Stopping Windows 10 from updating?

Etherton

Etherton

Will Bang for Poof
Joined
Aug 7, 2006
Messages
6,996
Device: Huawei Matebook E - Windows 10 Home, build 1607. OS Build 14393.0

Can it be done? I've used several different "guides" and all have ended in auto-updates. This has became ridiculous as I am reformatting the device once a week. Yep, once a week or so because I am stuck using IE and can not disable it from updating. When it updates it breaks a website I use for work - due to MS Silverlight and high interactivity framework siebel bs. I've tried everything over the years to fix this and it can't be done.

TLDR; can Win 10 updates be disabled?
 
Simple short sweet deadly accurate to the point no BS answer: nope, not really.

The only sorta-kinda-half-ass method requires WIndows 10 Enterprise LTSB and that's not a retail product and not generally available to consumers albeit there are thousands upon thousands of folks using it in a not-quite-so-legit manner.

Realize this one basic fact of Windows 10 in any edition or version: it's a rolling release OS by design which means it will constantly be looking for updates just like a modern Linux distro does. Unfortunately for Microsoft, Windows shouldn't be a rolling release OS and they're learning this slowly but surely every time they push updates out that fuck up people's machines in some manner then yet another update has to take place to fix that one which of course breaks something else and so on.

tl;dr Not really, if you're that concerned about any updates run Windows 7 which is still a completely usable and totally valid OS to this day which does run on the latest hardware even in spite of Intel and Microsoft and now AMD making claims to the contrary. It's not less secure right now than it was a year ago, two years ago, etc. You don't see some massive malware or virus attack that is specifically targeting Windows 7 (like Microsoft seems to want people to believe it entirely possible) because it's not.

Unless of course Microsoft releases some update for Windows 7 that specifically breaks something to a point where it can be exploited - that hasn't happened yet but I won't put it past Microsoft to do something of that nature, not for a second. :D
 
Tiberian said:
Simple short sweet deadly accurate to the point no BS answer: nope, not really.
The only sorta-kinda-half-ass method requires WIndows 10 Enterprise LTSB and that's not a retail product and not generally available to consumers albeit there are thousands upon thousands of folks using it in a not-quite-so-legit manner.
Click to expand...

Errr - no sorry - it's very simple to completely disable all forms of auto updates on Win 10 Pro and Enterprise versions (I'm not so sure re: home edition as I never use it).
There's several simple group policy settings to change - and that's about it. Less than a 5 minute job.
I've run each version of Win 10 with all auto updates disabled and the preview versions too.
I'm not at home right now, but can provide the GPO settings if required later.
 
When I said "Nope, not really" that was meant to convey the idea that with each successive "release" of Windows 10 Microsoft can, does, and has made changes to the base OS itself and actually removed some aspects from the end user's capability to control and I have no doubt that when they're ready to do it they'll patch Windows 10 across the board to prevent end users (except those with LTSB and perhaps one other Enterprise variation) from preventing updates plain and simple.

I can see where it's taken 100% literally so I suppose I should have clarified it by saying "Well yes, you can disable updates now but that's not going to last..."

Personally I prefer to just tell people "No..." for most Windows 10 questions because if it works now, it more than likely won't work later so, why set someone up to get frustrated and pissed in the future? :p
 
Tiberian said:
When I said "Nope, not really" that was meant to convey the idea that with each successive "release" of Windows 10 Microsoft can, does, and has made changes to the base OS itself and actually removed some aspects from the end user's capability to control and I have no doubt that when they're ready to do it they'll patch Windows 10 across the board to prevent end users (except those with LTSB and perhaps one other Enterprise variation) from preventing updates plain and simple.

I can see where it's taken 100% literally so I suppose I should have clarified it by saying "Well yes, you can disable updates now but that's not going to last..."

Personally I prefer to just tell people "No..." for most Windows 10 questions because if it works now, it more than likely won't work later so, why set someone up to get frustrated and pissed in the future? :p
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Fair enough then. I tend to be a control freak on my own personal OS'es (I'm an IT professional). Auto updates are one of the first things I disable (followed by a lot of other OS changes) when I do my initial installs on my home PC.

I do appreciate though that in response to the OP - it's either significantly more difficult to disable auto updates on the home versions or impossible.
I haven't tested that myself (as it's not relevant to me), but my attitude's normally where there's a will, there's usually a method.
How much screwing with the OS internals you might need to do to achieve that ... I'm not sure.
The general consensus and standard line provided by MS support is updates cannot be disabled on the Home edition, which I think is pretty poor in terms of customer focus and attitude (although I fully understand for a lot of people out there auto updates are a really good thing and I appreciate Microsoft's intentions re: security etc).

