Welcome to our article on how to disable Windows 11 update permanently. If you’re one of the many Windows users who are tired of constant updates, then you’ve come to the right place. Depending on the version of Windows 11 you have installed, the method to turn off automatic updates may differ. Thankfully, we’ve got everything you need to know in this detailed guide.
Steps
1. Stop the Windows Update service
The first step to disabling automatic updates on Windows 11 is to stop the Windows Update service. To do this, you’ll need to follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “services.msc” and hit Enter.
3. Scroll down to find the Windows Update service.
4. Right-click the service and select “Properties.”
5. In the “General” tab, click the “Stop” button.
2. Disable the Windows Update service
Once you’ve stopped the Windows Update service, you’ll need to disable it. Here’s how:
1. In the same “Properties” window, locate the “Startup type” drop-down menu.
2. Select “Disabled” from the menu.
3. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
3. Disable the Windows Update tasks
Windows 11 has multiple scheduled tasks that manage how and when updates are installed. Disabling these tasks will ensure that no updates are installed without your consent. Follow these steps to disable these tasks:
1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “taskschd.msc” and hit Enter.
3. Expand “Task Scheduler Library” and navigate to Microsoft > Windows > UpdateOrchestrator.
4. Here you’ll see a list of tasks. Right-click each task and select “Disable”.
5. Repeat this step for all the tasks listed under UpdateOrchestrator.
4. Disable automatic driver updates
Windows 11 also has an option to automatically download and install driver updates. This can be annoying, especially if the driver update causes more problems than good. To disable automatic driver updates, follow these steps:
1. Open “Settings” and click “Update & Security”.
2. Click “Windows Update” on the left-hand menu.
3. Click “Advanced options”.
4. Under “Driver updates”, toggle off the “Automatically update drivers” option.
5. Edit the Group Policy Object
Group Policy is a feature in Windows that allows network administrators to customize policy settings for users and computers on their network. It can also be used by power users to make changes to system settings. Follow these steps to disable automatic updates using Group Policy:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “gpedit.msc” and hit Enter.
3. In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update.
4. Locate the “Configure Automatic Updates” policy setting and double-click it.
5. In the policy settings screen, select “Disabled” in the drop-down menu.
6. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
6. Disable background intelligent transfer service
The Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) is a Windows service that manages downloads and uploads of files. It is responsible for downloading updates in the background, even if you’ve disabled Windows Update. Disabling BITS will ensure that no updates are downloaded without your consent. Here’s how:
1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “services.msc” and hit Enter.
3. Scroll down to find the “Background Intelligent Transfer Service” and right-click it.
4. Select “Properties” and in the “General” tab, click “Stop”.
5. In the “Startup type” drop-down menu, select “Disabled”.
6. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
7. Disable Windows Update Medic Service
The Windows Update Medic Service is responsible for repairing Windows Update components and checking for new updates. If disabled, it won’t be able to scan for updates or repair any components. Follow these steps to disable the Windows Update Medic Service:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “services.msc” and hit Enter.
3. Find “Windows Update Medic Service” in the list.
4. Right-click the service and select “Properties”.
5. In the “General” tab, click “Stop”.
6. Set “Startup type” to “Disabled”.
7. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
8. Change the network type to metered connection
Changing your network connection to “metered” will inform Windows to limit data usage, including downloads of updates. This is especially useful for users on limited data plans as it prevents updates from using up all their data. Follow these steps to change your network type to metered:
1. Open “Settings” and click “Network & internet”.
2. Click on the Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
3. Toggle “Metered connection” to “On”.
9. Use third-party software
Several third-party software applications can be used to disable updates permanently. These include StopUpdates10, WUMT Wrapper Script, and Windows Update Blocker. However, be careful when using these tools as they may cause system instability or security issues.
10. Modify the Registry
Editing the Windows Registry can be tricky, and mistakes can cause system failures. However, if done correctly, it can be used to disable Windows updates permanently. Here’s how:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “regedit.exe” and hit Enter.
3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows.
4. Right-click the “Windows” key, select “New,” and then “Key.” Name it “WindowsUpdate” and press Enter.
5. Right-click the newly created key and select “New,” and then click “DWORD (32-bit) value.” Name it “DisableOSUpgrade” and press Enter.
