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While Microsoft has made a number of improvements to the Windows Update process, it’s still far from perfect. One of the most annoying aspects of Windows Update is that it tends to restart your computer at inopportune times. This can be especially frustrating if you’re in the middle of working on something and you’re suddenly booted out of your program.
The best way to prevent Windows Update from restarting your computer is to simply turn off the automatic update feature. Of course, this means that you’ll have to remember to manually check for and install updates, which can be a hassle. But it’s better than having your computer restarted without your permission.
Do you know how to permanently turn off automatic updates in Windows 11? We will share a couple of methods to get it sorted out.
What is the Windows 11 Automatic Update?
Windows automatic update is a feature that Microsoft has included in its Windows 11 operating system to keep users’ computers up to date with the latest security patches and features. The update process is automatic and typically happens in the background, without any user intervention required. However, users can also manually check for and install updates if they wish.
There are a few potential disadvantages of the Windows automatic update feature to be aware of as well. First, it can sometimes install updates that users may not want or need, which can lead to bloatware or other unwanted software on the system. Additionally, the update process can sometimes cause problems, such as by causing incompatibilities with certain software or hardware, or by breaking existing features. Finally, Microsoft has been known to use the automatic update process to push through changes that users may not agree with, such as the introduction of the Windows 11.
Why Does Windows 11 Keep Updating Every Day?
There are a few reasons why Windows 11 might be updating itself every day. First, it could be that you have automatic updates turned on and your computer is set to install updates automatically. This is the default setting for Windows 11, so it’s possible that you didn’t even realize that updates were being installed on a daily basis.
Second, it could be that you have specific software or drivers that require frequent updates. If this is the case, then you might want to consider changing your update settings so that only important updates are installed automatically.
Finally, it’s also possible that your computer is simply running low on disk space and is using the daily update process to clean up old files and free up space.
If you’re not sure why your computer is updating itself every day, then you can check the Windows Update history to see what updates have been installed recently. This can help you troubleshoot if there’s a specific update that’s causing problems
Can I Turn off Windows 11 Automatic Updates?
Yes, there are a few different ways you can use to turn off Windows 11 automatic updates. You can see the details in the following sections of this content.
Is it Safe to Turn off Windows 11 Updates?
Yes. In most cases, it is quite safe to turn off Windows 11 updates as there are a number of solid protection mechanisms that comes with Windows 11 itself. However, you should be aware of some risks if you decided to disable Windows 11 auto updates.
One of the biggest risks of disabling Windows updates is that you will no longer receive security patches and updates. This means that your computer will be more vulnerable to malware and other security threats. If you have a good antivirus program and you take other precautions, such as not downloading files from untrustworthy sources, then this may not be a major concern. However, it is still something to keep in mind.
Another risk is that you may miss out on important updates and features. This is especially true if you disable automatic updates altogether. While you can still manually check for updates, you may forget to do so or you may not be aware of an update until it is too late.
Finally, you should be aware that some updates can cause problems with your computer. This is usually rare, but it is something to keep in mind.
Method 1: Turn off Windows 11 Auto Update in Settings App
If you’re not keen on Windows 11 automatically installing updates as they’re released, you can change the Windows Update settings to notify you before any updates are downloaded and installed on your computer. Here’s how:
1. Click on the Start button, then select Settings.
2. In the Settings window, click on Update & Security.
3. In the Update & Security window, click on Windows Update on the left-hand side.
4. On the right-hand side, under Update Settings, click on the Change button.
5. In the Choose how updates are installed window, select the Notify me but don’t automatically download or install them option.
6. Click on the OK button to save your changes.
Now, you’ll be notified when new updates are available, but they won’t be downloaded and installed automatically. If you want to install the updates, you’ll need to go into the Windows Update settings and select the Check for updates button.
Method 2: Turn off Windows 11 Auto Update from Registry Editor
Registry Editor is an system utility that allows you to view and edit the Windows registry. The registry is a central database that stores information and settings for all the software on your computer. The Registry Editor allows you to view and edit the registry, which can be helpful if you need to troubleshoot a problem or make changes to your system.
However, the Registry Editor can also be dangerous, because making even a small change can have a big impact on your system. If you’re not careful, you could make your computer unstable or even unusable. So, if you’re going to use the Registry Editor, it’s important to know what you’re doing.
Here is how to disable automatic updates on Windows 11 from Registry Editor:
1. Open the Registry Editor by pressing Windows key + R, then type "regedit" and hit Enter.
2. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\
3. If the Windows key does not exist, create it by right-clicking on the Microsoft key, then selecting New > Key. Name the new key Windows.
4. If the Windows key already exists, skip to the next step.
5. With the Windows key selected, right-click in the right pane and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
6. Name the new value DisableAutomaticUpdateChecks.
7. Double-click the new value and set it to 1 to disable automatic update checks, or set it to 0 to re-enable automatic update checks.
8. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
Method 3: Turn off Windows 11 Auto Update from Group Policy Editor
Group Policy Editor is a free tool on Windows 11 that allows administrators to manage the settings of a computer or network. Group Policy Editor can be used to control various aspects of a computer, including the settings for the Windows operating system, the software that is installed on the computer, and the user accounts that are created on the computer.
Here is how to disable automatic updates on Windows 11 from Group Policy Editor:
1. Open the Run dialog box (pressing the Windows key + R on your keyboard) and then typing "gpedit.msc" into the box and pressing Enter.
2. Once the Group Policy Editor is open, navigate to the following location:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update
3. In the Windows Update section, look for the setting titled "Configure Automatic Updates" and double-click it.
4. When the Configure Automatic Updates window appears, select the Disabled option and then click OK.
This will disable automatic updates in Windows 10, and you will no longer receive new updates through the Group Policy Editor.
Method 4: Turn off Windows 11 Auto Update Using Free Software
Windows Update Blocker is a free program that allows you to block certain Windows Updates from being installed on your computer. This can be useful if you are having problems with a particular update, or if you just want to make sure that you don’t install any updates that you don’t need.
Here’s how to do disable Windows 11 automatic updates using Windows Update Block app:
1. Download Windows Update Blocker from here.
2. Extract the zip file to a location of your choice.
3. Run the UpdateBlocker.exe file.
4. Click on the "Block Windows Updates" button. A message will appear asking if you’re sure you want to do this. Click on the "Yes" button.
5. Windows Update will now be blocked on your computer.
Summary
There are a few benefits to turning off Windows 11 automatic update. One is that it can free up some valuable system resources. If you have a lot of programs running in the background, turning off Windows Update can help your system run more smoothly.
Another benefit is that it can help you avoid installing unwanted or unnecessary updates. Windows Update can sometimes install updates that you don’t need or want, such as drivers for outdated hardware. If you turn off Windows Update, you can choose which updates to install yourself.
Of course, there are also some drawbacks to turning off Windows Update. One is that you won’t be able to install important security updates from Microsoft. This could leave your system vulnerable to malware and other security threats.
Another downside is that you may miss out on important new features and improvements in future versions of Windows. So, if you’re thinking of turning off Windows Update, weigh the pros and cons carefully before making a decision.