How do I disable Automatic Update for Windows Update

Anonymous
2013-10-18T00:55:44+00:00

I just bought a Surface RT, and updated to 8.1. My PC says it's set to automatically update, and it's not providing me with any obvious way to disable automatic updates.

Automatic updates for a computer's operating system have proven irritating and problematic for me in the past, and I would like to avoid that headache if at all possible.

Please for the love of God tell me I can disable automatic updates.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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Anonymous
2013-12-31T02:24:55+00:00

I have been reading a lot of posts on here...

Basically, Microsoft support will only post what there told to post.

This is how you turn Auto Updates on or off on Windows RT.

  1. Hit the Windows button.
  2. Type view local services and click it.
  3. Find Windows update and right click Startup Type.
  4. Go to Properties, you'll see Startup type again.

5. Click disable and apply.

Turn it on in the same way.

" I will bust my RT back to 8 "

The truth is out there....

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-11-04T20:29:20+00:00

    I really hope that you are not trying to make it al look like it's a good thing because it isn't. I want to grab my tablet and use it whenever I need to. But when I grab my tablet at a meeting to take notes or show a presentation and it says 'Nope, I need to update right now for about TWO AND A HALF HOUR' that's ****. How much I like Windows 8 and Windows Phone that really **** me of. 

    A message that says it must restart in a few days is not, in any way,  the same as the ability to postpone an update.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-11-04T09:16:17+00:00

    This is not true. Yesterday I was forced to restart my Surface 2 RT device. Resulting in the fact that I couldn't use it for almost 3 (THREE) hours! 

    And I just wanted to use the tablet to read a forum on the couch.. but nooooo.. Updates have to be pushed.

    Who makes these decisions.. "On the Surface RT updates must be forced!"  What a ****!

    I'm really thinking about returning to an Android tablet because of these kind of stupid decisions!

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-12-20T18:19:42+00:00

    [HOW TO] Change Windows Update settings

    Surface RT and Surface 2 (and Surface 3, one assumes): Windows Update settings are always on and can’t be disabled. You can’t change Windows Update settings for Windows RT.

    Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2 (and Surface Pro 3, one assumes): To change your Windows Update settings:

    Step 1: Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and tap or click Settings, and then tap or click Change PC settings.

    Step 2: Tap or click Update and recovery, and then tap or click Windows Update.

    Step 3: Tap or click Choose how updates get installed, select the settings you want, and then tap or click Apply. [1]

    If, for example, you turned off (disable) automatic updating during set up and you want to turn this feature back on (enable) again, choose Install updates automatically (recommended).

    Source and more: http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/support/performance-and-maintenance/install-software-updates-for-surface

    ===============================================================

    [1] IMPORTANT! => Windows Defender will only auto-update itself when the Install updates automatically option is selected.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-10-19T11:42:02+00:00

    Hi Ren,

    It appears that installing updated had caused issues in the past. However, it is not suggested to disable updates.

    Your Windows RT device will get hardware drivers, critical updates, security updates and other firmware updates only through updates. We do not have the option to manually install teh drivers. So these updates are very much essentials for the security and proper functionality of the device.

    Windows Update settings are always on and can’t be disabled. You can’t change Windows Update settings for Windows RT.

    I would suggest you to install the updates available. If you face any issues, please reply here and we will help you with the issue.

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