Is it safe to stop Windows 10 updates permanently?

Stopping updates for extended periods exposes you to security risks, since updates contain patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities. The better approach is temporary pausing followed by periodic manual updates — especially security updates — or scheduling updates to run at a convenient time.

Can I schedule updates to run at a specific time that doesn't interrupt me?

Yes. Windows 10 allows you to schedule updates to run during periods when you're not using the device. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update → Change active hours to specify your active hours so updates don't run during them.

Why do updates restart after I stop them?

If updates resume after being stopped via the service method, this can happen after a device restart. Use StopUpdates10 to ensure the stop persists — it applies the block through the registry in a more stable way.

Does stopping updates affect Windows Defender antivirus?

Yes. Disabling Windows Update may also stop Windows Defender updates, weakening your device's protection against new viruses. StopUpdates10 allows separate control over Windows Defender updates, giving you more flexibility.

What's the difference between pausing feature updates and security updates?

Feature updates are large updates that add new capabilities to Windows and can be several gigabytes in size — they can be deferred for up to 365 days. Security updates are smaller, essential patches that fix security vulnerabilities and can be deferred for up to 30 days — permanent disabling of security updates is strongly not recommended.

Stop Windows 10 Updates Permanently — 3 Effective Methods Without Software

Stop Windows 10 Updates Permanently

Microsoft releases many updates to address system issues that users may encounter, along with continuous security updates to strengthen system protection. In general, Microsoft sends updates to your installed Windows 10, and the system automatically downloads and installs these updates without waiting for your approval — especially for security updates.

The problem is that these continuous updates consume significant internet bandwidth and eat through your data plan — especially if you have a limited internet package. Annual updates can also be very large, sometimes reaching approximately 4 GB in size.

Method 1: Built-in Pause Updates Option

In recent versions of Windows 10, a new option has been added within the operating system update settings that lets you disable Windows 10 updates for up to 35 days. This option appeared with the Creators Update released by Microsoft.

To use this feature, go to Windows Settings, then navigate to Update & Security, then Advanced options, then scroll down to find Pause Updates. From there, choose how long you want to pause updates — up to 35 days maximum. All Windows 10 updates will be cancelled for the selected period.

Method 2: Permanently Disable the Windows Update Service

The Windows Update service detects new Windows updates and programs and installs them automatically. Once you disable this service, you can no longer use the automatic Windows update feature, and programs won't be able to download and install automatically.

Steps:

Press Windows + R together to open the Run dialog. Type services.msc and press Enter or click OK. Find Windows Update in the window that appears and double-click it.

In the Windows Update Properties window: from the Startup type dropdown select Disabled, click Stop to stop the currently running service, then click Apply and OK. Restart your device to apply the changes.

⚠️ Note: This method stops all updates permanently including security updates. To re-enable them later, repeat the same steps and choose Automatic from Startup type.

Method 3: StopUpdates10 Tool

The interface of the Windows 10 update stopping tool is very simple — containing just an Enable and a Disable button. To stop updates, simply press Disable. To reverse the decision and re-enable updates, press Enable.

StopUpdates10 is a small program that stops Windows updates on the device through registry modifications. You can stop updates or restore them at any time based on your needs. After pressing Stop Windows Updates, any attempt to check for updates will show an error — until you restore update functionality from within the program.

StopUpdates10 is compatible with all Windows versions without any issues. You can schedule automatic updates on your own terms, and control Windows Defender updates separately using the same tool.

Comparison of the Three Methods

Pause Updates option: Temporary pause up to 35 days — suitable for devices where you only need a temporary stop.

Disabling Windows Update service: Full permanent stop covering all update types — suitable for advanced users who know when to re-enable it.

StopUpdates10: Full permanent stop with a simple interface and easy reversal at any time — the easiest option for most users.

Should You Stop Windows 10 Updates Permanently?

We recommend all users keep Windows updates enabled as much as possible, as they patch security vulnerabilities and protect your device. However, the main downside of Windows updates is their significant internet consumption and the slowdown they cause during the update process.

Before proceeding, remember that some automatic updates will be security patches or important stability improvements that your system really should have. Keep this in mind if you choose to stop Windows 10 updates permanently.

Final Thoughts

Stopping Windows 10 updates is justified for users with limited internet plans or slow connections. The best recommendation is to use the built-in Pause Updates option for temporary pauses, or StopUpdates10 for a full stop with easy reversal — rather than completely disabling the Windows Update service, which can expose you to security risks over time.