How to Turn Off Automatic Updates in Windows 11

Windows 11 requires occasional updates to add new features and improve security. However, the timing for the updates can be inconvenient. Additionally, new updates can bring about bugs or other incompatibility issues. If you don’t want Windows 11 to install updates automatically, follow this guide to turn them off.

Pause Automatic Updates Temporarily with Settings

Pausing automatic updates from Settings is the easiest way to prevent Windows 11 from automatically installing updates. This will temporarily stop updates from being installed. However, Windows 11 will automatically resume installing updates when the period you set elapses.

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Click on Windows Update.

   

3. Under the Pause updates option, select how long you want to pause updates.

   

Disable Automatic Updates via Registry

If you want to disable automatic updates permanently, you can do so by editing the Windows Registry.

Warning: The following steps involve editing the Windows Registry. This can be a risky process, and you should only proceed if you’re comfortable working with the Registry Editor. We recommend that you create a backup of the Registry if something goes wrong.

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “Regedit” and press Enter. The Registry Editor will open.

   

3. Navigate to the following key:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows

4. Right-click on the Windows folder and select New > Key.

   

5. Name the new key WindowsUpdate and press Enter.

   

6. Now that you have created the WindowsUpdate key right-click on it and select New > Key.

   

7. Name the new key AU and press Enter.
8. You have now created the AU key. Right-click on it and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

   

9. Name the new value NoAutoUpdate and press Enter.

   

10. Double-click on the NoAutoUpdate value and set it to 1. Press OK. This will disable automatic updates.

    

11. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

Disable Automatic Updates via Update Services tool

The Update Services tool is a more advanced way to disable automatic updates. This method will prevent Windows from checking for, downloading, and installing updates.

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “services.msc” and press Enter. The Services window will open.

   

3. Scroll down the list of services and find Windows Update. You will find it towards the end of the list.
4. Double-click on Windows Update to open its properties.

   

5. In the Properties window, set the Startup type to Disabled.

   

6. Click OK and restart your PC.

   

Disable Automatic Updates via Group Policy Editor

The Group Policy Editor is another advanced way to disable automatic updates in Windows 11.

Note: The Group Policy Editor is only available in Windows 11 Pro and above editions. If you’re running Windows 11 Home or another incompatible version, you won’t be able to use this method.

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “gpedit.msc” and press Enter. Local Group Policy Editor will open.

   

3. Expand the Computer Configuration option and navigate to Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage end user experience.

   

4. Double-click on the Configure Automatic Updates setting. The Configure Automatic Updates will now open.

   

5. Under the Configure Automatic Updates section, select Disabled.

   

6. Click Apply, then OK. If you want to enable automatic updates again, you can follow the same steps, but in step 5, select the Not Configured or Enabled option instead.

   

Disable Automatic Updates via Block Utility Application

The Block Utility Application is a free tool that can block Windows from automatically installing updates.

You can download the Block Utility Application from here. Once you download it, follow these steps to disable automatic updates.

1. Launch the Block Utility Application.
2. Under the Windows Update Option, select Disable Updates, then check the Protect Services Settings option.

   

3. Click Apply Now, then OK. The Block Utility Application will now block Windows from automatically installing updates.

   

Disable Automatic Updates by Setting Up a Metered Connection

A Metered Connection is an internet connection with a limited data allowance. This means that you will only be able to download a certain amount of data before your connection is cut off.

What are the benefits of this approach? First, windows will not download updates over a metered connection unless you explicitly allow it. This means that you can prevent Windows from automatically downloading and installing updates without having to disable the entire Windows Update service.

Note: Setting up a metered connection can affect apps other than Windows Update.

1. Press the (Windows key + I) to open the Settings app.
2. Click on Network & Internet.

   

3. Click the Properties option for your Wi-Fi or Ethernet (depending on which connection you’re using).

   

4. In the Metered connection section, turn on the toggle switch.