How to Stop Automatic Updates in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / October 11, 2025

Are you tired of Windows 11 restarting at the worst possible moment because of an update? You’re not alone. While Windows updates are crucial for security and performance, automatic updates can sometimes interrupt your work, gaming, or streaming.

The good news? You can control when and how Windows 11 installs updates — or even stop them temporarily.

In this detailed guide, you’ll learn how to stop automatic updates in Windows 11 step by step, using multiple safe methods — from Settings to Group Policy, Registry Editor, and more.

💡 Why Stop Automatic Updates in Windows 11?

Microsoft designed Windows 11 to automatically update your system to keep it secure and stable. However, there are valid reasons why you might want to pause or stop automatic updates, such as:

  • 🕒 Avoiding unexpected restarts during work or gaming.

  • 💾 Preventing large downloads on limited or metered connections.

  • 🧪 Avoiding buggy updates that cause system crashes or driver conflicts.

  • 🔧 Testing environments where stability is more important than new features.

⚙️ Overview: 6 Proven Ways to Stop Automatic Updates in Windows 11

Here’s a quick summary before we dive into each method:

Method Difficulty Effectiveness Best For
1. Pause Updates in Settings Easy Temporary (up to 5 weeks) Most users
2. Set Metered Connection Easy Temporary Laptop/Wi-Fi users
3. Disable Windows Update Service Moderate Long-term Advanced users
4. Use Group Policy Editor Advanced Permanent (Pro editions) IT users
5. Edit Windows Registry Advanced Permanent Experienced users
6. Use Third-Party Tools Easy Customizable Beginners

🖱️ Method 1: Pause Automatic Updates via Windows Settings

This is the quickest and safest way to stop updates temporarily.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

  2. Navigate to Windows Update from the left sidebar.

  3. Click Pause updates under the “More options” section.

  4. Choose how long to pause (up to 5 weeks).

✅ Done! Your system will not download or install updates during this period.

Pro Tip:
When you’re ready, click Resume updates to start getting updates again.

📶 Method 2: Set a Metered Connection

Windows treats metered connections as limited-data networks and reduces background activity — including updates.

How to Set It:

  1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet.

  2. Click on Wi-Fi (or Ethernet if using cable).

  3. Select your connected network.

  4. Scroll down and toggle Metered connection → On.

This tricks Windows into pausing automatic updates — ideal for laptops on Wi-Fi.

⚠️ Note: This won’t stop critical security updates, but it will prevent most feature updates and downloads.

🧰 Method 3: Disable the Windows Update Service

If you want a more long-term solution, you can disable the Windows Update service entirely.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.

  2. In the Services window, scroll down to Windows Update.

  3. Right-click → select Properties.

  4. Under Startup type, choose Disabled.

  5. Click Stop if the service is running → then Apply → OK.

✅ This completely halts automatic updates — no downloads, no installations.

To re-enable later:
Go back and set Startup type to Automatic (or Manual) and click Start.

🧱 Method 4: Use Group Policy Editor (Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, Education)

This method is available only on Windows 11 Pro and higher editions. It gives you full control over how updates are handled.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.

  2. Navigate to:

    Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Windows Update → Manage updates offered from Windows Update

  3. Double-click Configure Automatic Updates.

  4. Select Disabled or choose Enabled and set it to “Notify for download and auto install”.

  5. Click Apply → OK.

✅ Windows will now stop automatic updates and ask for permission before downloading.

🧩 Method 5: Stop Automatic Updates Using the Registry Editor

⚠️ Warning: Modifying the Windows Registry can affect system behavior. Create a system restore point first.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.

  2. Navigate to the following path:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU

    (If “WindowsUpdate” or “AU” keys don’t exist, right-click → New → Key to create them.)

  3. Right-click in the right pane → New → DWORD (32-bit) Value.

  4. Name it NoAutoUpdate.

  5. Double-click it and set Value data to 1.

  6. Click OK and restart your computer.

✅ Automatic updates are now disabled via Registry modification.

To re-enable:
Delete the NoAutoUpdate entry or set its value to 0.

🧮 Method 6: Use Third-Party Tools (Optional)

If you prefer a simpler way to manage updates without diving into system settings, several trusted third-party tools can help.

