Windows 10 Update Registry Hack
Word of Warning: automatic updates are typically a good thing and I recommend leaving them on in general. As such these methods should primarily be used for preventing a troublesome update from automatically reinstalling (the crash loop) or stopping a potentially troublesome update from installing in the first place.
We are not responsible if your system breaks!!!
Limitations - For Windows 10 Home users there is no way to stop security updates. These are not delivered using the Windows Update Service, but I would not recommend stopping them in any case. The methods below are to give you power over feature and driver updates, less essential areas where I believe users should have control.
Option 1: Stop The Windows Update Service
As central as it is to the core of Windows 10, Windows Update is actually just another Windows process so it can be stopped with these simple steps:
- Open the Run command (Win + R), in it type: services.msc and press enter
- From the Services list which appears find the Windows Update service and open it
- In ‘Startup Type’ (under the ‘General’ tab) change it to ‘Disabled’
- Restart
To re-enable Windows Update simply repeat these four steps, but change the Startup Type to ‘Automatic’
Option 2: Setup A Metered Connection
Windows 10 offers users on metered connections a compromise: to save bandwidth Microsoft confirms the operating system will only automatically download and install updates it classifies as ‘Priority’.
While Microsoft doesn’t reveal its method of classification, this does cut down more frivolous updates which typically include new drivers and software features - both of which have already caused stability problems.
- Open the Settings app (Win + I)
- Open the ‘Network & Internet’ section
- Open ‘Wi-Fi’ and click ‘Advanced Options’
- Toggle ‘Set as metered connection’ to ‘On’
Note: If your PC uses an Ethernet cable to connect to the Internet the Metered Connection option will be disabled as it works with Wi-Fi connections only.Option 3: Group Policy Editor
This is a halfway house: the group policy editor will notify you about new updates without automatically installing them (how previous generations of Windows always worked) - though again security updates will still install automatically.
Note: Windows 10 Home users have to sit this one out, it is only for Windows 10 Education, Pro and Enterprise editions.
- Open the Run command (Win + R), in it type: gpedit.msc and press enter
- Navigate to: Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Update
- Open this and change the Configure Automatic Updates setting to ‘2 - Notify for download and notify for install’
- Open the Settings app (Win + I) and navigate to -> Update and Security -> Windows Updates. Click ‘Check for updates’ which applies the new configuration setting
- Restart
Registry Hack: Make sure you know what you are doing!!!
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Open Registry Editor.
- Go to the following Registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\Auto Update
Set the AUOptions DWORD value here to one of the following values:
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1 = Never check for updates
2 = Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them
3 = Download updates but let me choose whether to install them
4 = Install updates automaticallySee the following screenshot:
- Restart your computer.
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