes in settings. Since MS no longer plans to release new versions of Windows like they did in the past, these semi-annual monster updates are the new equivalent to you completely replacing the OS. Since major releases would remove or add settings, MS appears to be resetting all of the settings back to some kind of default settings. (This is just my opinion, not necessarily the way it actually works.
One thing I did after 1803, I went back and checked every single setting. What I noticed is that the settings have changed in both type and number. If you have not done 1803 yet, you might want to get screen shots of all of your settings and then see what you have after 1803. I noticed a LOT has changed and I'm not talking about just the value of the settings or on/off considerations. There are a lot more settings in some areas.
I suspect MS did not go out of their way to try and preserve settings. I went through ALL of them since I suspected that this would be the case. Like you, I found system protection turned off on my system. I'll state this is conjecture, on my part.

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Yes, Disabled ...
Jun 3, 2018 10:21AM PDT

OK, sorry, meant Disabled, but was too inaccurate ...

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Sometimes Not Updating Best Thing
Jun 4, 2018 10:16AM PDT

I’ve ran into a number of issues with updates.
Family members with free school laptops that are nagged about updating Windows when then only got 32 GB of storage.
Most of it is already filled and the update needs 12 GB.
These EMMC flash hard drives from Dell and others are a rip.
The update causes the laptop not to boot until I either find the boot profile or do a reinstall.
I set the updates to only diwnload and update when asked so they can use their units but told them to save for a new laptop soon.
If you have these units don’t update. Just keep it simple and udate virus nd malware updates and use Chrome.