I remember when I first got my Windows 10 computer, one thing that bothered me was the constant automatic updates. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the importance of keeping my computer up to date with the latest security patches and bug fixes. However, sometimes these updates can be disruptive, especially when they occur at inconvenient times.
In this article, I will guide you through the process of turning off automatic updates on Windows 10, so you have more control over when and how your computer updates. Just keep in mind that by disabling automatic updates, you will need to manually check for and install updates to ensure your computer remains secure.
Step 1: Accessing Windows Update Settings
To get started, click on the “Start” button on the bottom left corner of your screen and select “Settings” from the menu.
In the Settings menu, select “Update & Security” to access the Windows Update settings.
Step 2: Configuring Update Options
Once you are in the Windows Update settings, click on the “Advanced options” link. This will open up additional options related to Windows updates.
Scroll down and locate the “Automatic updates” section. Here, you will find several options to customize how your computer updates:
- Automatic (recommended): This is the default setting for Windows 10, where updates are automatically downloaded and installed.
- Notify to schedule restart: With this option, Windows will download updates but will prompt you to choose a convenient time to install them and restart your computer.
- Notify to download: This option will notify you when updates are available, but you can choose whether or not to download and install them.
- Defer feature updates: If you select this option, you can delay major feature updates for a few months. However, security updates will still be installed.
Step 3: Disabling Automatic Updates
To completely disable automatic updates on Windows 10, select the “Notify to download” option. This will prevent Windows from automatically downloading and installing updates. You will be notified when updates are available, and you can choose whether or not to download and install them.
Keep in mind that it is still important to regularly check for updates and install them to ensure your computer remains protected against security vulnerabilities.
Step 4: Manual Update Checks
With automatic updates disabled, you will need to manually check for updates from time to time. To do this, go back to the Windows Update settings and click on the “Check for updates” button. Windows will then search for available updates, and you can choose which ones to download and install.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can take control over the automatic updates on your Windows 10 computer. Remember, while disabling automatic updates gives you more flexibility, it is important to regularly check for updates to keep your computer secure. Finding the right balance between convenience and security is key, and now you have the tools to do just that.