So the only sure fire way I know of achieving what Etherton is asking for, would be to change the OS edition, which might be a considerable burden.
My gut tells me though that disabling the Update service and modifying the service permissions within the registry to prevent the system from changing it would be a good first step and then I'd look into what (if any) local group policy settings the Home Edition offers - which is zero by default, but this article here gets into downloading and enabling local group policy for Home editions (I have not tested this):

https://www.itechtics.com/enable-gpedit-windows-10-home/

...worst case, I'd look at modification of the OS files that Group Policy relies on to function, but that would be a last resort and you'd need to verify it didn't have other negative implications.

...it's gotta be doable though if you're motivated...
 
ManofGod said:
Why do people make is so complicated when it is the same as it has always been. Disable the BITS and Windows Update services, reboot, done.
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Thanks sir.
I just did that on a coworker's laptop (some of us simply are not allowed to interrupt our work) - made two BAT files with "net stop ...." and "net start....", but only referenced the Windows Update service. Not the BITS service. Is this enough to prevent the automatic reboot? Or do I have to stop both services?
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. This was the last guide I followed and it didn't work. Lasted about a week. I am not opposed to reinstalling a different version of Windows 10 - would prefer to stay with 10 if possible. Wouldn't mind a dual boot into Win 7 for work though if that is also possible. That actually might be the most stable.

There is no Local Group Policy Editor that I can find in my version of Win10. Albeit, I am not very familiar with these things.

ManofGod said:
Why do people make is so complicated when it is the same as it has always been. Disable the BITS and Windows Update services, reboot, done.
Click to expand...

Not sure how to do this. Instructions or a link somewhere? Much appreciated!
 
Etherton said:
Thanks for the replies everyone. This was the last guide I followed and it didn't work. Lasted about a week. I am not opposed to reinstalling a different version of Windows 10 - would prefer to stay with 10 if possible. Wouldn't mind a dual boot into Win 7 for work though if that is also possible. That actually might be the most stable.

There is no Local Group Policy Editor that I can find in my version of Win10. Albeit, I am not very familiar with these things.



Not sure how to do this. Instructions or a link somewhere? Much appreciated!
Click to expand...
try literally typing gpedit.msc into the run window
 
Go to beat up that moron who built the IE dependent application. After you finish that, install a linux virtual machine and you can choose to run a specific IE version through Wine. ;)
 
They removed group policy from Home editions. With Pro you can disable the restart notifications and disable auto-restart when a user is logged on. They have corresponding registry strings, but I haven't tested if they're ignored on Home. Here's the most useful registry entries and what they do from the group policy:

Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
;disable auto-restart.
"NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers"=dword:00000001
;wake machine from sleep to install updates, set this value to 0 to disable.
"AUPowerManagement"=dword:00000000
;automatic download and schedule options. To configure auto-restart behavior, set this value to 4.
"AUOptions"=dword:00000004

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
;disable auto-restart notification.
"SetAutoRestartNotificationDisable"=dword:00000001

;disable updating device drivers.
"ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate"=dword:00000001

;defer weekly updates up to 30 days.
"DeferQualityUpdates"=dword:00000001
"DeferQualityUpdatesPeriodInDays"=dword:0000001e

;branch readiness for major feature updates: Business =dword:00000020 (32 dec), Current branch =dword:00000010 (16 dec).
"BranchReadinessLevel"=dword:00000020

;defer major feature updates up to 365 days.
"DeferFeatureUpdates"=dword:00000001
"DeferFeatureUpdatesPeriodInDays"=dword:0000001e
 
Last edited:
B00nie said:
Go to beat up that moron who built the IE dependent application. After you finish that, install a linux virtual machine and you can choose to run a specific IE version through Wine. ;)
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We're finally leaving IE only apps because of WCAS guidelines, the gubment is doing a decent job with those.

But some of the software is desktop and the vendor is not planning on porting those to Leanux.
 
michalrz said:
We're finally leaving IE only apps because of WCAS guidelines, the gubment is doing a decent job with those.

But some of the software is desktop and the vendor is not planning on porting those to Leanux.
Click to expand...

If you use VMWare unity/ VBox seamless mode the virtual IE looks just like a normal IE on your windows desktop. You can continue use your windows normally even though you run IE through the virtual machine.

Coincidentally that's also probably the only safe way to use IE in general lol.
 
