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
    2015-02-27T15:23:50+00:00

    I also recently purchased a Windows RT tablet. Please add an option to windows RT 8.1 so that you can turn on and off or postpone automatic updating at least when using a lte connection.  The automatic updates are using up precious data on my data plan. Its getting too costly to keep the tablet. I don't have a WiFi connection at home so can't leave my data connection on. Minimally, a warning that updating has begun so that I have s chance to turn off the lte connection before much data gets used. Or how about updating only on wifi? What a pain!!!!

    there are settings to NOT download updates when on a metered connection. use them.

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  2. @CmdrKeene 90,631 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2015-02-27T14:44:06+00:00

    I own 6 Android devices and all of them receive OS updates too.

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  3. @CmdrKeene 90,631 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2015-02-27T14:42:09+00:00

    Hi calwinger,

    Just set it not to use your data and it won't do it.  Use these, depending on your version:

    Monitor or **Limit Data** Usage in Windows 8

    or

    Monitor or **Limit Data Usage** in **Windows** 8.1

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-02-27T13:34:28+00:00

    The Surface irritated me way too much than a device should anyhow. So I sold it. 

    Strange choices were made (including the forced updates) while developing Win RT. I've tried my best because I love Windows 8.1 (non-RT) but after having an Android device for years WinRT is just not going to cut it for me. Sorry.

    Curious to see if Windows 10 for tablet can convince me otherwise..

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