How to stop automatic Windows 11 updates on your PC

Your devices must always be up-to-date. That is also true for your PC, but incessant and frequent updates may disrupt your workflow and cause compatibility issues, especially after the Windows 11 rollout that changes the automatic update policy for devices. Thankfully, there are ways to stop Windows 11 from updating automatically. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide on how to stop automatic updates on Windows 11, ensuring users have more control over their system.

Understanding Automatic Updates

Automatic updates are designed to keep your operating system secure and up-to-date with the latest features. While this is beneficial in terms of security and performance, some users prefer to manage updates manually to avoid unexpected interruptions or changes to their system.

Disabling Automatic Updates

To disable automatic updates on Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings: Click on the Start menu and select Settings.

2. Navigate to Windows Update: In the Settings menu, go to Windows Update.

3. Pause Updates: Under the Windows Update section, you can choose to pause updates for a certain period.

4. Advanced Options: Click on Advanced Options to access additional settings.

5. Toggle Off Automatic Updates: Look for the option to toggle off automatic updates.

Using Group Policy Editor

For users with Windows 11 Pro edition, the Group Policy Editor offers more advanced options to control updates:

1. Open Group Policy Editor: Press Win + R, type ‘gpedit.msc’, and hit Enter.

2. Navigate to Windows Update Policies: Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update.

3. Disable Automatic Updates: Find the ‘Configure Automatic Updates’ policy and set it to ‘Disabled’.

Managing Updates with Registry Editor

Advanced users can also use the Registry Editor to stop automatic updates:

1. Open Registry Editor: Press Win + R, type ‘regedit’, and hit Enter.

2. Navigate to Windows Update Key: Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate.

3. Create a New DWORD: Right-click on WindowsUpdate, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it ‘AUOptions’.

4. Modify AUOptions: Double-click on AUOptions, set the value to 2 to notify for download and notify for installation, or 1 to disable automatic updates.

By following these steps, users can take control of their Windows 11 update settings and manage them according to their preferences. Whether using the Settings menu, Group Policy Editor, or Registry Editor, there are options available for users of all technical levels to stop automatic updates and ensure a smoother computing experience.