Tiberian said:
Realize this one basic fact of Windows 10 in any edition or version: it's a rolling release OS by design which means it will constantly be looking for updates just like a modern Linux distro does.
Click to expand...

Totally agreed in relation to Windows and rolling releases - However not all Linux distributions are rolling releases, in fact most of the popular distributions are by no means rolling releases.
 
Etherton said:
Device: Huawei Matebook E - Windows 10 Home, build 1607. OS Build 14393.0

Can it be done? I've used several different "guides" and all have ended in auto-updates. This has became ridiculous as I am reformatting the device once a week. Yep, once a week or so because I am stuck using IE and can not disable it from updating. When it updates it breaks a website I use for work - due to MS Silverlight and high interactivity framework siebel bs. I've tried everything over the years to fix this and it can't be done.

TLDR; can Win 10 updates be disabled?
Click to expand...
There are two ways. 1 is to disable the Windows Update service, but that also breaks Windows store, but it does totally prevent updates. 2) is to use the Pro version and set GPO items to just delay the installation of a version for up to 9 months (or use the registry items listed above on Home), but that doesn't really stop it.
 
Really great advice to tell people to disable the updates which means also the security updates will fail to load.
 
B00nie said:
Really great advice to tell people to disable the updates which means also the security updates will fail to load.
Click to expand...

Basically what I'd like to do is schedule turning them back on on Friday afternoons/weekends.
 
B00nie said:
If you use VMWare unity/ VBox seamless mode the virtual IE looks just like a normal IE on your windows desktop. You can continue use your windows normally even though you run IE through the virtual machine.

Coincidentally that's also probably the only safe way to use IE in general lol.
Click to expand...

Can this also be done with other software? And would I need a legit Windows license for the VM part anyway?
 
B00nie said:
Really great advice to tell people to disable the updates which means also the security updates will fail to load.
Click to expand...

There is nothing wrong with that advice, just because you want to find a point of contention and bashing with it. Let me guess, you are now going to go on about how general users should not be advised of that, or one of the others, all the time forgetting that anyone on these forums are NOT general users.
 
If I understand the situation correctly, a base installation of Windows 10 is fine, meaning Internet Explorer is usable for whatever work items you have, Once the auto-updates come into play it updates Internet Explorer to a version that no longer functions correctly with your work stuff? If thats the case, you can just disable the auto-update feature for IE from within IE. Just load up IE, hit the "Settings" cog/widget thing on the upper right hand side, and click "About Internet Explorer". Uncheck the box...

upload_2017-9-26_11-54-19.png
 
H2R2P2 said:
If I understand the situation correctly, a base installation of Windows 10 is fine, meaning Internet Explorer is usable for whatever work items you have, Once the auto-updates come into play it updates Internet Explorer to a version that no longer functions correctly with your work stuff? If thats the case, you can just disable the auto-update feature for IE from within IE. Just load up IE, hit the "Settings" cog/widget thing on the upper right hand side, and click "About Internet Explorer". Uncheck the box...

View attachment 37713
Click to expand...

I am not sure if that would help in this case, since IE 11 is the last version of IE. However, I could be wrong, not about IE 11 being the last versino but of you suggestion, I mean.
 
ManofGod said:
There is nothing wrong with that advice, just because you want to find a point of contention and bashing with it. Let me guess, you are now going to go on about how general users should not be advised of that, or one of the others, all the time forgetting that anyone on these forums are NOT general users.
Click to expand...

By disabling your security updates you become vulnerable to every unpatched attack there is. And believe me, there are many for Windows. It has nothing to do with being general user or not, the attack doesn't check who is using the unpatched machine.
 
ManofGod said:
There is nothing wrong with that advice, just because you want to find a point of contention and bashing with it. Let me guess, you are now going to go on about how general users should not be advised of that, or one of the others, all the time forgetting that anyone on these forums are NOT general users.
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Careful, your obvious bias is showing (what you claim in regards to myself all the time - Even though I use a plethora of operating systems daily).
 
BulletDust said:
Careful, your obvious bias is showing (what you claim in regards to myself all the time - Even though I use a plethora of operating systems daily).
Click to expand...

What bias? I am stating things straight up but then again, Windows is preferable to Linux in a Daily Desktop OS, especially in a professional environment.
 
ManofGod said:
What bias? I am stating things straight up but then again, Windows is preferable to Linux in a Daily Desktop OS, especially in a professional environment.
Click to expand...

What bias! And then you go on to claim that Windows is just the better desktop OS, despite the fact that many use it daily without issue!

Professional = Adobe. If you need Adobe products, yes, use Windows. Apart from that this whole comment isn't in any way stating things straight up.
 
