5 Ways to Turn off Automatic Updates on Windows 11

Windows 11 is constantly updating. While that’s good for security, it can be a pain—especially when updates interrupt your workflow, restart your PC without warning, or break something that was working just fine. If you’re looking for more control over your system, here are five effective ways to turn off automatic updates on Windows 11.

1. Pause Updates Temporarily

If you just need a short break from updates:

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update.
2. Under Pause updates, select a date from the drop-down menu.

This pauses updates for up to 5 weeks. After that, Windows will resume checking automatically. Great for temporary relief.

2. Set a Metered Connection

This trick works by making Windows think you’re on a limited data plan:

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet.
2. Click on your Wi-Fi or Ethernet network.
3. Toggle on Metered connection.

This limits background data usage, including most automatic updates.

Note: This doesn’t completely block updates but slows them down significantly.

3. Use the Group Policy Editor (Windows 11 Pro Only)

If you’re on Windows 11 Pro, this method gives you more control:

1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
2. Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage end user experience.
3. Double-click Configure Automatic Updates.
4. Set it to Disabled or choose Notify for download and auto install.

Click Apply, then OK.

This won’t work on Windows 11 Home unless you upgrade or enable Group Policy manually.

4. Disable the Windows Update Service

This stops the update service entirely:

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Scroll down to Windows Update.
3. Right-click and select Properties.
4. Under Startup type, choose Disabled.
5. Click Stop, then Apply.

Warning: This completely halts updates. You’ll need to turn it back on manually to receive future patches.

5. Use a Third-Party Tool

There are trusted apps that give you one-click control over Windows updates, like:

• Windows Update Blocker
• StopUpdates10
• Wu10Man

Always download from official or reputable sources. These tools provide a clean interface for blocking updates without digging into system settings.

Final Thoughts

Automatic updates are designed to keep your PC safe—but they can be disruptive. Whether you need to pause them temporarily or shut them down entirely, these five methods put the power back in your hands.

Disclaimer: Disabling updates can leave your PC vulnerable. If you block them, make sure you update manually from time to time.

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