6. Double-click the “DisableOSUpgrade” key and set the value to “1”.
7. Restart your PC to apply the changes.
11. Disable Windows 11 automatic updates using Windows Registry File
You can also disable Windows 11 automatic updates using a registry file. Follow these steps:
1. Open Notepad.
2. Copy and paste the following text:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
“NoAutoUpdate”=dword:00000001
“AUOptions”=dword:00000002
“ScheduledInstallDay”=dword:00000000
“ScheduledInstallTime”=dword:00000002
3. Save the file as “Disable_Windows_Update.reg.”
4. Double-click the file to run it.
5. Restart your PC to apply the changes.
12. Reset Windows Update components
If none of the above methods work, you can try resetting Windows Update components. Follow these steps:
1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “cmd” and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open Command Prompt as an administrator.
3. In the Command Prompt, type the following commands:
net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop appidsvc
net stop cryptsvc
4. Press Enter after each command.
5. Type the following command to rename the Software Distribution folder:
ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
6. Type the following command to rename the Catroot2 folder:
ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.old
7. Finally, restart your PC to apply the changes.
Explanation
Now that you’ve followed the steps above, you can rest assured that Windows 11 updates won’t be installed without your consent. You can still manually check for updates and install them at your convenience. Disabling Windows Update permanently can be risky and may cause security vulnerabilities, system crashes, and compatibility issues. Additionally, it’s recommended to update your operating system to the latest version to ensure your PC is secure and optimized.
Tips and Tricks
1. Create a system restore point before making any changes to your system settings.
Creating a restore point will allow you to revert back to the previous state of your system if something goes wrong during the process. This is especially important if you’re making changes to your Registry or Group Policy settings.
2. Use the “Pause updates for 7 days” option to temporarily stop updates
If you’re not ready to permanently disable updates, you can use the “Pause updates for 7 days” option under “Windows Update” to stop updates temporarily. This option can be used up to 5 times, which means you can pause updates for up to 35 days.
3. Keep your drivers updated manually
Although disabling automatic driver updates may help prevent issues with hardware compatibility, it’s still important to keep your drivers updated manually. You can download the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website.
4. Use a reliable antivirus software
Disabling Windows updates permanently may expose your PC to security vulnerabilities. It’s always a good idea to have reliable antivirus software installed to protect your PC from malware and other security threats.
5. Verify that your computer is compatible with the latest version of Windows 11
Before updating your system to the latest version of Windows 11, make sure your computer meets the minimum system requirements. Installing Windows 11 on an incompatible system can result in errors and compatibility issues.
6. Be cautious of third-party tools
Using third-party tools to disable Windows updates may cause system instability or security issues. Always do your research before using any third-party software and ensure that it’s from a trusted source.
7. Don’t completely ignore updates
Although updates can be frustrating, they often include important security patches and bug fixes. It’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest updates to ensure your system is secure and optimized.
8. Use Group Policy to manage updates on a network
If you’re managing updates on a network, you can use Group Policy to customize policy settings for users and computers on the network. You can control how and when updates are installed and even prevent users from changing Windows Update settings.
9. Check for updates regularly
Although automatic updates may be disabled, it’s important to check for updates manually regularly. This will ensure that you’re always up-to-date with the latest security patches and bug fixes.
10. Consider upgrading to Windows 11 Pro
If you’re a power user or need more flexibility in managing updates, consider upgrading to Windows 11 Pro. It has additional features available, including the ability to defer updates and manage updates on a network.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Disabling Windows 11 Update Permanently
Advantages
1. Control Over Updates: Disabling Windows 11 update permanently gives users complete control over when they want to update their system. This can come in handy in situations where users need to ensure that their computer stays stable without any unexpected updates.
2. Improved Performance: Windows 11 updates can take a toll on system performance. By disabling them, users can ensure that their computer remains running smoothly without any interruptions that updates can cause.
3. Bandwidth Conservation: Automatic updates can consume a significant amount of bandwidth, especially when multiple devices are connected to the same network. By disabling updates, users can conserve bandwidth for other purposes.
