How to disable automatic updates in Windows 10: Stop downloads and schedule restarts

Windows updates can be annoying but we show you how to take control of them.

Although Windows updates can bring good things, they can be really annoying and tend to happen at the worst moments. Here's how to disable automatic updates in Windows 10.

While Windows updates can feel intrusive and frustrating, it's not advisable to switch them off and simply leave it. The updates bring not only bug fixes and new features but important security patches. Without the latest updates your PC may be left vulnerable.

We're going to explain how to stop updates downloading automatically but also how to make sure you get to choose when the restart happens – which is probably the thing which is getting on your nerves.

This information is here so you can have more control over when things happen, but do keep your system up to date.

How to disable automatic updates in Windows 10

In Windows 10 you're going to have to trick the system into not automatically downloading updates. To do this you'll need to switch your Wi-Fi connection to metered so that it thinks you're connected to a mobile network. Unfortunately you can't do this with an Ethernet connection.

Step One

Select the Start button.

Step Two

Select Settings.

Step Three

Select Network & Internet.

Step Four

Click Advanced options at the bottom of the list of Wi-Fi networks.

Step Five

Move the Set as a metered connection slider to on.

How to set scheduled restarts for Windows 10 updates

We've shown you how to do stop automatic Windows 10 update Downloads but if you have an Ethernet connection or you just don't want the system to reboot automatically then here's what to do.

Step One

Select the Start button.

Step Two

Select Settings.

Step Three

Click Windows Update.

Step Four

Select Advanced options.

Step Five

Choose Notify to schedule restart in the drop down menu.