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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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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
    2014-11-04T21:33:44+00:00

    The point is... There shouldn't be a timer.  

    Android doesn't have it,  iOS doesn't have it, Linux doesn't have it..  no other OS forces updates as much as MS does. 

    I just don't understand why you try to convince people that 'It's a good thing that MS forces people to sit at the conference table with a non responding tablet, because it needs to update' 

    I changed from Android to a Surface tablet just to give it a chance.. So I'm sitting there being proud of me being the only one with a new tablet NOT being an iOS or Android device and  what happens? Correct, I am the only one who can't take notes because of my device needs to update.. Great!! 

    And than you come around telling me that it's my own fault and MS is right and I'm wrong?!

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-12-20T23:35:31+00:00

    So its not just me .. updates seem to be causing programme issues .. disabled audio, stopping outlook sync  and no way to turn off .. RT slimmed down or anorexic ??

    ollie

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-10-20T02:50:44+00:00

    Hello Babu,

    I recognize the importance of the Windows updates. Left to my own devices, I have automatic updates toggled off, and I download and install them later the same day of release.

    While the driver installations themselves have caused issues, it happens infrequently enough that it isn't such a nuisance. I didn't clarify before, but the specific issue that I'm trying to avoid is an automatic update completing and giving me a request to restart and a fifteen minute window to postpone or an automatic restart kicks in.

    With Windows 7 an automatic updates turned on, I have had this fifteen minute window pop up and lapse while I was away from the keyboard, and this has caused me to lose progress in certain files or downloads. I was trying to avoid that with Windows 8.1

    However, I have had a few automatic updates occur on the system so far, and none of them have left me with that short, 15 minute time frame. The latest one gave 24 hours. Is this a new change to automatic updates? If I am given that much time to restart, I will be at peace with automatic updates and stop fussing.

    Thank you for your reply.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-10-19T23:50:24+00:00

    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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