4. Avoid Incompatible Updates: Automatic updates can bring in new features, but sometimes they can cause compatibility issues with certain hardware or software. By disabling them, users can avoid any potential issues.
5. Saves Time: Disabling Windows 11 updates permanently can save users time on unwanted system reboots and updates that can take a considerable amount of time to download and install.
Disadvantages
1. Security Risks: By disabling Windows 11 updates permanently, users are potentially exposing their computer to security threats that automatic updates can fix. It is important to keep in mind that the latest updates can address vulnerabilities and improve security.
2. Miss Out on Features: Automatic updates bring in new features and improvements that can enhance the user experience. Disabling updates means that users will miss out on these new features.
3. Compatibility Issues: Updates sometimes address compatibility issues with certain hardware and software. By disabling them, users may encounter compatibility issues that can affect their computer’s performance and functionality.
4. Lack of Support: If users choose to disable Windows 11 updates permanently, they will miss out on Microsoft’s support for any issues they may encounter with their system or software.
5. Time-Consuming Updates: Disabling Windows 11 updates may seem like a viable option for saving time, but manually updating the system can be time-consuming and tedious. This can be inconvenient for users who have limited time to devote to updating their computer.
FAQ
1. Why would I want to disable Windows 11 updates?
Some users may prefer to disable Windows 11 updates to avoid potential issues with new updates, to keep storage space available, or because they are using software that is incompatible with the latest updates.
2. Is it possible to disable Windows 11 updates entirely?
Yes, it is possible to disable Windows 11 updates entirely, but it is not recommended for most users as it can leave your computer vulnerable to security issues.
3. How can I disable Windows 11 updates temporarily?
You can pause Windows 11 updates for up to 35 days by going to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Pause updates.
4. How can I disable Windows 11 updates permanently?
You can disable Windows 11 updates permanently by using Group Policy or making changes to the registry. However, this option is intended for advanced users and can have negative consequences.
5. Can I still manually check for updates after disabling automatic updates?
Yes, you can still manually check for updates by going to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
6. If I disable Windows 11 updates, will my computer be at risk?
Disabling Windows 11 updates can leave your computer vulnerable to security issues and may also affect the performance of your computer. It is recommended to only disable updates if absolutely necessary.
7. Can I reverse the changes and enable Windows 11 updates again?
Yes, you can reverse the changes and enable Windows 11 updates again by using Group Policy or making changes to the registry.
8. Will disabling Windows 11 updates affect my software and drivers?
Disabling Windows 11 updates can affect the compatibility of your software and drivers with future updates, which may cause issues with your computer.
9. Does Windows 11 Home edition allow users to disable updates?
Windows 11 Home edition does not allow users to disable updates, but you can pause updates for up to 35 days.
10. Is it safe to download and install updates from third-party websites?
No, it is not safe to download and install updates from third-party websites as they may contain malware or other security threats.
11. What are the risks of disabling Windows 11 updates?
The risks of disabling Windows 11 updates include leaving your computer vulnerable to security threats and potential issues with software compatibility and performance.
12. What should I do if I encounter issues with a Windows 11 update?
If you encounter issues with a Windows 11 update, you can try troubleshooting or contacting Microsoft support for assistance.
13. Can I choose which updates to install and which to skip?
Yes, you can choose which updates to install and which to skip by going to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Choose when updates are installed.
Conclusion
All in all, disabling Windows 11 updates permanently is not a recommended practice as updates are crucial for the overall performance and security of your computer. However, if you have a valid reason to do so, you can follow the steps listed above accordingly.
Remember, disabling updates can leave your system vulnerable to potential security threats, so make sure to keep your system updated regularly.
Closing
Thank you for reading this article on how to disable Windows 11 updates permanently. We hope this guide has provided you with valuable insights on how to customize and manage your Windows system efficiently.
However, we strongly advise against disabling updates altogether, as it can lead to potential risks and a decrease in system performance. Be sure to stay up-to-date with the latest Windows updates, and enjoy a safe and optimized computing experience.
Until next time, take care and keep exploring new ways to enhance your Windows PC!