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AUG 26, 2015 @ 12:10 PM 570,313 VIEWS
Windows 10 Hack: 3 Ways To Stop
Forced Updates
Gordon Kelly, CONTRIBUTOR
I write about technology's biggest companies FULL BIO
Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
There is no greater Windows 10 controversy than its policy of forced
updates. While great in theory, for many users the reality of updates
which download and install automatically has been horribly different
and the question on many users lips is: How do you stop them?
Now we have an answer: with three potential options. Each has its
own pros and cons, so read on to find out which is most suitable for
you.
Word of Warning: automatic updates are typically a good thing and I
recommend leaving them on in general. As such these methods
should primarily be used for preventing a troublesome update from
automatically reinstalling (the dreaded crash loop) or stopping a
potentially troublesome update from installing in the first place.
Limitations - For Windows 10 Home users there is no way to stop
methods below are to give you power over feature and driver
updates, less essential areas where I believe users should have
control.
Read more Windows 10 Vs Windows 8 Vs Windows 7: Whats
The Difference?
Windows 10 will be great, but it needs more time Image credit Microsoft
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Opt ion 1: Stop The Windo ws Update Service
As central as it is to the core of Windows 10, Windows Update is
actually just another Windows process so it can be stopped with
these simple steps:
1. Open the Run command (Win + R), in it type: services.msc and press
enter
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3. In Startup Type (under the General tab) change it to Disabled
4. Restart
To re-enable Windows Update simply repeat these four steps, but
change the Startup Type to Automatic
Opt i on 2: Set up A Met er ed Connect i on
Windows 10 offers users on metered connections a compromise: to
save bandwidth Microsoft confirms the operating system will only
automatically download and install updates it classifies as Priority.
While Microsoft doesnt reveal its method of classification, this does
cut down more frivolous updates which typically include new
drivers and software features both of which have already caused
2. Open the Network & Internet section
3. Open Wi-Fi and click Advanced Options
4. Toggle Set as metered connection to On
Note: If your PC uses an Ethernet cable to connect to the Internet the
Metered Connection option will be disabled as it works with Wi-Fi
connections only (silly I know).
Windows 10 is the single operating system working across all Microsoft desktops, laptops, tablets and phones
Opt ion 3: Group Policy Ed itor
This is a halfway house: the group policy editor will notify you
about new updates without automatically installing them (how
Note: Windows 10 Home users have to sit this one out, it is only for
Windows 10 Education, Pro and Enterprise editions.
1. Open the Run command (Win + R), in it type: gpedit.msc and press
enter
2. Navigate to: Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates ->
Windows Components -> Windows Update
3. Open this and change the Configure Automatic Updates setting to 2
Notify for download and notify for install
4. Open the Settings app (Win + I) and navigate to -> Update and
Security -> Windows Updates. Click Check for updates which
applies the new configuration setting
5. Restart
Read more Windows 10: Should You Upgrade?
Alternatively for Windows 10 users without group policy access:
1. Open the Run command (Win + R), in it type: regedit and press enter
2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies
\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU
3. In there create a 32-bit DWORD value called AuOptions and
under Value Data type 2 and click OK
4. Open the Settings app (Win + I) and navigate to -> Update and
Security -> Windows Updates. Click Check for updates which
applies the new configuration setting
5. Restart
Interestingly Microsoft also provides a fourth, slightly different
option that is worth considering
The Show/ Hide Tool
Strangely the so-called Show/Hide Tool is not part of Windows 10
nor can it be found through Windows Update. Instead it can be
Unlike the three options above, the Show/Hide Tool is not proactive
so it doesnt stop any automatic updates from downloading and
installing. Instead it allows you to Hide an update from Windows
10 so if you uninstall it Windows Update will not try to reinstall it
automatically.
This is very useful if a particular update is causing your system
problems. Then again the Show/Hide Tool doesnt work with
Priority Updates.
Windows 10 Show/Hide Tool image credit Antony Leather
Time To See Sense
Of course handy as they are what all these options illustrate is a
need for Microsoft to get with reality.
The fact Windows 10 updates itself automatically by default is
largely a good thing, but every equivalent from rival desktop OSes
and mobile OSes to web browsers all offer the choice to proactively
disable updates if preferred.
For Windows 10 whether this comes in the form of pre-install update
notifications (which can be toggled on or off) or more granular
Until then these workarounds are all you have
Read more Windows 10 Forced Updates Causing Endless Crash
Loops
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