Windows 10: How can I prevent automatic updates?

Only WiFi has a 'metered connection' switch visible in Settings, but all types of connections can be set as metered if you edit the registry. Presumably your Verizon USB modem appears to Windows as if it's an Ethernet connection. If so then the instructions here will work. There are two .reg files you can download that will switch 'metered' on or off for Ethernet.
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/...dows-10-a.html

 

Ah yes, 14393.

 

I made it to the box titled "select user or group". There is a place to enter text (Enter the object name to select) and it has a blinking cursor. Do I type "Administrator"?

 

Can't we use gpedit.msc and set windows update to never check or update? That is in the tutorial under W. If so, can we then go to settings whenever we want and force an update even if this option is configured?

 

I believe that it was removed in Win 10 Home.

 

If you are at 'Step 4. Change the owner of the DefaultMediaCost registry key...' then you want to set it for the Administrators group, not the Administrator account (note the 's' on the end on the name). Type Adminstrators then click the 'Check Names' button.

 

OK, I have Pro. However, do a Google search and you can see how to add Group Policy Editor to Windows 10 Home version.

 

Okay I did that. It says it cannot be found.

 

You can but it won't work.

 

Somehow I got it to go to Administrators and I allowed Administrators full control. Now I can't get it to go back to TrustedInstaller. I don't know what I did.

 

Can you confirm you are stuck at 'Step 4...' If so, you should be seeing this...




When the 'Check names' button comes back saying it can't be found it may be down to a spelling mistake. First check that 'Select the object type:' includes 'Group' - if not, click the 'Object types...' button and tick Groups. 'From this location:' should be the name of your PC. Try typing administrators again.

If it still cannot be found, click the 'Advanced...' button. Again, make sure Groups is included in the object types then click the Find Now button. You should get a list of groups from which you can choose Administrators.

 

Okay I got it changed back. I had to copy and paste from your post in order for it to work. It worked. Onward.

 

I did it. I got Ethernet marked as metered. Thanks, Bree.

 

I have the Set_Ethernet_as_non-metered_connection.reg on desktop. If I want to pick a day and time to download updates, then I finish steps 11-13. Correct?

 

Glad we got there in the end. *Smile

No, it even easier than that. I leave my WiFi as metered permanently. At a time of my choosing I got to Settings > Update and Security and 'check for updates'. This works as normal up to the point it would start the download (in fact, the automatic check for updates still works on a metered connection, you may get a notification saying 'updates are available but we can't download them'). It then says 'we won't download while you are on a metered connection...' but provides a 'Download' button to download anyway. Just click 'Download' and the updates will download and install as normal. Actually, I've just had to this as a new cumulative update has just been released.

Note that Defender won't automatically update its definitions on a metered connection. You should regularly open Defender and update manually from its own 'Update' tab (you'll get a notification for this too if you leave it too long).