Windows: Disable updates with just a few clicks


Many Windows users feel overwhelmed by the multitude of updates. Because in addition to important security patches, Microsoft also frequently provides improvements and new functions. Sometimes even programming errors (bugs) come with an update. This then leads to crashes and error messages – most recently due to various Windows 11 problems. If automatic updates could be switched off without any problems in earlier Windows versions, this is only possible for a short time in Windows 10 and Windows 11. If you want to protect yourself from introduced bugs or are simply annoyed by the flood of updates, you can disable all unnecessary Windows updates without compromising security.

The trick with the metered connection

Curbing the flood of updates is not only easy on your nerves, but possibly also on your wallet. Anyone who uses a throttled DSL tariff, a mobile data tariff or a mobile phone with tethering function for Internet access on a PC or notebook can significantly reduce the data consumption of Windows with the following trick. To do this, the active Internet connection is simply declared as a “clocked” connection – i.e. as a mobile phone connection – in the Windows settings.

This also works with normal DSL or cable connections: Windows then assumes that the PC user has a data contract with a volume limit and only loads what is absolutely necessary from the network. This will create apps that Downloading data from Windows Store, possibly paused, live tiles no longer updated and only security-relevant updates are transferred. Unlike “crowbar tricks” that force the complete shutdown of the Windows Update function, security is not neglected here.

With these settings you ensure that Windows only downloads security updates.

Disable Windows updates

Read here how to declare your active Internet connection as a “metered” connection and stop the flood of updates. Perform the process on all networks used, such as at home and in the office:

  1. For example, to open the Windows settings, press the shortcut key Windows key + I. Then click on network and internet.
  2. If you don’t already see the Status page, click status. Then click under (Windows 10) or next to (Windows 11) your active network properties.
  3. In the next window, set the “Metered connection” switch to “On”.
  4. Complete! Unlock Windows settings with one click X. If you want or need to update Windows, turn the switch back to “Off” or allow updates via metered connections. To do this, switch to the menu windows updateClick on Expanded options and activate the switch “Download updates via metered connections”.

Important: The change also stops synchronization of the Microsoft cloud OneDrive. To turn it back on, just click the cloud icon in the notification area of ​​the taskbar and then click the pause icon that appears.

Windows 11 Pro

In the Pro version of Windows 11, the update block can be extended to up to five weeks.

Suspend Windows updates

With the May 2020 update of Windows 10 (version 2004), Microsoft has at least relaxed the previously rigid update policy and relaxed the settings for suspending its updates. Read here how you can temporarily suspend upcoming updates without using the trick above:
  1. Open the Windows settings with the keyboard shortcut Windows key + I.
  2. Click Windows Uupdate.
  3. If a week’s rest is enough for you, click on Update pause for 7 days (Windows 10) respectively on Stop for 1 week (Windows 11). By clicking continue updates you can interrupt the break at any time.
  4. Under Windows 10, the break can be extended to 35 days. To do this, click Expanded options and below “Suspend updates” select the date on which the updates should continue.
  5. Unfortunately, this does not work in Windows 11. There, however, you can extend the update pause to up to five weeks if you switch to the Pro version. To do this, click on the arrow next to “Stop for 1 week” as in the image above and select the desired period

Windows 11 Pro

Windows 11 Pro License

Get a license key for Windows 11 Pro now – for only 54.99 instead of 279 euros. You save around 80 percent compared to the RRP!

Customize Windows usage times

If you still feel disturbed by updates and the associated restarts, you should also adjust the usage times. You will then have peace of mind from annoying updates for up to 18 hours a day. Set the desired time period as follows:

  1. Open the Windows settings with the keyboard shortcut Windows key + I.
  2. click on windows updates, in Windows 11 additionally Expanded options.
  3. click on change usage time (Windows 10) respectively usage time (Windows 11).
  4. Now Windows shows the set usage time. If this is not enough for you, click in Windows 10 To changeset the start or end time, confirm with Save on computer and then set the switch to “On”. On Windows 11, on the other hand, click Automaticallythen up Manually and set the period. No switch needs to be activated there.



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