Here's
how to change the Local Group Policy Editor settings:
1. Use the Windows
key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.
2. Type gpedit.msc and
click OK to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
3. Browse the following
path:
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows
Components\Windows Update
4. On the right side,
double-click the Configure Automatic Updates policy.
5. On the left side,
check the Enabled option to enable the policy.
6. Under Options,
you'll find a number of ways to configure automatic updates, including:
o 2 - "Notify for
download and notify for install."
o 3 - "Auto
download and notify for install."
o 4 - "Auto
download and schedule the install."
o 5 - "Allow local
admin to choose setting."
You should select the update option you want to configure. If you select option
4, you can specify exactly when to install new updates. You can also choose
to install updates during automatic maintenance, on a particular day and time,
and you can even check the option to include other Microsoft product updates
when updating the OS.
7. Click Apply.
8. Click OK to
complete the task.
While
you can pick from any of the available options, your best choice is
probably 2 - Notify for download and notify for install. This
option will not only prevent the OS from downloading updates automatically,
which can save you data when using a metered internet connection, but you'll
get a notification when new updates are available.
When
new updates are released, you'll receive a notification in Action Center, but
updates won't download and install until you're ready and do the following:
1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update
& security.
3. Click on Windows
Update.
4. Click the Download button.
5. Click the Restart button
to complete the task.
How to prevent automatic updates using the
Registry
Instead
of using the Local Group Policy Editor, you can also change the Windows 10
updates using the Registry.
Important warning: Editing the registry is risky, and it can cause
irreversible damage to your installation if you don't do it correctly. It's
recommended that you make a full
backup of your computer before
proceeding.
1. Use the Windows
key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.
2. Type regedit,
and click OK to open the Registry.
3. Browse the following
path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
4. Right-click the Windows (folder)
key, select New, and then click Key.
5. Name the new key WindowsUpdate and
press Enter.
6. Right-click the newly
created key, select new, and click Key.
7. Name the new key AU and
press Enter.
8. Inside the newly
created key, right-click on the right side, select New, and click
on DWORD (32-bit) Value.
9. Name the new key AUOptions and
press Enter.
10.
Double-click the newly created key and change its value using
one of the following options:
o 2 - "Notify for
download and notify for install."
o 3 - "Auto
download and notify for install."
o 4 - "Auto
download and schedule the install."
o 5 - "Allow local
admin to choose settings."
11.
Click OK.
12.
Close the Registry to complete the task.
Although
you can use any of these available values, your best choice is to change the
value to 2 to configure the "Notify for download
and notify for install" option. Using this value prevents Windows
10 from downloading updates automatically, and you'll get a notification when
new updates are available.
After
tweaking the Registry, when new updates become available, you'll receive a
notification in Action Center, but updates won't download and install until
you're ready and do the following:
1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update
& security.
3. Click on Windows
Update.
4. Click the Download button.
5. Click the Restart button
to complete the task.
Wrapping things up
The
steps mentioned in this guide are meant to prevent regular updates that patch
security vulnerabilities and improve the overall performance of Windows 10. If
you're looking to prevent the OS from installing feature updates, such as
the Windows
10 Fall Creators Update,
you need to use this
guide to defer major updates.
We
do not recommend using a computer without the latest updates, because they're
often key to keeping your Windows 10 PC running properly. However, there will
be times when you may want to manually apply new updates, when you want to install
them during a particular time, or because you want to wait until you're sure
the update will not cause issues.
If
you only want to prevent your computer from restarting when you're actively
using it you can
configure Active Hours in the Settings app.
More Windows 10 resources
For
more help articles, coverage and common questions about Windows 10, check out
the following resources:
·
Windows 10 on Windows
Central – All you need to know
·
Windows 10 help, tips, and
tricks
·
Windows 10 forums on
Windows Central