BulletDust said:
And then you go on to claim that Windows is just the better desktop OS, despite the fact that many use it daily without issue!
Click to expand...

Uhhmmm... read that sentence again a few times yourself, because of how you chose to word it you just seceded to his point of view and completely agreed with him that yes, Windows is the better desktop OS. :D

And Professional = user gets paid to use the machine, regardless of the OS, for a given purpose. I don't consider any software products as "professional," that's just a silly point of contention that shouldn't even be a point of contention at all.
 
Tiberian said:
Uhhmmm... read that sentence again a few times yourself, because of how you chose to word it you just seceded to his point of view and completely agreed with him that yes, Windows is the better desktop OS. :D

And Professional = user gets paid to use the machine, regardless of the OS, for a given purpose. I don't consider any software products as "professional," that's just a silly point of contention that shouldn't even be a point of contention at all.
Click to expand...

I don't really care to edit the comment. The user in question knows what I mean and if he thinks he's going to call me biased every chance he gets when his own bias is shameless, he's got another thing coming.

Personally, I think 'professional' is someone that can use any OS. For instance, a tech than knows only Windows is not a professional in my opinion - That's comparable to a mechanic that can only work on one make of vehicle and is clueless when it comes to every other make/model. However, this is not what the user in question is referring to, the user in question is referring to so called 'professional' software support.
 
Everybody is biased, I am, you are, that poster is, everybody is biased so, don't take it personally - it's a side effect of being Human. :D

As for "professional" meaning someone that can adapt and learn to do new things, the word you're looking for is "genius" because a person with a genius level intelligence (and I don't mean this has anything to do with an I.Q. test because actual intelligence cannot be measured accurately in any respects) has an above average - sometimes way way beyond that - natural ability to readily adapt to new situations, learn new things, and become familiar with such things and new situations almost "as if they were born to do it..."

Luckily I am one of those people, I would presume you are as well, many folks around [H]ere (see what I did there?) probably are as well so that's a good thing.

Alas, I'm going to put some of that well-beyond average intelligence to use right now with this post by saying "I'm done." because I already know where this thread is going yet once more because there's a pattern of behavior at work with some of you folk. :D

Have fun.
 
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ManofGod said:
What bias? I am stating things straight up but then again, Windows is preferable to Linux in a Daily Desktop OS, especially in a professional environment.
Click to expand...

I disagree completely Windows is not in anyway preferable to Linux in a professional environment. That is the craziest thing I have heard today... seriously gaming, that is it... that is the extent of the windows wins.

Seriously though I think the OP knows what he has to do if he wants to disable his updates. It as always is a shame MS doesn't fix their update situation, between things breaking, not being able to opt out of specific updates, and in general updates taking forever.... its not shocking that so many windows users are not up to date on major security issues. (not talking about the op, I know he'll ensure he gets the major shit patched... just in general the fact that googling "turn off windows 10 updates" returns almost a million hits is damn sad) I know any operating system can be gotten... but damn MS really needs to get better.
 
Tiberian said:
Everybody is biased, I am, you are, that poster is, everybody is biased so, don't take it personally - it's a side effect of being Human. :D

As for "professional" meaning someone that can adapt and learn to do new things, the word you're looking for is "genius" because a person with a genius level intelligence (and I don't mean this has anything to do with an I.Q. test because actual intelligence cannot be measured accurately in any respects) has an above average - sometimes way way beyond that - natural ability to readily adapt to new situations, learn new things, and become familiar with such things and new situations almost "as if they were born to do it..."

Luckily I am one of those people, I would presume you are as well, many folks around [H]ere (see what I did there?) probably are as well so that's a good thing.

Alas, I'm going to put some of that well-beyond average intelligence to use right now with this post by saying "I'm done." because I already know where this thread is going yet once more because there's a pattern of behavior at work with some of you folk. :D

Have fun.
Click to expand...

I have a preference based around long term exposure to literally every OS out there. If that can be classed as bias, it doesn't change the fact that I am just one of many that finds the alternatives better than Windows for daily use, therefore Windows is not the ideal OS for everyone in every situation.

As far as being a professional in your field is concerned, if you can't adapt to new situations as part of your profession, than perhaps you're not cut out for your profession? I see it more about being capable and flexible as opposed to being a genius. Despite what MS would like people to believe, PC does not = Windows, and if you can't work on PC's as opposed to just WIndows than you're effectively lazy or just not cut out for the job you're doing.

When I see an opportunity as part of my business as a tech, I push myself to learn and adapt accordingly in order to remain competitive.
 
