Disabling Windows automatic updates

By default Windows not only checks for updates automatically, but also downloads and installs them and restarts the PC automatically. This doesn't suit systems that need to be running all the time, and the background installation process can cause problems with live ingest.

The simplest way of controlling Windows automatic updates is to use the Local Group Policy Editor. This requires Windows 10 or 11 Pro or Enterprise because the Home edition doesn't include the Local Group Policy Editor.

You can either disable automatic updates completely, or set Windows to notify you that updates are available but not download or install them automatically.

If automatic updates are disabled completely, you can still check for updates manually and install them at a convenient time using Start > Settings > Updates & Security.

To change the Windows automatic update settings:

1. Click the Start icon (Windows logo) and type group.
2. Click the Edit group policy icon.
3. The Local Group Policy Editor opens. Under the Computer Configuration section on the left, expand Administrative Templates, then Windows Components, then click Windows Update.
4. On the right-hand side, double-click Configure Automatic Updates.
5. To disable automatic updates completely, select the Disabled option. Or to be notified of new updates without them being downloaded and installed automatically, select the Enabled option and in the Configure automatic updating drop-down box choose 2 - Notify for download and auto install.
6. Click OK and close the Local Group Policy Editor.

Don't be tempted to change any of the other settings! The Configure Automatic Updates setting overrides many of them.