How to stop Windows auto updates?


Rich A

Rich A

Member
Local time
9:32 AM
Posts
12
Location
About 2 feet in front of Monitor
OS
Windows 11 Professional (x64) Version 23H2 (build 22631.3737)
Is there any way to "control" windows updates with the latest Win 11? I'd simply like to be notified when they are available AND be able to selectively pick which to download. Actually I'd be fine with auto downloading them but I must be able to control when they are actually installed. Been a user of windows since before PC days and the first windows.

Now have my first Win 11 install for about 10 months on a headless custom built HTPC running 24/7 and some of windows 11 features are driving me crazy. Constantly being interupted and I have auto update totally disabled in group policy BUT even though it's disabled, Windows continues to update automatically any time it wants every day. Been playing for weeks with all the "crazy complicated" focus assist junk and wndows update settngs. Recently the most recent major OS update has caused even more new probems. I've seen recent other posts here where someone complained that disabling updates in group policy settings no longer worked but no resolution was found yet. My next try will be to hack the registry. Looking for any advise here first.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Professional (x64) Version 23H2 (build 22631.3737)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    BeeLink Mini PC SEi 8
    CPU
    Intel i5-8259U
    Motherboard
    Board: AZW SEi UEFI: American Megatrends Inc. 5.13 03/01/2022
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel(R) Iris(R) Plus Graphics 655 [Display adapter]
    Sound Card
    1- Intel(R) Display Audio 2 - USB PnP Sound Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 LG ULTRAFINE [Monitor] (27.2" 4k HDMI 2 - LG 27" HD TV
    Screen Resolution
    1 - 3840 x 2160 2 - 1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 - CT500P3PSSD8 500.11 GB NVMe
    2 - SPCC 2.5 SSD 512.11 GB SSD
    PSU
    19v @ 3A External
    Case
    Mini - PC
    Cooling
    1 fan internal heat sinked CPU
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    GB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
From the top of my head...

You could set it on a Metered connection - that way big updated won't start till you manually select download.

You could disable the services - but you won't see what updates are available till starting them again.

You could block them with a firewall - and disable the block (or firewall) - while manually searching for updates.

There should be some group policy options as well (also editable through registry).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WinDOS 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    Intel & AMD
    Memory
    SO-DIMM SK Hynix 15.8 GB Dual-Channel DDR4-2666 (2 x 8 GB) 1329MHz (19-19-19-43)
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia RTX 2060 6GB Mobile GPU (TU106M)
    Sound Card
    Onbord Realtek ALC1220
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung PM981 NVMe PCIe M.2 512GB / 1x Seagate Expansion ST1000LM035 1TB
Rich A said:
I'd simply like to be notified when they are available AND be able to selectively pick which to download. Actually I'd be fine with auto downloading them but I must be able to control when they are actually installed.
Click to expand...
This group policy does it for me. Configure it for '2 - Notify for download and auto install'.

1683320045334.png

In Windows Update I see this....

1683320079985.png

1683320091521.png
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October 2021 it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update, and 24H2 on 3rd October 2024 through Windows Update by setting the Target Release Version for 24H2.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro.

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Dev, Beta, and RP 24H2 as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds (and a few others) as a native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM SIX is a Dell Latitude 5550, Core Ultra 7 165H, 64GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, supported device, Windows 11 Pro 24H2, Hyper-V host machine.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround. In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround. Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package. In-place upgrade to 24H2 using hybrid 23H2/24H2 install media. Also running Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro.

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Dev, Beta, and RP 24H2 as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds (and a few others) as a native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM SIX is a Dell Latitude 5550, Core Ultra 7 165H, 64GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, supported device, Windows 11 Pro 24H2, Hyper-V host machine.
With 40+ years experience, dealing with Microsoft, I've learned, the hard way NOT to trust Windows updates.
As a working PC tech, in my own business, I've learned that MS Updates just can not be trusted, to not cause problems on any particular PC.
OH, I know, the MS fanboys will say that they have gotten auto updates for years with no ill effects.
And they will say it, even if not true. But I have countless experiences with updates that have gone Horribly Wrong, and left a PC totally disabled!
So, after I've installed Win-11, for instance, and it's downloaded all the relevant drivers for the PC's hardware, I run a little program that disables all MS Updates. The same program can turn Update back on if i ever desire it.
That program is an integral part of the Software I use when install Windows.
"Stopupdates10setup.exe" is all you need.
www.majorgeeks.com

Download StopUpdates10 - MajorGeeks

StopUpdates10 is designed to allow or block Windows 10/11 updates. Many similar apps don't work with the latest version of Windows. By default, you should see "Windows Updates is not blocked" in red letters and a red button that says "Stop Windows Updates!" Once blocked, everything is reversed...
www.majorgeeks.com

I hope that someone, reading this post, will download that program and run it. It works great for me, on all my PC's running Windows 10 or Windows 11. It's totally reversible, if the need ever arises.

