If you’ve been using Microsoft Windows 10, you’ve probably noticed that this operating system automatically downloads software updates. Whenever Microsoft releases a new update to Windows 10, Windows 10 downloads those updates by default without informing the user. Although it is good to use an updated OS, it often consumes a huge amount of internet data. This is a cause for concern for those with limited internet data. Many times the PC restarts to install updates and takes time to upgrade. There is no direct option to turn off automatic updates from Windows 10 settings. But with a little practice, you can easily turn off Windows 10 Auto Update.

Windows 10 This post describes two different strategies for turning off auto-updates. You can use any of these conveniently.

Strategy 1: Set the internet network as ‘Metered Connection’

Those who use Internet on Windows 10 PC through WiFi hotspot will be able to use this method. If you set your Internet connection to ‘Metered’, Windows will understand that this connection is not unlimited, so updates will not be downloaded automatically when connected to it. However, if the connection name / hotspot device is changed then if the meter is not set again, auto update will be started again. So if you change the name of the connection or the hotspot device, it will have to be set as ‘Metered’ anew. Here’s how to identify a WiFi connection as ‘metered’:

>> Open the ‘Settings’ from the Start menu by clicking the Start button while your PC is connected to the Internet on your WiFi hotspot.

>> Open the ‘Network and Internet’ section from Settings. Click on the ‘WiFi’ section there. The name of the WiFi network currently connected can be seen on the right. Click on the name of that WiFi network.

>> Now, at the bottom of the page that will come, under the heading ‘Metered Connection’, click on the switch that says ‘Set as Metered Connection’ and turn it on.

By now, Windows 10 updates will no longer be downloaded automatically to your current WiFi Internet connection.

This way you can also meter the broadband connection connected to the PC. In that case use the ‘Ethernet’ option just below the WiFi section.

If you ever want to re-launch Windows 10 Automatic Updates, turn it off by clicking on the ‘Set as Metered Connection’ switch under the heading ‘Metered Connection’ in the above method.

Strategy 2: Turn off ‘Windows Update Service’

Downloading updates to Windows computers is a routine process of software that can be turned off with a little cunning. By doing this, the process will not be able to start automatically, so the Windows 10 update will not be downloaded automatically. Let’s see how it can be done

1. Hold down the Windows key on the keyboard and press the R button to launch the run command (i.e. press Windows + R).
2. In the Run command box that appears, type services.msc in the box and press Enter
3. Now a window will open, in which the names of many services will be written in the form of list. Find the ‘Windows Update’ service at the bottom of the list and double-click on it to open the service’s Properties menu.
4. Here in the ‘General’ tab, select the ‘Disabled’ option for ‘Startup Type’ and click on the ‘OK’ button. Now the computer will want to restart. Restart. By now, Windows 10 updates will never be automatically downloaded to your computer.

If you ever want to start Windows 10 Automatic Update again, select ‘Automatic’ option for ‘Startup Type’ in the above method and click ‘OK’.

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