Windows 10: How can I prevent automatic updates?

Thanks, Bree. This is all good news.

To think I once did this so simply from the control panel on 8.1! Well, I guess we must keep up with the times. I don't know where it's all going though. It does trouble me that Microsoft obviously wants downloads to be done automatically. I have a long time problem with my internet connection where it won't connect. The way I have always dealt with this is by doing a quick restart, which kicked the modem back into working order. With the automatic updates, the quick restart turns into a 30 to 45 minute ordeal.

I was disappointed with the new calculator. No cube root. No y root of x. No reciprocal. etc... I did find the download for the old Windows 7 calculator, however, and have it on this computer.

 

I can't do crazy math but a search does reveal the 10 calc abilities. I like the 10 calc because you can resize it. Big numbers for old folks.*Smile
Example (x^y)

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/use-ne...-10-calculator

 

@stonefly

The native Windows 10 Calculator is a little more than a one trick pony - It has various additional versions accessed by the Burger icon as highlighted ...

 

Yes I see they moved reciprocal 1/x to the standard view. I often use cube root and sometimes y root of x. They are missing from the 10 calc.

 

Well I have Ethernet connection marked as metered, and they're still doin' it. MAKE 'EM STOP! MAKE 'EM STOP!

 

I think the approach going through "services.msc" is the ticket. I have two of these cheapo computers, well $149 anyway, more expensive than a couple eggs over easy. On the first, I did both. I set Ethernet to metered, and by going through services.msc in the run box, I double clicked Windows Update, clicking "disabled" for startup type: in the properties box.

Both computers have Ethernet set as a metered connection, but only the first has "disabled" set for startup type. I've been using it longer, and Microsoft has yet to kidnap it. The second computer just got kidnapped for a half hour of my time. Apparently, Microsoft does not consider my Verizon connection as Ethernet.

I need two computers, now that I've built my trucking business communications on computers, I need to have one working at all times or it could cost me a load, or loads, or worse. I always keep a backup laptop in the truck. Microsoft isn't reliable enough for my liking. Having two of them is the way I've been dealing with the problem.

 

I have all connections marked as metered, and they can't do anything without my permission.

I confirm that the addition of Group Policy Editor does not work in my Home Edition, but metered connections do.

 

I have a computer I use Kodi on 24/7. I don't want Windows update bugging things up. I set the ethernet as Metered and it seemed to work for a while. Then strange things went on with the computer as the HD light kept blinking and internet activity was still going on, but it was going very slowly, in the Kbit range. I also had used O&O ShutUp10 to disable all the reporting from Win 10.

But in the end the thing that really worked was to set the permission of \Windows\SoftwareDistribution directory to deny all access from everyone. Now there's no Windows updates and no crazy HD access either. I may make a script to automate the permissions to enable/disable updates.

I'm hoping the registry method works for the Verizon VZ Access Manager. I have a Windows 10 customer that uses a Verizon USB modem and it's just leaching bandwidth and causing very slow internet in the browser.

 

Download a real calculator emulator - RPN is the business.

HP 41cx Emulator : Educalc.net

 

My tactic for preventing auto updates is:

1. Open services.msc (you can find it by searching in the Start menu, or by holding the Windows key then tapping R)
2. Go to Windows Update service, right click, go to Properties, set to disabled, click Apply then OK. Don't force stop the service, else you might corrupt WU or something else while it's running.
3. Reboot, to be sure it's really not running

This works on all Windows 10 editions, including Home

When you want to update again, just set the service status back to either Manual or Automatic.

 

There is no need to disable Windows Update. Disabling autoupdate suffices, and then you don't have to do the following:

And I don't have to manually check for updates because I have scheduled VBScript to do it automatically.

 

Do you mean this Start, Stop, and Disable Services in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Performance Maintenance Tutorials?

 

No, I was thinking more of a script to enable or disable permissions to the \Windows\SoftwareDistribution directory.

 

I've used the registry to stop automatic updates for years, but this appears to no longer work in Windows 10 (Pro). My computer is on an Enterprise network which uses WU Servers, but I have changed the inherited permissions of the registry key for Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate that sets all users except my administrator account to Read. However, frequently I get the restart timer screen with a message that updates are installed and the system needs to be restarted. I can turn off this scheduler but in minutes to hours it pops back up turned on, and if I don't address it within the allotted time my computer WILL reboot and complete installing, quite often, unwanted updates.

How is it possible that a locked registry key is changed when SYSTEM is set to Read and updates are downloaded and installed, or Restart Scheduler pops back on after I manually turn it off (Group and Registry)?

Thanks for any help you can offer as this is driving me nuts.
Cole

 

Read post #5 in this thread. It is the only way I found to stop Windows Updates.

How to prevent downloading updates?