Cheers Mates!
TM :cool:
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Cinco de Mayo.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

This guide will teach you the steps to prevent updates from being installed on Windows 11 version 21H2, 22H2, and higher releases.

 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
    Motherboard
    Erica6
    Memory
    Micron Technology DDR4-3200 16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC671
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster U28E590
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG MZVLQ1T0HALB-000H1
I use the WU pause advanced option to pause updates for the max time. Only issue is to remember the date and look at Brink's notifications regarding updates and their effects before unpausing or extending the pause.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W11 Home v. 23H2 bld. 22631.44602
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP ENVY/TE01-3254
    CPU
    Intel i7 12700, @ 2.1-4.9 ghz, 12 core
    Motherboard
    The Mother Of All Boards
    Memory
    16GB, DDR4, 3200 mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 770
    Sound Card
    internal, 5.1 Surround Sound
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC 22", mdl: 2269W
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 internal- 1 TB SSD, 1 internal-1 TB SATA HDD, 1 USB external- 256GB SATA HDD, 2 USB external- 1 TB SATA HDD
    PSU
    310 watts
    Case
    HP ENVY
    Cooling
    Air, three internal fans
    Keyboard
    HP wireless
    Mouse
    HP wireless
    Internet Speed
    200+ Mb/sec Local Cable Gateway, Netgear R6400 bridged router, PC ethernet connection to Modem/Route
    Browser
    FireFox v.113.0.2, Chrome v.112.0.5615.121
    Antivirus
    Norton360 w/LifeLock
    Other Info
    4 USB 2.0 Type A Ports, 2 USB 3.0 Type A Ports, 2 USB 3.1 Type A Ports, 1 USB 3.0 Type C Port, 2 M.2 Slots
    Macrium Reflect v.8.0.7279

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.3194
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme+256gb SKHynix m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+1tb Kingston m2.nvme+ 4gb Solidigm nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
Oh my. My first time here in this form has not disappointed. Very good info from all for me to digest. Thank you. I'm already familiar with, and had tried some of the suggestions. I appreciate the time and effort to help. I get the feeling that "TechnoMage2021" may be a "kindred spirit". <grin> I'm an old retired computer repair shop owner since the early 1970s. I'm not a tech wizard but did pick up some knowledge from the Techncians I employed. I'll have to update my profile here someday with some history. My first computers were a SWTP and later Heathkit with reel to reel analog tape recorder for storage. First "floppy drive" was a "floppy 8 inch thing". <grin>

Sorry for the trip down memory lane. So when and if I get the autoupdate thing to work (I always had the PC in question using an OS like Unix, DOS, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10 and now 11), I will still want to be able to control the download. Pretty sure this 11 system is so automated that once I DO start the OS update, it will just do a bulk download of EVERYTHING and automatically install it all. This is why I "used" to hold off all updates for a few weeks until I could see what effect they would have on others so when I DID start the update later, I'd be prepared and hopefully be able to find, fix or modify the results before my PC is messed up because of some incompatihle personalzation I've done to my system. The problem is so far, all attempts to STOP windows up doing ANY auto updates has failed.

I "thnk" my problem became more an issue with this latest Windows version recently auto-updated during an OS update.
Windows 11 Pro 64 bit. 22H2 OS Build 22621.5555
Experience Windows Feature Pack 1000.22640.10000

If I had to guess something with this "Feature Pack" is causing some problems, with with my programs AND more importantly the updates.

Note that things I've tried have all been enabled and ARE showing they are enabled and supposedly working, but the system is STILL actually doing the automatic updates. There are a couple of suggestions listed here that I have not tried yet. Gonna give them a shot. Will be back with result.

Thanks for the quick and detailed help everyone.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Professional (x64) Version 23H2 (build 22631.3737)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    BeeLink Mini PC SEi 8
    CPU
    Intel i5-8259U
    Motherboard
    Board: AZW SEi UEFI: American Megatrends Inc. 5.13 03/01/2022
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel(R) Iris(R) Plus Graphics 655 [Display adapter]
    Sound Card
    1- Intel(R) Display Audio 2 - USB PnP Sound Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 LG ULTRAFINE [Monitor] (27.2" 4k HDMI 2 - LG 27" HD TV
    Screen Resolution
    1 - 3840 x 2160 2 - 1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 - CT500P3PSSD8 500.11 GB NVMe
    2 - SPCC 2.5 SSD 512.11 GB SSD
    PSU
    19v @ 3A External
    Case
    Mini - PC
    Cooling
    1 fan internal heat sinked CPU
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    GB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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