Try these simple options first – they’re safe and easy to use.

• Open Settings > Windows Update.

• Click “Pause updates”.

• Choose how long to pause (up to 5 weeks).

• Your PC won’t install updates during this period.

• Open Settings > Windows Update.

• Click “Advanced options”.

• Set Active hours to the times you usually use your PC.

• Windows will avoid restarting during these hours.

• Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi.

• Click your network.

• Turn on “Set as metered connection”.

• Windows will limit updates on metered connections.

• Go to Settings > Windows Update.

• Click “Advanced options”.

• Under “Feature updates”, choose to defer for up to 365 days (Pro/Enterprise

• Go to Settings > System > Notifications.

• Find “Windows Update”.

• Turn off “Suggestions” and “Restart notifications”.

These methods give you more control but require extra caution.

• Press Windows + R.

• Type “services.msc” and press Enter.

• Find “Windows Update”.

• Right-click > Properties.

• Set Startup type to “Disabled”.

• Click Stop > Apply > OK.

• Press Windows + R.

• Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.

• Go to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update.

• Double-click “Configure Automatic Updates”.

• Select “Disabled” > Apply.

• Press Windows + R.

• Type regedit and press Enter.

• Navigate to the path above.

• Create a new DWORD (32-bit) named “NoAutoUpdate”.

• Set Value data to 1.

• Restart your PC.

• Open Notepad as Admin.

• Open file: C:WindowsSystem32driversetchosts

• Add the lines above.

• Save and restart your PC.

• O&O ShutUp10++

• Windows Update Blocker

• SimpleWall (Firewall)

These tools can block or control update behaviour easily.

• Go to Settings > Windows Update.

• Click Advanced options.

• Under “Quality updates”, defer up to 30 days.

• Under “Feature updates”, defer up to 365 days.

• Choose when updates install automatically.