How to Disable Automatic Windows Updates in Windows 11
- 2 ways to do it
- Needs administrator rights
- Includes a restart or sign-out
Windows 11 has no single switch that turns updates off completely. You can still disable automatic updates in Windows 11 so your PC stops downloading and installing system updates without your permission. You decide when new software goes on. Windows checks for updates in the background all the time. Limiting that saves internet data and helps you avoid unexpected restarts during important work.
If you only need a short break, pause updates first. Open Settings Windows Update and use the Pause updates drop-down. You can pause for up to five weeks, in one-week steps. After that, Windows has to install the pending updates before you can pause again. This works on both Home and Pro, and you can undo it from the same page.
For a longer hold, use one of the two methods below. The metered connection is the safer one. The Registry method lasts longer but needs more care.
Open Settings Network & internet Wi-Fi, click your network name, turn on Metered connection, then check Settings Windows Update Advanced options and switch off Download updates over metered connections. Windows stops automatic large updates on that network.
Method 1Set Your Internet Connection as Metered
Setting your connection as metered tells Windows that your data is limited. On a metered connection, Windows stops downloading large system updates automatically. It is a reliable way to stop surprise downloads without touching advanced settings. Nothing is deleted or removed, and you can undo it in seconds. It works on both Home and Pro.
Metered settings belong to each network. If you switch to another Wi-Fi network, or plug in an Ethernet cable, you need to set it again for that connection. Windows may also still fetch a few critical updates on a metered connection. This method reduces updates but does not block every one.
How to Set Wi-Fi as a Metered Connection
These steps disable automatic updates in Windows 11 for your current Wi-Fi network by marking it as metered.
- Open Settings. Press Win+I and the Settings window opens.
- Click Network & internet. It is in the menu on the left, and the network options appear on the right.
- Click Wi-Fi. The page shows the Wi-Fi network you are currently using.
- Open your network’s settings page. Click the name of your Wi-Fi network. On some builds the entry is labelled Properties instead.
- Scroll down to Metered connection. It is further down the page, below the connection details.
- Turn the Metered connection switch to On. The switch changes position and the change applies straight away. You do not need to restart.
- Open Settings Windows Update Advanced options. This lets you check one more setting that can override the metered connection.
- Set Download updates over metered connections to Off. If it is on, Windows keeps downloading updates even on a metered network.
- To undo it later, return to the Wi-Fi network page. Turn the Metered connection switch Off.
Setting Wi-Fi as a metered connection takes a few clicks in the main Settings app. You open the properties of your active wireless network and turn on the metered connection switch. Windows then stops pulling background downloads over that network.
The Download updates over metered connections option sits in Windows Update’s advanced options. Check that it is switched Off. If it is on, Windows will keep downloading updates even on a metered network. If you use Ethernet, repeat the metered steps for that connection on the Ethernet page.
Method 2Pause Updates Using the Registry Editor
The Registry is like a central filing cabinet for Windows. It holds settings for the operating system and for installed programs. Be careful here, because a wrong change can cause problems. If you are not comfortable with it, use the metered connection method instead.
About the Registry Editor
The Registry Editor (regedit) is an advanced tool built into Windows. It lets you view and change system settings. It uses a folder-style tree on the left. You find a specific key there and change its values, which tells Windows to hold off on installing updates. You need an administrator account to make these changes. The tool is available in both Home and Pro editions.
Pausing Updates for a Long Time
These steps disable automatic updates in Windows 11 for a long period by editing the Registry, starting with a backup.
- Open the Registry Editor. Type
regeditinto the Windows search bar and press Enter. - Use the Run box instead if search does not work. Press Win+R, type
regedit, and press Enter. - Click Yes if User Account Control asks for permission. The Registry Editor opens, with a folder tree on the left and values on the right.
- Start the backup. Click File Export in the Registry Editor menu bar.
- Choose All under Export range. This saves a copy of the whole Registry, not just one branch.
- Name the file and click Save. Keep this .reg file somewhere safe, because you need it to undo the change.
- Expand the folders in the left pane one by one. Keep going until you reach the WindowsUpdate settings path for this method.
- Check that you are in the right place. Click each folder name in turn before you edit anything.
- Adjust the target values for that path. This makes Windows pause its search for updates. Copy the key and value names exactly as given for this method, and do not guess them. A wrong value in the wrong place can cause problems.
- Close the Registry Editor. Click the X in the top-right corner of the window.
- Restart your PC. Windows only picks up the change after a restart.
Pausing updates for a long time in the Registry Editor effectively disables Windows 11 updates by setting a future pause date. You open regedit, go to the WindowsUpdate settings path, and adjust the values. Windows then stops searching for and installing new system versions for months.
Check every path and setting name carefully. If you are not sure, use the metered connection method instead. To undo your changes, restore the backup. Double-click the exported .reg file and confirm the prompt, or reverse the values you changed and restart. Creating a System Restore point before you start is also a good idea.
Summary
To stop automatic updates in Windows 11, you can mark your network as metered or use the Registry Editor to pause updates for a long time. The metered method is the safer one and takes seconds to reverse. The Registry method holds updates off longer, but it needs care and a backup. Both give you control over when your PC downloads patches, which helps you avoid unexpected reboots and heavy data use. Check for updates by hand every so often, because security fixes matter.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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