Tiberian said:
Everybody is biased, I am, you are, that poster is, everybody is biased so, don't take it personally - it's a side effect of being Human. :D

As for "professional" meaning someone that can adapt and learn to do new things, the word you're looking for is "genius" because a person with a genius level intelligence (and I don't mean this has anything to do with an I.Q. test because actual intelligence cannot be measured accurately in any respects) has an above average - sometimes way way beyond that - natural ability to readily adapt to new situations, learn new things, and become familiar with such things and new situations almost "as if they were born to do it..."

Luckily I am one of those people, I would presume you are as well, many folks around [H]ere (see what I did there?) probably are as well so that's a good thing.

Alas, I'm going to put some of that well-beyond average intelligence to use right now with this post by saying "I'm done." because I already know where this thread is going yet once more because there's a pattern of behavior at work with some of you folk. :D

Have fun.
Click to expand...

Exactly, computers and Desktop OSes are one of the few things I can even be considered a "genius" on. (Although, I would prefer to say blessed since it is the Lord Jesus Christ who helps me everyday and directly guides me more than anything else.) A long time ago, I already said I love it all when it comes to computers....... :)
 
ManofGod said:
Exactly, computers and Desktop OSes are one of the few things I can even be considered a "genius" on. (Although, I would prefer to say blessed since it is the Lord Jesus Christ who helps me everyday and directly guides me more than anything else.) A long time ago, I already said I love it all when it comes to computers....... :)
Click to expand...

Does the lord Jesus Christ also tell you to be a condecending troll towards anyone that has an opinion that doesn't fall in line with your own flawed opinion, even though they have legitimate and perfectly reasonable points of view backed by oodles of experience?
 
BulletDust said:
Does the lord Jesus Christ also tell you to be a condecending troll towards anyone that has an opinion that doesn't fall in line with your own flawed opinion, even though they have legitimate and perfectly reasonable points of view backed by oodles of experience?
Click to expand...

LOL! *Shakes head and laughs* Nope, I just give credit where credit is due. (And am not ashamed to do so publicly.) That said, my suggestion to the OP for what he wanted to accomplish is completely legit, nothing more and nothing less. However, if unchecking the box, as H2R2P2 suggested works, that is much better. :)
 
Offtopic of the century probably. I'm not a particularly religious person, however I went to church two weeks ago when my best friend came over from England. We just went out for church, military show and then pizza.
Every now and then I actually do thank heavens that nothing wrong happened at work. My life is quite hard, but sometimes I get pleasantly surprised by random events that literally save my ass.
 
michalrz said:
Offtopic of the century probably. I'm not a particularly religious person, however I went to church two weeks ago when my best friend came over from England. We just went out for church, military show and then pizza.
Every now and then I actually do thank heavens that nothing wrong happened at work. My life is quite hard, but sometimes I get pleasantly surprised by random events that literally save my ass.
Click to expand...

My point was not off topic really so much as just giving credit to my ability where the credit belongs. (Same as you giving credit to whomever supports you daily.) That is why I am mostly really good at what I do, if I do not overthink it, that is. :) That is why I commented originally why folks where making something so complex that was always so straight forward and simple, disabling the services, at least temporarily. The best suggestion was from H2R2P2, if that prevents IE updates from installing.
 
ManofGod said:
My point was not off topic really so much as just giving credit to my ability where the credit belongs. (Same as you giving credit to whomever supports you daily.) That is why I am mostly really good at what I do, if I do not overthink it, that is. :) That is why I commented originally why folks where making something so complex that was always so straight forward and simple, disabling the services, at least temporarily. The best suggestion was from H2R2P2, if that prevents IE updates from installing.
Click to expand...

I meant my own comment more tbh.
Could you also let us know if BITS should be disabled as well?

So far disabling WUPdate worked for my clients who can't afford interrputions, they only enable them when they're done working.

I was raised Roman Catholic, so I credit God. At the same time, I don't really expect him to help me out as much as he sometimes seems to be doing.
 
michalrz said:
I meant my own comment more tbh.
Could you also let us know if BITS should be disabled as well?

So far disabling WUPdate worked for my clients who can't afford interrputions, they only enable them when they're done working.

I was raised Roman Catholic, so I credit God. At the same time, I don't really expect him to help me out as much as he sometimes seems to be doing.
Click to expand...

I usually disable both BITS and Updates when I need too. However, for me, it is usually just because I am trying to clear out the software distribution folder.
 
I give credit to my family and the schooling system for my abilities. No known deity had play.
 
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