Turning off Windows Update in Windows 10 is a common move when every little update feels like a hassle — especially if your system keeps restarting unexpectedly or you just want more control over when patches get installed. It’s not foolproof, and sometimes it’s a balance between security and convenience, but doing it via the Services app is straightforward enough. The goal? Disable the Windows Update service so it won’t automatically download or install updates, giving you peace of mind or at least a breather. Just a heads up: on some setups, the service might restart after updates or re-enable itself, so it’s not always permanent unless you take additional steps. But for most folks, this gets the job done, at least temporarily.
How to Turn Off Windows Update in Windows 10
Open the Services Application
Hit Win + R to open the Run dialog, then type services.msc and press Enter. This opens the Services window, where all those background Windows processes live, including Windows Update. If you’re in a hurry, you can also search for “Services” in the Start menu, but using Run is quicker if you know the command.
Here’s where Windows likes to organize its little helpers, and for some reason, turning off updates means messing with a service so Windows doesn’t fetch patches behind your back.
Locate the Windows Update Service
Scroll down the list and find “Windows Update” — it’s usually near the bottom, alphabetically. Double-clicking it opens the properties window. In some cases, you might see it labeled as *wuauserv* in the Service name column — just the technical side, but the display name is what you’re after.
Pro tip: it might take a second for the list to load if your PC is a bit sluggish.
Change the Startup Type to Disabled
In the properties window, find the dropdown labeled Startup type and select Disabled. This tweak tells Windows not to start this service when your PC boots up. It’s kind of weird, but on some setups, even after stopping the service, Windows might turn it back on after updates, so disabling it helps keep it off until you turn it back on manually. This is especially handy if you’re trying to avoid those endless update prompts and restarts. Expect the service not to start on its own, but be aware that major Windows updates or certain error conditions might override this — it’s not a magic shield, just a handy trick.
Stop the Service Immediately
Click the Stop button right below the Service status label. Stopping the service now kills any update process that might be running in the background. On some setups, this might fail if a process is locking the service, so if that happens, reboot first and try again.
Doing this makes sure Windows isn’t sneaking in updates right after you set things to disabled. Not sure why it works, but sometimes a quick restart helps lock the setting in place more reliably.
Apply Changes and Confirm
Hit Apply then OK to save everything. This step is crucial because, otherwise, your changes might not stick. Once done, close out of the Services window.
From now on, your PC shouldn’t download or install updates automatically. But remember, if you decide to update in the future, you’ll need to re-enable the service — because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
Extra tip: Keep an eye on your system security
Just turning updates off can leave you vulnerable, so it’s good practice to occasionally check for updates manually (via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates).And, of course, make sure you back up important files before messing with system services — sometimes things go sideways, even when you’re just trying to avoid a restart or two.
Tips for Managing Windows Updates Effectively
- Check update status: Periodically hit “Check for updates” so your machine isn’t completely out of the loop unless you’re intentionally off the grid.
- Backup first: Major changes or less trusted hacks? Always back up your data, just in case.
- Revisit the settings: Re-enable updates after major security patches, or when life gets back to normal.
- Monitor security: Use antivirus and firewall tools to at least protect yourself while updates are paused.
- Stay informed: Sometimes, you just have to stay updated manually or use other tools like WSUS Offline Update or third-party patch blockers if you want more control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why bother disabling Windows Update?
If updates are causing more trouble than they’re worth, or if you’re trying to avoid sudden restarts during work hours, turning off the update service helps. Just keep in mind, you’re also delaying essential security patches, so weigh the risks.
Is it safe to disable updates long-term?
Not really. While it’s fine to pause for a bit, ignoring updates forever leaves your system vulnerable to exploits. Best to check manually from time to time or re-enable when a critical update drops.
How often should manual checks be done?
Once a month is a decent rhythm — enough to catch security patches without feeling overwhelmed by update prompts.
Can I disable just some updates?
Yeah — in Windows, you can pause specific updates or use “Advanced options” to defer feature updates. That’s a different route but worth exploring if you want granular control.
What if I wanna turn updates back on later?
Just repeat the process: change Startup type back to Automatic or Manual, then hit Start to get Windows updating again. It’s straightforward enough, but keep an eye out if updates try to override your settings.
Summary
- Open Services via
services.msc - Find Windows Update
- Set startup type to Disabled
- Click Stop
- Save changes with Apply and OK
Wrap-up
Turning off Windows Update can buy some time and keep those nagging restarts at bay, but it’s not a long-term solution for security. Keep tabs on your system, run manual checks, and toggle updates back on when needed. It’s kind of a juggling act, but with a little care, you can stay both in control and safe. Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours trying to fix update annoyance or prevents some headaches. Good luck!