How do you turn off windows 10 updates which are really powerful? - Microsoft Q&A (2024)

Completely turning off Windows updates is generally not recommended, as updates often include important security patches and bug fixes that help protect your system and keep it running smoothly. However, I understand your concern if you're facing compatibility issues with Windows 11 on your current hardware.

If you still want to disable Windows updates, keep in mind that doing so can leave your system vulnerable to security threats and might result in a less stable experience over time. If you decide to proceed, here's how you can do it:

Method 1: Using Group Policy Editor (For Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions)

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter. This opens the Group Policy Editor.
3. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update.
4. Double-click on Configure Automatic Updates.
5. Select the Disabled option to turn off automatic updates.
6. Click Apply and then OK.

Method 2: Using Registry Editor (Use with caution)

Before proceeding with this method, I must emphasize that editing the Windows Registry can potentially cause serious issues if not done correctly. Make sure to back up your registry before making any changes.

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows.
4. Right-click on the Windows key, select New, and then choose Key. Name it WindowsUpdate.
5. Right-click on the newly created WindowsUpdate key, select New, and then choose DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it AUOptions.
6. Double-click on AUOptions and set its value to 1 (for "Never check for updates").
7. Click OK.

Method 3: Pause Updates

You can also pause updates temporarily:

1. Go to Settings (press Win + I).
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. In the Windows Update section, click on Advanced options.
4. Under the Pause updates section, you can select a date to pause updates until.

Remember that even if you manage to turn off updates, it's important to keep your system secure. You might consider alternative solutions like using a more lightweight operating system or upgrading your hardware to meet the requirements of Windows 11.