Although one of the best of features found on any OS from Microsoft, the automatic update feature found on Windows 10 has been known to have a mind of its own when it comes to downloading updates for your laptop/system. Some have reported that the automatic update had downloaded drivers that were half baked or simply the wrong driver for their device. This tutorial will show you how to turn off updates on your Windows 10 laptop.
The precursor is that you’re dealing with Windows 10 Professional or above to change the update settings.
1. Power up and log-in to your Windows 10 laptop.
2. Press the Windows key + R.
3. In the run command box, type services.msc and tap on Enter.
4. In the new window, on the right pane with the services listed, find Windows Update.
5. Once found, double click on the listing.
6. On the Windows Update Properties window, General tab, locate Startup type.
7. Click on the drop down menu to bring up your options.
8. Choose Disabled.
9. Click on Apply then on OK.
Please note, you can’t use Windows automatic update feature and programs will not automatically download and install. If you do want to update your OS, you will need to follow through steps 1 to 7 and set the Startup type to Automatic.
Another option is to use Group Policy Editor to change the behavior of Windows updates.
10. In the run command box, type "gpedit.msc".
11. Click on OK.
12. Using the left pane, navigate to:
13. On the right pane, locate and double click on Configure Automatic Updates.
14. In the new window, select the Disabled option listed under Configure Automatic updates.
15. Click on Apply and then on OK.
Like the previous caution, you will need to perform steps 10 to 13 and choose Enabled to enable any ability for the OS and the apps to update.
Another option is to change device installation settings.
16. In the search box, type Control Panel.
17. Click on System.
18. On the left pane, click on Advanced system settings.
19. In the pop up System properties window, click on the Hardware tab.
20. Click on Device Manager listed under Device Manager.
21. Select No in the follow up notification window, then click on Save Changes.
22. Click on OK.
This prevents the OS from downloading any drivers for your device. You will need to download and install all drivers for your devices manually and will need to check if there are any latest revisions by visiting your device manufacturers support site.
The last option you have is to set your connection to Metered. What this does is it tells the OS that you’re running off a monthly plan and each MB is precious to you.
23. Click on the Start>Settings.
24. Click on Network & Internet.
25. On the left pane, click on Wi-Fi.
26. Click on Manage known networks.
27. Select the Wi-Fi connection you’re using>properties.
28. You should see a radio button with the title Set as metered connection.
29. Click on it to slide the option to On.
Once you move to a connection that is not metered or if you set the metered option to Off the updates will resume for your OS.
Windows 10 needs to be connected at all times to bring the best out of the new OS environment from Microsoft and as such this tutorial should not be used as a permanent solution.
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