How to: block automatic updates in Windows 10

Technical Level : Basic

Summary

Windows Update in particular features some major changes. Since the introduction of Windows Update as part of Windows, Microsoft has delivered updates as a way to keep Windows updated and secure. This has always been the way the company keeps commercial versions of Windows on the market current. With Windows 10, Microsoft is making significant changes to this model by delivering new methods of servicing the operating system. Taking into account we now live in a mobile, constantly connected world where threats happen all the time. Part of the solution to this is to keep users current by providing the latest updates as soon as they are available in addition to delivering features as soon as they ready too…automatically.


Details

Windows 10 Home users can pretty much expect to mandatorily install all critical Windows Updates. Windows 10 Pro will let you delay updates for a period of time. Customers running the Enterprise edition will have complete control over Windows Update. Why I think this is a good idea is based on my years of coming across PC’s, laptops running Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 from a friend or relative that has not been updated since they first booted it up.

This mandatory procedure finally takes care of that. Users on metered connections should not worry though, updates are not downloaded automatically when your Internet connection is set as metered/mobile broadband.

Defer upgrades in Windows 10

  • Some Windows 10 editions let you defer upgrades to your PC. When you defer upgrades, new Windows features won’t be downloaded or installed for several months. Deferring upgrades doesn’t affect security updates. Note that deferring upgrades will prevent you from getting the latest Windows features as soon as they’re available.

Source: Microsoft

Is there an option or work around to block updates or hardware drivers that might cause problems?

Yes, Microsoft has released a KB update (KB3073930) that will let users block or hide Windows or driver updates.

You can download it at the following link:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3073930  

When you click on the download link, you will be prompted to open or save wushowhide.diagcab.



Opening wushowhide.diagcab will launch the troubleshooter. Then click Next to proceed and follow the instructions provided by the troubleshooter to hide the problematic driver or update.

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Thanks very much Andre. The Synaptics update loop has been bugging me for a few days and now it's fixed. Your information and advise is much appreciated.

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I'm on a metered satellite connection and only have 2G/month download allowance at peak time (7am to midnight). Can I set Windows and other updates to start and finish between midnight and 7am?

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Every time I run the Update troubleshooter it says it found and fixed something but it still never works.  Windows Update says it needs to start a separate window to do the install but one never opens and it just sits there spinning.  I have three updates it says are needed, including the Synaptics update.  But when I run the wushowhide, it shows a list with several more updates that aren't on my updates and doesn't show the Synaptics one.

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Thats fine but my computer will not let me go online, evertime I do then that buggery blue screen shows up and I get restarted. I think windows 10 sucks and not worth the effort. I am now going back to windows 7

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Still not going to use this version until I get back the same control that was there in previous versions. There is no reason to have removed it.

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My daughter's computer is set to metered connection, but still seems to be downloading updates. Used up all our monthly data allowance yesterday. The free upgrade is starting to cost me money as I have to buy volume boosters. We always update our computers, just at times that don't eat into our allowance. The mandatory downloads are too draconian for those of us who can only get limited broadband.

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I'm very sorry to hear this is happening to you. I would suggest reverting to the previous installation of Windows on the computer with the metered connection, before your daughter spends to much time customizing her new version. Please see the following link regarding information about your metered connection/Win 10 updates. http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-win_upgrade/i-have-a-metered-connection-how-will-i-deal-with/c815013e-0631-4346-b603-0ffe41f1b44f

Please reply if you have any more questions.

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I have always found Microsoft's approach towards driver updates to be the weakest aspect of their operating system and it still is a huge disappointment as far as I am concerned.

How hard would it be to have in the device properties a box to check that enables a "manual" override and display this in the actual update window with a notation that a certain piece of hardware will not be automatically updated and this is a new driver that is available for download. Also have a report outdated driver download button because it is hugely frustrating to have to fight with software to keep the correct one running.

For example in the update window:

Attention: NVIDEA GeForce 260 is set to manual update, current driver assigned: 9.18.13.4195 (Jan 1, 2016)

Available driver: 9.18.13.4192 (Oct 13,2015)   [ x ] REPORT AS OUTDATED DRIVER

Now how hard is that to implement???? Microsoft cannot manage the huge backlog of drivers that are constantly being updated, they never have and that is why they should give users the ability to help out.

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I completely disagree with the automatic updates in Win10. Such an update just cost me 6 hours of access to my computer...failed and had to roll back costing another hour. Microsoft has to do better! Experienced users want control of their PCs!
DFG99

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Last updated January 31, 2024 Views 675 Applies to: