How to stop automatic updates on Windows 11

Windows 11 receives maintenance and security updates automatically every month and equally required to patch vulnerabilities, set up bugs, ameliorate the overall performance, and (occasionally) add together new features. Although this approach keeps devices updated with the latest bits, it's 1 of the virtually frustrating features since the quality control of updates has been questionable.

This is non simply considering they all the same require a restart to stop applying the changes that can disrupt your workflow but too because the number of updates with bugs negatively affecting the feel has increased significantly in recent years. We have seen updates breaking features, causing drivers and app compatibility problems, slowing down performance, and causing the Bluish Screen of Decease (BSoD).

While it's e'er recommended to keep up with updates, if you lot notice more than problems than improvements or accept a good reason, Windows 11 includes a few options to disable automated updates using Settings, Grouping Policy, and Registry.

In this Windows xi guide, nosotros will walk you through the steps to foreclose Windows Update from automatically downloading updates onto your laptop.

How to disable automatic updates using Settings
How to disable automated updates using Group Policy
How to disable automated updates using Registry

How to disable automatic updates with Settings

When you try to avert a specific update, you lot don't accept to disable the Windows Update feature permanently. You can only use the choice in the settings to interruption updates for up to five weeks. This option is available for Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro.

To disable updates for Windows xi temporarily, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Windows Update.
Use the "Pause updates" setting and select the number of weeks (upwardly to v) you want to disable automatic updates for Windows xi.

Source: Windows Key

One time you complete the steps, Windows 11 will no longer download and install updates automatically during the time you specified in the settings.

If you desire to resume updates, you can use the same instructions shown above, just on step iii, click the Resume updates button.

How to disable automatic updates with Group Policy

On Windows xi Pro and higher, y'all can use the Local Group Policy Editor to permanently disable automated updates or change the Windows Update settings to decide when your estimator gets serviced.

Disable updates completely

To disable automatic Windows eleven updates permanently, use these steps:

Open up Offset.
Search for gpedit.msc and click the top result to launch the Local Group Policy Editor.
Navigate to the following path:

Computer Configuration > Authoritative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage end user experience
Double-click the Configure Automated Updates policy on the right side.

Source: Windows Central
Bank check the Disabled pick to plough off automated updates permanently on Windows 11.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Employ button.
Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, Windows 11 volition stop downloading and installing updates automatically.

If you lot need to update the system, you must do it manually from Setting > Windows Update and click the Cheque for updates push button.

If you want to re-enable automatic updates, yous tin can use the same instructions outlined above, but on step v, make certain to select the Not Configured selection.

Alter updates settings

The Windows Update policy also lets you decide how to disable automatic updates on Windows 11.

To manage automatic Windows eleven updates download with Group Policy, use these steps:

Open up Start.
Search for gpedit.msc and select the top result to launch the experience.
Navigate to the following path:

Estimator Configuration > Authoritative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage end user feel
Double-click the Configure Automatic Updates policy on the right side.

Source: Windows Central
Check the Enabled option to turn on the policy.
Under the "Options" section, select the 2 — Notify for download and auto install option.

Source: Windows Central

Quick note: Since there'due south no specific option to disable the characteristic, the closest culling to disable Windows Updates is the 2 — Notify for download and auto install selection. If y'all choose this option, updates won't download automatically. Instead, on the Windows Update settings page, y'all volition run across an "Install at present" push to manually download and install the patches.
Click the Apply button.
Click the OK button.

In one case you consummate the steps, automatic updates will no longer occur on Windows 11. Notwithstanding, when new updates go available, you can choose to install them manually from the Windows Update settings folio.

How to disable automatic updates with Registry

You can likewise disable automated updates using the Registry in at to the lowest degree two different means, like when using the Local Group Policy Editor.

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that editing the Registry is risky and can cause irreversible impairment to your installation if you don't practice information technology correctly. Before proceeding, it's recommended to brand a total backup of your PC.

Disable updates completely

To disable Windows Updates permanently through the Registry Editor, use these steps:

Open Kickoff.
Search for regedit and click the acme result to launch the Registry Editor.
Navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
Right-click the Windows (binder) key, select the New submenu, and choose the Key option.

Source: Windows Central
Proper name the new key WindowsUpdate and press Enter.
Correct-click the newly created primal, select the New submenu, and cull the Key option.

Source: Windows Central
Proper name the new key AU and press Enter.
Right-click the AU central, select the New submenu, and choose the DWORD (32-bit) Value pick.

Source: Windows Key
Name the new cardinal NoAutoUpdate and press Enter.
Double-click the newly created key and change its value from 0 to 1.

Source: Windows Central
Click the OK push.
Restart the device.

After you complete the steps, the automated update characteristic on Windows eleven will exist disabled permanently. Even so, you tin can still install updates from the "Windows Update" settings page.

If you want to undo the changes, yous can use the aforementioned instructions, simply on step iv, correct-click the WindowsUpdate primal, select the Delete pick, and restart the device.

Change updates settings

On Windows eleven, the Registry also allows you to configure the organization settings to choose how updates are installed instead of disabling the feature altogether.

To customize Windows xi update settings with the Registry, use these steps:

Open First.
Search for regedit and click the summit result to open the Registry Editor.
Navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
Right-click the Windows (folder) key, select the New submenu, and choose the Key option.

Source: Windows Central
Name the new key WindowsUpdate and press Enter.
Right-click the newly created primal, select the New submenu, and choose the Key pick.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Proper name the new cardinal AU and press Enter.
Correct-click the AU key, select the New submenu, and select the DWORD (32-bit) Value option.

Source: Windows Central
Name the new cardinal AUOptions and printing Enter.
Double-click the newly created cardinal and change the value from 0 to 2.

Source: Windows Central

Here is the clarification of the available options:
- 2 — Notify for download and auto install.
- iii — Machine download and notify for install.
- 4 — Automobile download and schedule the install.
- 5 — Allow local admin to choose settings.
- 7 — Auto Download, Notify to install, Notify to Restart.
These options piece of work exactly like the Group Policy settings, and option 2 is the closest to disable Windows Update on Windows 11 permanently.
Click the OK push button.
Restart the device.

Once you consummate the steps, cumulative updates will no longer download and install automatically. Yet, when a new update becomes available, you will find the option to install information technology manually from the Windows Update settings.

Y'all tin always use the instructions outlined above to undo the settings, merely on step 4, right-click the WindowsUpdate key, select the Delete option, and reboot the figurer.

Although updates are essential to patch security vulnerabilities, fix problems, and raise the feel, sometimes, you may desire to disable the feature for diverse reasons. For instance, you want to prevent problematic updates from causing more than impairment than good or you are using specific equipment or programs that may non benefit from a organization update. Or yous desire complete command over updates.

More than Windows resource

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

Windows eleven on Windows Central — All you lot demand to know
Windows 11 help, tips, and tricks
Windows 10 on Windows Key — All you lot need to know

An internet connection will soon be required when setting up Windows 11 Pro

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An internet connexion volition before long exist required when setting upwards Windows 11 Pro

Microsoft has appear that later this year, users will exist required to connect to the net and sign-in with a Microsoft Account during the out of box setup experience on Windows 11 Pro. Microsoft has already been enforcing this requirement on Windows 11 Home since launch terminal October, and Windows xi Pro is now expected to follow suit soon.