Popular Options:

Tool Features Free?
O&O ShutUp10++ Fine-tuned privacy and update controls ✅ Free
StopUpdates10 Easy toggle to disable updates completely ✅ Free
Windows Update Blocker Lightweight, portable, effective ✅ Free

These tools offer one-click options to pause, disable, or re-enable updates — perfect for non-technical users.

🧭 Bonus: How to Stop Driver and Feature Updates

Sometimes Windows installs driver updates automatically, which can cause instability or hardware issues.

To disable driver updates:

  1. Press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl, and hit Enter.

  2. Go to the Hardware tab → click Device Installation Settings.

  3. Select No (your device might not work as expected) → click Save Changes.

This prevents Windows from automatically downloading device drivers.

🧠 Method 7 (Optional): Use Active Hours to Manage Update Timing

If you don’t want to stop updates entirely, you can limit when they install.

How to Set Active Hours:

  1. Go to Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options.

  2. Click Active hours.

  3. Choose Automatically adjust active hours or set your preferred time manually.

✅ This ensures Windows doesn’t restart your PC for updates during your work hours.

🔄 How to Resume Updates When You’re Ready

When you’re ready to receive updates again:

  1. Go to Settings → Windows Update.

  2. Click Resume updates or turn Metered connection off.

  3. If you used Services or Group Policy, revert the settings to Automatic or Enabled.

⚠️ Things to Keep in Mind

  • Disabling updates indefinitely can make your system vulnerable to security threats.

  • Always manually check for updates every few months.

  • Keep your antivirus and drivers up to date.

  • For critical patches (like zero-day exploits), Microsoft may still push updates even if settings are disabled.

🧾 Quick Comparison: Methods to Stop Automatic Updates in Windows 11

Method Technical Level Duration Reversible Recommended For
Pause in Settings Beginner Up to 5 weeks ✅ Easy Everyday users
Metered Connection Beginner Until toggled off ✅ Easy Laptop users
Disable Service Intermediate Long-term ✅ Manual Power users
Group Policy Advanced Permanent ✅ Windows 11 Pro users
Registry Editor Advanced Permanent ✅ Tech-savvy users
Third-Party Tools Beginner Custom ✅ Easy Non-technical users

🧩 Troubleshooting: If Windows Still Updates Automatically

If updates continue despite your efforts:

  • Check if Windows Update Medic Service is running. You can disable it temporarily through third-party tools.

  • Verify your Group Policy or Registry settings weren’t overridden after an update.

  • Run the following in Command Prompt (Admin) to reset update components:

    net stop wuauserv
    net stop bits
    net stop cryptsvc
    del %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution /q /s
    net start wuauserv
    net start bits
    net start cryptsvc

🧠 Best Practices: Manage Updates Smartly

Instead of turning updates off forever, try this approach:

  • Pause updates when working on something critical.

  • Schedule installations during off-hours.

  • Manually check updates monthly to keep your PC secure.

  • Use System Restore before installing big updates — a safety net in case something breaks.

✅ Conclusion

And there you have it — a complete, step-by-step guide on how to stop automatic updates in Windows 11. Whether you use simple settings like pausing updates, advanced methods like Group Policy, or convenient third-party tools, you now have full control over when and how Windows updates your system.

Remember: Updates are essential for keeping your system safe, but you don’t have to let them control you. With the right settings, you decide when updates happen — not Windows.

❓ FAQs About Stopping Windows 11 Automatic Updates

1. Can I permanently stop Windows 11 from updating?

Yes, but it’s not recommended. You can use Group Policy Editor or disable the Windows Update service to stop them indefinitely, but you’ll need to manually check for security patches.

2. Why does Windows keep updating even after I disable it?

Windows has background services (like Update Medic Service) that sometimes restart updates. Disabling these or using a third-party update blocker can help.

3. Is it safe to stop automatic updates?

It’s safe short-term, but long-term disabling may expose your PC to security risks. Always install critical patches manually.

4. Do third-party update blockers work?

Yes — tools like O&O ShutUp10++ and StopUpdates10 are reliable and easy to use.

5. Can I stop only driver updates but keep system updates?

Absolutely. Use the Device Installation Settings method mentioned above to block driver updates only.

📝 Summary of Key Takeaways

  • You can pause updates up to 5 weeks via Settings.

  • Setting a metered connection prevents automatic downloads.

  • Group Policy and Registry Editor provide permanent solutions.

  • Always backup and create a restore point before changing settings.

  • Manage updates smartly instead of turning them off forever.

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