Windows Update can be paused or disabled, but the method depends on which version of Windows you have and whether you want a temporary pause or a longer-term change

Windows Update runs automatically on most computers to install security patches and feature updates. If updates are interrupting your work, slowing your machine, or causing problems with software you rely on, you can pause them for up to 35 days or disable the update service entirely. The steps differ between Windows 11, Windows 10, and older versions, and some editions (like Windows Home) have fewer options than others.

Before you disable updates, understand that security patches fix vulnerabilities that hackers exploit. Turning off updates for more than a few weeks leaves your computer at risk. If you are disabling updates because an update broke something, the better move is usually to uninstall that specific update rather than stop all updates permanently.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 11 and Windows 10 Home editions let you pause updates for up to 35 days through Settings, but cannot disable the service permanently.
  • Windows 10 and 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions can disable Windows Update Service through Services.msc, which stops updates until you re-enable it.
  • Pausing updates is safer than disabling them permanently, because your computer will resume checking for security patches after the pause expires.
  • If a specific update caused problems, uninstalling just that update is better than disabling all updates.
  • Disabling updates leaves your computer vulnerable to security exploits, so re-enable the service as soon as the problem is resolved.

Pause updates for up to 35 days (Windows 10 and 11 Home)

If you have Windows 10 or Windows 11 Home edition, you cannot permanently disable updates, but you can pause them. This is the safest option because updates will resume automatically after the pause expires.

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click System on the left side, then scroll down and click About. Look for the Windows Update section and click Windows Update settings. Click Pause updates for 7 days. You can repeat this up to five times to pause for a total of 35 days. After 35 days, Windows will force an update and the pause will reset.

This method does not actually disable Windows Update — it only delays it. Your computer will still check for updates and remind you that they are pending. If you need updates paused for longer than 35 days, you will need to upgrade to Windows Pro or use the Group Policy method described below.

Disable Windows Update Service (Windows 10 and 11 Pro, Enterprise, Education)

If you have Windows Pro, Enterprise, or Education edition, you can disable the Windows Update Service entirely using the Services application. This stops Windows from checking for or installing updates until you turn the service back on.

Press the Windows key and type "Services" (or "services.msc"), then press Enter. A window will open with a long list of services. Scroll down until you find Windows Update. Right-click on it and select Properties. In the Startup type dropdown, select Disabled. Click Apply, then click OK. If Windows Update is currently running, you will see a Stop button — click it to stop the service immediately.

Once you have disabled the service, Windows will not check for updates. Your computer will not remind you about pending updates, and no updates will install automatically. You must manually re-enable the service when you are ready to resume updates. To do this, open Services again, right-click Windows Update, select Properties, change Startup type back to Automatic, and click Apply.

Disable updates using Group Policy (Windows 10 and 11 Pro and Enterprise only)

Group Policy is a more permanent way to control Windows Update. It prevents the update service from running even if someone tries to restart it manually. This method works only on Windows Pro and Enterprise editions.

Press the Windows key and type "gpedit.msc", then press Enter. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update. Find the policy called Configure Automatic Updates and double-click it. Select Disabled and click OK. Close the Group Policy window.

This change takes effect immediately. Windows will not check for updates or display update notifications. To re-enable updates later, return to the same policy, select Not Configured or Enabled, and click OK. You may need to restart your computer for the change to take full effect.

Uninstall a specific update that is causing problems

If one particular update broke your software or caused your computer to malfunction, you do not need to disable all updates. You can uninstall just that update and let Windows Update continue protecting your system.

Open Settings and go to System > About > Windows Update settings. Click Update history. Scroll through the list to find the update that caused the problem — updates are listed by date and include a KB number (like KB5034441). Click Uninstall updates at the top of the page. Find the same KB number in the new window, right-click it, and select Uninstall. Windows will remove that update and restart your computer.

After the restart, that specific update will not reinstall immediately. However, Windows Update may try to install it again in a future update cycle. If the update continues to cause problems, you can hide it so Windows skips it permanently. Open Settings, go to Windows Update settings, and look for an option to hide updates — this varies by Windows version.

Re-enable Windows Update when you are ready

Once you have resolved the problem that made you disable updates, turn Windows Update back on. Leaving it disabled for weeks or months exposes your computer to security vulnerabilities that hackers actively exploit.

If you paused updates, simply wait for the pause to expire or manually resume by going to Settings > System > Windows Update settings and clicking Resume updates. If you disabled the Windows Update Service, open Services.msc again, right-click Windows Update, select Properties, change Startup type to Automatic, and click Apply. If you used Group Policy, return to the same policy and select Enabled or Not Configured.

After you re-enable updates, Windows will check for pending updates within a few hours. You may see a notification that updates are ready to install. Let them run, preferably when you are not using the computer — updates often require a restart.

What to do if Windows Update is stuck or broken

Sometimes Windows Update gets stuck downloading or installing an update, or the update service crashes repeatedly. In these cases, disabling updates temporarily while you troubleshoot is reasonable.

First, try restarting your computer — this fixes most stuck updates. If that does not work, open Settings > System > Windows Update settings and click Troubleshoot. Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that can fix common update problems. If the troubleshooter does not help, disable the Windows Update Service using the steps above, then search online for the specific error message you saw. Many update problems have known fixes that do not require disabling updates permanently.

Once you have found and applied a fix, re-enable the service and let Windows try the update again. If the same update keeps failing, you can hide it as described in the section above, and Windows will skip it in future update cycles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling Windows Update make my computer faster?

Disabling the service itself will not noticeably speed up your computer, because Windows Update runs in the background and uses minimal resources most of the time. If updates are actively installing and restarting your computer, disabling them will stop those interruptions. However, the performance gain is temporary — once you re-enable updates, the slowdown will return during the next update cycle.

Can I disable Windows Update on Windows 11 Home edition permanently?

No. Windows 11 Home does not include the Services application or Group Policy editor, so you cannot permanently disable updates. You can only pause them for up to 35 days. If you need permanent control over updates, you would need to upgrade to Windows Pro.

What happens if I disable updates and then get hacked?

Your computer becomes vulnerable to known security exploits that hackers actively use. Malware can steal passwords, financial information, or use your computer to attack other systems. This is why disabling updates should only be temporary. If you must disable updates for more than a few days, consider using a separate computer for sensitive tasks like banking.

Can I schedule Windows Update to run at a specific time instead of disabling it?

Windows 10 and 11 Pro editions allow you to set active hours, which tells Windows not to restart for updates during those times. Open Settings > System > Windows Update settings > Change active hours. Set the hours when you are actively using your computer, and Windows will delay restarts until after those hours end. This is better than disabling updates because your computer still receives security patches.

If I uninstall an update, will it install again automatically?

Yes, unless you hide it. After you uninstall an update, Windows Update may try to install it again in the next update cycle. To prevent this, open Windows Update settings, find the option to hide updates (called "Pause updates" or "Hide updates" depending on your version), and select the KB number of the update you want to skip.