You can disable Windows updates, but it creates real security gaps you need to understand first

Windows updates can be turned off through Settings, Group Policy, or by stopping the Windows Update service directly. The fastest method is to open Settings, go to Update & Security, and change your connection to metered. For more permanent control, you can disable the Windows Update service in Services.msc or use Group Policy Editor if you have Windows Pro or Enterprise. However, turning off updates entirely means you stop receiving patches for viruses, malware, and security flaws — sometimes critical ones that hackers actively exploit within days of discovery.

Most people want to disable updates because they interrupt work, restart without warning, or slow down their machine. Those are real problems. But there is a difference between controlling when updates happen and stopping them altogether. The sections below show you how to do both, and what each choice actually costs you.

Key Takeaways

  • Turning off Windows updates removes your protection against newly discovered security flaws that criminals actively target within weeks of release.
  • Metered connection settings let you pause updates for days or weeks without fully disabling them, which is safer than turning them off permanently.
  • Group Policy Editor (available in Windows Pro and Enterprise only) gives you the most control over update timing and restart behavior.
  • If you disable updates, you are responsible for manually checking for and installing critical security patches yourself.
  • The Windows Update service can be stopped temporarily, but Microsoft re-enables it automatically with major updates.

Using metered connection to delay updates without disabling them

The safest way to reduce update interruptions is to mark your internet connection as metered. This tells Windows to read updates in the background but hold off on installing them until you manually restart. Open Settings, select Network & Internet, then choose your connection type (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). Toggle on "Set as metered connection." Windows will still read security patches, but it will not force a restart during your work.

You can then install updates on your own schedule — late at night, over a weekend, or whenever you have time. Go back to Settings, Update & Security, and click "Check for updates" to see what is waiting. Click "Install now" when you are ready. This approach keeps you protected against active threats while giving you control over timing. The tradeoff is that you have to remember to install them yourself; Windows will not nag you as aggressively.

Metered connection works on Windows 10 and Windows 11 for both Home and Pro editions. It is the option most security researchers recommend if you want breathing room from updates without creating a security hole.

Disabling updates through Group Policy Editor

If you have Windows Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you can use Group Policy Editor to control updates more precisely. Press Windows key + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update. Look for the policy called "Configure Automatic Updates" and double-click it.

You have four options here. "2 – Notify for read and auto install" will read updates and notify you before installing them. "3 – Auto read and notify for install" downloads automatically but waits for your permission to restart. "4 – Auto read and schedule the install" lets you pick a specific day and time for installation. "5 – Allow local admin to choose setting" lets each user on the machine decide. Choose the option that fits your workflow, then click OK.

Group Policy changes take effect when ready, but Windows may override them during major version updates. If updates suddenly resume after you thought you had disabled them, check Group Policy again — it may have been reset. This tool is not available in Windows Home edition; Home users are limited to metered connections or the service-disabling methods below.

Stopping the Windows Update service temporarily

You can pause updates by disabling the Windows Update service itself. Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. Scroll down to "Windows Update," right-click it, and select Properties. Change the Startup type dropdown to "Disabled." Click explore, then OK. If the service is currently running, click the "Stop" button first.

This will prevent Windows from checking for or installing updates until you re-enable the service. To turn updates back on later, return to services.msc, find Windows Update again, change Startup type back to "Automatic," and click Start. You can also set it to "Automatic (Delayed Start)" if you want updates to run but not when ready after boot.

Be aware that Microsoft often re-enables this service automatically during major Windows updates or feature releases. If you have disabled it and then your machine suddenly updates anyway, the service was likely turned back on by a previous update. You will need to disable it again. This is a temporary solution, not a permanent one.

Turning off updates through Settings (Windows 10 and 11)

The simplest method for most users is to use the Settings app. Open Settings, go to Update & Security (Windows 10) or System > About (Windows 11), and look for "Advanced options" or "Update options." In Windows 11, click "Pause updates" — you can pause for up to 35 days. In Windows 10, you can set a "Active hours" window during which Windows will not restart, giving you some control over timing.

These settings are less powerful than Group Policy or disabling the service, because Windows will resume updates automatically after the pause period ends. They are best used when you need a temporary break — during a project important date, before a presentation, or while troubleshooting a problem caused by a recent update. For longer-term control, use metered connection or Group Policy instead.

What actually happens when you disable updates

When you turn off Windows updates, you stop receiving patches for security flaws discovered after that point. Microsoft releases security updates almost every second Tuesday of the month, plus emergency patches when critical vulnerabilities are found. Hackers often have working exploits for these flaws within days or weeks. If your machine is connected to the internet and you have updates disabled, you become a target.

The risk is not theoretical. Ransomware, banking trojans, and worms have all spread rapidly through networks of machines with disabled updates. If you disable updates, you are betting that no one will find a flaw in your version of Windows before you turn them back on. That bet gets worse the longer you wait. A machine with updates off for six months is far more vulnerable than one with updates off for two weeks.

You are also responsible for knowing when critical patches are released and installing them manually. Microsoft does not send emails or notifications to machines with updates disabled. You have to check the Windows Update page yourself or monitor security news. Most people do not do this, which is why disabling updates is dangerous.

Alternatives if updates are causing specific problems

If a particular update is breaking your software or hardware, do not disable all updates — isolate the problem update instead. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Update history and look for the update that caused the issue. Note its KB number (for example, KB5034765). Then go to Settings > Update & Security > Advanced options > Optional updates and uncheck that specific update. Windows will skip it in future update cycles.

If an update broke something critical, you can also roll back to the previous version of Windows. In Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Recovery and click "Go back." You have 10 days after an update to roll back. This keeps you on a recent, patched version of Windows while giving you time to test whether the new version works with your software.

If your machine is restarting unexpectedly, the problem is usually not the updates themselves but your Active Hours setting. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Active hours and set a window that covers your entire workday. Windows will not restart during those hours. This solves the interruption problem without creating a security gap.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling Windows Update make my computer faster?

Temporarily, yes — updates consume disk space and processing power during installation. But the speed gain is usually small and disappears once the update finishes. If your machine feels slow after an update, the real problem is often a driver conflict or a background process, not the update itself. Disabling updates to gain speed is not worth the security risk.

Can I disable updates on Windows Home edition?

You cannot use Group Policy on Home edition, but you can disable the Windows Update service through services.msc or use metered connection. Metered connection is the safer choice because Microsoft may re-enable the service automatically. Home edition users have less granular control than Pro users, which is one reason some people upgrade.

What if I disabled updates and now my computer has a virus?

Turn updates back on when ready and run a full scan with Windows Defender or a third-party antivirus tool. Go to services.msc, re-enable Windows Update, and let it install all pending patches. Then change your passwords for email, banking, and other sensitive accounts from a different device, because malware may have captured them.

Do I need to disable updates if I use a VPN or firewall?

No. A VPN and firewall protect your connection, but they do not protect you from flaws in Windows itself. A firewall stops outside traffic from reaching your machine, but malware that exploits a Windows flaw can still run once it gets in. You need both network protection and system updates.

Will Windows force updates back on if I disable them?

Yes, sometimes. Major version updates and feature releases often re-enable the Windows Update service automatically. If you have disabled updates and suddenly find them running again, check services.msc — the service was likely turned back on. You will need to disable it again if you want to maintain that setting.