Microsoft offers weekly and sometimes daily updates for their operating systems which are still in their support lifecycle. These updates include security improvements, bug fixes, software and hardware updates and much more. Although it’s recommended that you keep your system up to date to avoid things like malware using bugs in your system to infect it some people want to decide for themselves when they want to update their computer.

In this tutorial, we will show you how you can turn off / deactivate automatic updates in Windows 10. Once you’ve completed the tutorial Windows will no longer update without your permission and will give you a notice once updates are ready to be downloaded.

Method 1 can only be used on Windows 10 systems running Windows 10 Pro and above. This method will not work in Windows 10 Home. Microsoft has sadly prevented disabling automatic updates in the Home edition of Windows 10.

Method 1: Using Group Policy Editor

This might be the easiest method however if you are running Windows 10 Home Edition then this method is not suited for you since your version does not include Group Policy Editor.

1. Press the Windows and R key at the same time, a run window will appear.

2. Once the Run window is shown type gpedit.msc in it and then click on OK.

3. Wait for Group Policy Editor to appear, once it´s shown unfold Administrative Templates under Computer Administration

4. Once you´ve unfolded Administrative Templates continue to unfold Windows Components

5. Now scroll down till you find Windows Update and click on it. 

6. Find the option labeled “Configure Automatic Updates” and double-click on it.

7. Change Not Configured to Enabled

8. Then under “Configure Automatic Updating” choose “2- Notify for Download and Notify for Install” 

9. Once you’ve done that click on Apply and then on OK.

Windows will now no longer automatically install Windows Updates instead Windows will now ask you if and when you want to download the updates.