Dear AudioSEX community,

I create this thread as answer to the question from @EAR TO LEARN: How to disable Windows Automatic Updates.
On Windows 10 Pro, you can use the Local Group Policy Editor to disable automatic updates permanently.
This method don't need any third-party tools, but it works only with the Professional Edition!
That and many other reasons, why I always recommend preferring the Professional than Home version from Windows.
Please forgive me the excess length, I made it very elaborate to showing almost every step with a screenshot.

1 - Press Windows-Key and R-Key to open the Run-Box.

2 - Write gpedit.msc and press enter or click ok.


3- Navigate to Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Update and double-click the folder Windows Update.


4 - Navigate to Configure Automatic Updates and double-click it.


5 - In the upper left corner area click the Option Disabled and click the Apply Button and close the window.


Windows Automatic Updates are permanently disabled (OFF)! You can close the Local Group Policy Editor.


At this point I would like to recommend (for me very important) tool concerning privacy protection.

O&O ShutUp10 - Free anti-spy tool for Windows 10

https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10

You don't need to install it! It works just as portable application!
I use the Apply all settings Option in the Actions Menu.
For that you need to repeat it 2 times! Each time with computer reboot.
This disables Cortana, all Analytics Spy services and other Microsoft sniffer shit.
I discover this tool as a recommendation from a senior administrator from our company.

Wish you all great and healthy New Year!
May all your wishes come true in 2021!

@The Pirate, thank you for all the tireless support you contributed here for us.
@Olymoon, thank you for all your patience concerning the naughty audiozuser76.

 

Last edited: Jan 4, 2021

thanks sir
best way I've found so far

 

Thanks audiozuser76 for the information.

 

I find more easy to just download stopupdates 10 from greatis.
It do several parameter change (registry? and services?). I install it on every machine I put my hands on, and no problem so far.

 

Local Group Policy Editor settings have the highest priority and remain permanently.
It can't be modified by OS or other tools without explicit administrator permission.
I'll always prefer "on board" solution than some "third-party" tools.

 

You're Welcome!

 

Last edited: Jan 4, 2021

Thank you for the useful tip.

It's important to know, that your tip is also good to reenable the service if one wishes.

Also: Other tools are often bypassed by Microsoft, even if the settings should prevent this (e.g. by disabling the update service plus registry hacks, etc.) e.g. by a Windows self healing tool and Windows update Medic Service.

 

Last edited: Jan 4, 2021

If you don't use Windows Professional you can download this free tool: https://www.sordum.org/downloads/?st-windows-update-blocker

One click and you're set.

 

Oh yeah, the famous "One Click"-Tools.
We know them very well...

 

Thank you for taking the time to do this.
So, once I have done this, will Windows 10 never ever download updates by itself - of will there be a point at which it will still do it? I heard something about a thing where Windows 10 will allow you to postpone updates to a certain point, but then, at some point, it'll still force them on you. How does this work exactly?

 

Because what is that good? End the update? don't you have to keep your PC up to date?
I don't know if I should do that too?

 

Whenever I get windows update my PC acts weirdly for atleast 2 days after the update, Hopefully this will solve the issue. Thanks for the solution!

 

All update requests & downloads from the Microsoft server are permanently & completely disabled respectively blocked.
The Local Group Policy setting can't be modified from outside, as in the case of some crappy "One Click"-Tools.

 

Right... but your solution only works for Professional Edition. I'm not re-installing a cracked version of Windows just to stop updates on a legitimate version!!!

Has anyone actually confirmed that the latest Windows update does actually require all VSTs to be re-installed. It sounds dubious to me.

 

Hey I like this kind of information spread around

There is a very good, open source, free tool to do this and much more:
https://wpd.app/
Clean your windows!

 

Thank you. So I can then still do updates manually?

 

Thank you for this useful tip, that's what I looking for

 

Yes, you can manually trigger update request at any time.

 

For home users, GPEDIT.MSC can be used, you just have to jump through a few hoops first

I would say Professional is much better though, better again would be the LTSC builds of Windows 10

https://www.itechtics.com/enable-gpedit-windows-10-home/

 

Also if you still want/need to apply updates you can use the WSUS Offline Update tool

Althought I wouldnt reccomend this on LTSC builds and other stripped back builds that are not designed for updates, you could maybe get away with using it for critical patches

https://download.wsusoffline.net/

 

Last edited: Jan 4, 2021