How to Block Automatic Updates on Windows 10

Windows 10 is being rapidly adopted as the main choice of OS on PCs and laptops by millions around the world. It’s a drastic improvement over the disastrous Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, reminiscing largely popular Windows 7 in terms of specs and functionality. However, all is not smooth with Windows 10 as is the case with any new product. Some issues are expected to surface in any new product that tamper with user experience. One of the main gripes many people have expressed ever since the launch of Windows 10 is its feature of automatic updates. Microsoft has taken the control over updates away from users, now you will have to install updates that are pushed by Microsoft.

Automatic updates are not necessarily a bad thing in itself since they keep your PCs updated and glitches free. But sometimes forced updates include some that users don’t want to have on their system, thus contribute towards curtailing the beneficial affects of updates. Microsoft’s decision to push Windows 10 update by taking away the option from users to stay on their preferred version of older Windows OS attracted stern disapproval from some quarters last month. Cynics cited that taking over user control over updating feature is tantamount to meddling in user privacy and experience.

In Windows 10 you cannot opt to forgo updates, although you can defer them for sometime. These automatic updates might make some unpalatable changes in system settings or appearance for some users. Luckily, there are ways to get around this feature. You can either use system settings in Windows 10 to defer downloading updates but can’t completely skirt around it. However, there are third-party software programs that allow you to stop updates from being automatically installed on PC Windows 10.

First let’s look at the option that is available in Windows 10.

Defer Updates on Windows 10 using Settings:

Here is how you can defer update that arrive in future, excluding security updates that will be installed irrespectively.

  • Go to Start > Settings or press Windows Button+i on the keyboard to open settings window.
  • Click on Update & Security > Windows Update and select Advanced Options.
  • Now click on Defer Updates as shown in the image below.

Defer_Updates_Windows10

Block Automatic Updates with Win Update Disabler:

Next method includes downloading and installing third-party Windows update disabling program Win Update Disabler, which you can download here. Main positive aspect of this program is its simple interface, there are no difficult options to remember or hidden buttons to find. When you open the program, a simple Windows will open as can be seen in the image below.

Windows10_Update_Disabler

As you can see above that there are four option on the main Windows, first one being Disable Windows Updates, click the check box next to it and hit Apply Now button in the bottom. You can also block Windows Security Center, Defender and Firewall features with this program as well. So it offers a convenient way of blocking unwanted program from interfering in user experience.

Stop Updates with Windows Update Blocker:

Second software package we recommend for blocking automatic Windows 10 Updates is Windows Update Blocker. It is not free, you can buy it for $2.99, so keep the price factor in mind before going with this option. You can download it here.One advantage of this program is that it is designed just for Windows 10, so using it won’t result in any unexpected problems or errors and is pretty decent at what it is supposed to do. UI is simple to understand and navigate, you can block update services, scheduled tasks and host files from the PC.

For More, Read: How to Backup Important Files on Windows 10 & How to Get Office 2016 on Windows 10

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