Windows Update can be paused, but not permanently disabled without trade-offs

You can stop Windows Update from running automatically on Windows 10 and Windows 11, but the method depends on which version you have and how long you want it paused. Microsoft does not offer a permanent "off" switch for most users — the update service will restart on its own after a set period. If you disable updates entirely, you lose security patches that protect against viruses, malware, and data theft. The real choice is not whether to update, but when and how often.

The fastest way to pause updates is through Settings. On Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Windows Update, then click "Pause for 1 week" or "Advanced options" to extend the pause to up to 35 days. On Windows 10, the pause button is in the same location but labeled differently depending on your build. After the pause expires, updates resume automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • You can pause Windows Update for up to 35 days through Settings, but it will resume automatically after that period ends.
  • Disabling the Windows Update service in Services.msc will stop updates temporarily, but Windows will re-enable it after major updates or restarts.
  • Turning off automatic updates means you must manually check for and install security patches, which most people forget to do.
  • Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions let you delay updates longer than Home edition, but Home users cannot disable updates permanently.
  • Disabling updates leaves your computer vulnerable to known security flaws that hackers actively exploit.

Pausing updates through Settings (the easiest method)

Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I. Navigate to System > Windows Update. You will see a blue button that says "Pause for 1 week" (Windows 11) or "Pause updates" (Windows 10). Click it. The pause extends automatically each week you click it again, up to a maximum of 35 days on Windows 11 and 35 days on Windows 10 version 22H2 or later. Older Windows 10 builds may only allow 7 to 35 days depending on your version.

When the pause period ends, Windows will notify you that updates are resuming. You can pause again before that happens, or let the updates install. This method is reversible — you can unpause at any time by clicking "Resume updates" in the same Settings window. Pausing does not delete pending updates; it only delays their installation.

Disabling the Windows Update service (temporary, requires restart)

If you want more control than the Settings pause offers, you can disable the Windows Update service directly. Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. A window will open showing all running services. Scroll down to find "Windows Update" in the list. Right-click it and select Properties.

In the Properties window, find the "Startup type" dropdown and change it from "Automatic" to "Disabled". Click explore, then OK. You can now close the Services window. Windows Update will not run until you change this setting back to Automatic or Manual. However, Windows will often re-enable this service after a major system update or restart, so this is not a permanent solution.

To check if the service has been re-enabled, return to services.msc and look for Windows Update again. If the Startup type has changed back to Automatic, Windows has overridden your setting. You will need to disable it again.

What happens if you disable updates completely

Disabling Windows Update stops your computer from receiving security patches. These patches fix vulnerabilities — holes in Windows that hackers use to install ransomware, steal passwords, or take control of your machine. Microsoft releases security patches every second Tuesday of the month, called Patch Tuesday. If you do not install them, your computer becomes an easier target.

Older versions of Windows — Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 — no longer receive any patches at all because Microsoft ended support for them. If you are running one of these versions, disabling updates does not change your risk; you are already unpatched. Windows 10 receives patches until October 2025. Windows 11 will receive patches until at least October 2031.

Beyond security, disabling updates also means you miss bug fixes that improve stability and performance. If a Windows Update causes problems on your machine, you can uninstall it through Settings > System > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates. This is safer than disabling updates entirely.

Using Group Policy to delay updates (Windows Pro and Enterprise only)

If you have Windows 10 Pro, Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education edition, you have access to Group Policy, a tool that lets you delay updates more precisely than the Settings pause. Press Windows key + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update.

Look for "Defer Feature Updates" and "Defer Quality Updates". You can set these to delay feature updates (major releases) by up to 365 days and quality updates (security patches) by up to 30 days. This gives you more control than Home edition, but you still cannot disable updates permanently. After the delay period, updates install automatically.

Windows Home edition does not have Group Policy. If you are on Home, your only options are the Settings pause or disabling the service temporarily.

Why you should not disable updates long-term

The reason Microsoft makes it difficult to disable updates is that most people who turn them off forget to manually install patches later. A computer without updates is a computer that will eventually be compromised. Ransomware like WannaCry and NotPetya spread specifically because they exploited known vulnerabilities in unpatched Windows systems.

If you disable updates because a recent update broke something, the better approach is to uninstall that specific update and let Windows resume. If you disable updates because they slow down your computer, the slowdown is usually temporary — updates run in the background and finish within hours. Restarting your computer after an update completes the installation faster.

If you disable updates because you want to avoid a major version upgrade (like Windows 10 to Windows 11), you can use the Group Policy delay method instead, which gives you months to prepare without leaving your system unpatched.

Scheduling updates for a specific time

If the problem is that updates restart your computer at inconvenient times, you do not need to disable them — you can schedule them instead. On Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Windows Update > Advanced options > Active hours. Set the hours when you typically use your computer. Windows will not restart for updates during these hours.

You can also set a specific restart time. In the same Advanced options menu, look for "Restart this device at a scheduled time" and choose a time when you are not working. Windows will install updates and restart at that time instead of interrupting you randomly.

On Windows 10, the Active hours setting is in Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Change active hours. The process is the same: set your working hours, and Windows will schedule restarts outside that window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling Windows Update make my computer faster?

Temporarily, yes — you will not see the slowdown from updates running in the background. But you will lose security patches, which means your computer becomes vulnerable to malware that will slow it down far more. Updates also fix bugs that cause crashes and freezes. The speed gain is not worth the security loss.

Can I disable updates on Windows 11 Home?

You can pause them for up to 35 days or disable the Windows Update service temporarily, but Windows will re-enable the service after major updates or restarts. Windows 11 Home does not let you disable updates permanently. If you need permanent control, you would need to upgrade to Windows 11 Pro.

What if an update breaks my computer?

Go to Settings > System > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates. Find the update that caused the problem and uninstall it. Windows will remove that specific patch while keeping other updates in place. You can then pause updates while you research the issue, or wait for Microsoft to release a fixed version.

Do I have to restart my computer right after an update?

No. Windows will notify you that a restart is needed, but you can delay it for hours or days. However, the update does not fully take effect until you restart. If you keep delaying, Windows will eventually force a restart during your Active hours window or at a scheduled time.

Is it safe to disable updates if I use antivirus software?

No. Antivirus software protects against malware, but it cannot patch vulnerabilities in Windows itself. A hacker can exploit an unpatched Windows flaw to bypass antivirus entirely. You need both: Windows security updates and antivirus software.