Lately, several Windows updates have been released. Some experts in the sector have encountered various difficulties in deactivating these updates. These until some previous versions could be easily deactivated, but now something seems to have changed. Following various analyses, it was understood that some actions must be taken to implement these updates on the PC. Let’s see how to do it in this guide.
But first, let’s try to shed some light on the update issue. From Windows 10, updates are automatically downloaded and installed. We can distinguish different types of updates:
Types of Windows updates
| Critical update | Fix released to fix bugs. It does not have a protective action |
| Definitions update | This update brings protection and optimization to some basic operating system products. |
| Driver | Software that controls the input and output of a device. |
| Feature pack | Introduction of new product features. These are initially deployed out of context and are included in updates only in the next version. |
| Security update | Fix released on some vulnerabilities. Useful to ensure greater protection. |
| Cumulative update | Hotfix package, which includes: security updates, critical updates, and updates that are bundled together for ease of distribution. This type of update usually affects only one section. |
| Security-only update | Fixes addressing security vulnerabilities and deployed using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), System Center Configuration Manager, and Microsoft Update Catalog |
When to turn off Windows 10 updates
We don’t recommend turning off Windows 10 updates. However, in some cases, it is necessary. Here are 4 cases where doing this is necessary:
- Within companies that do not use Microsoft Windows Server Update Services (WSUS ). This is in case you want to block automatic updates of some clients;
- On your home computer. If you want to prevent updates from starting automatically;
- On particularly delicate PCs. In these cases, the updates could cause inconvenience;
- On slow or old computers.
How to disable updates
The wuauserv service detects, downloads, and installs updates for Windows and other programs. If this is disabled, the Windows Update Agent (WUA ) will not work. Until recently, it was enough to deactivate the service so that updates were also stopped.
However, it seems that things no longer work in the same way today. Today, it is difficult for this update service not to rehabilitate itself. Why does this happen? The wuauserv service does not act alone but is assisted by other services and automatic Windows schedules that control its operation. This is done by restoring the functionality of WUA in case of problems. To disable Windows 10 updates, you must work on several fronts following the procedures below.
NB: The wuauserv service allows the detection, download and installation of updates for Windows and other programs. If the service is disabled, you will not be able to get updates.
Guide
- Press and hold the Win + R key combination to display the run field;
- Type “services.msc” and click OK so that you can view the Windows services window;
- Select the “Windows Update” service from the list;
- Right-click and select “Properties“;
- Go to the General Tab, and in the “Startup Type,” dropdown list, select “Disabled”;
- Go to the “Recovery” TAB and select “Take No Action” next to the items “First Failure”, “Second Failure”, and “Subsequent Failures”;
- Type “9999” in the box next to “Reset fail count after:”;
- Repeat this process with the “Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)” service.
- Restart your computer
Use the command prompt
- Type the key combination Win + S and wait for the search to activate;
- Write CMD and click on “Command Prompt”, selecting “Run as administrator”;
- Type “net stop wuauserv” and click on enter to stop the service;
- Press “sc config wuauserv start = disabled” to disable the service;
- Then type “net stop BITS” and click enter to stop the service;
- Finally, type “sc config BITS start = disabled” to disable the service;
- Now close the Command Prompt window.
