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
    2014-11-06T22:04:20+00:00

    Reposting...

    Method 1 in http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2500967 is good for Win8 & Win8.1, and possibly good for your Surface computer.

    By default, Surface hardware (also known as firmware) updates and Windows Updates install automatically as they become available.

    If yours is a Surface Pro, Surface Pro 2 or Surface Pro 3 computer, you can change your Automatic Updates settings such that no updates are downloaded or installed without your approval. See http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/support/performance-and-maintenance/install-software-updates-for-surface#Change  

    You will find support for Surface updates in this forum: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/surfupdate

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-02-19T14:45:13+00:00

    As I have not been having many problems with my computer until the latest updates, so I am late to this forum.

    Microsoft, please stop the auto updates.  It keeps changing every time I do regular updates and I missed it once.  Now I have 8.1RT, and cannot print.  My printer is 8.0 compatible (Dell V305w), but not 8.1 or 8.1RT.  I have tried compatibility mode with Win 7 and Win 8, but neither work. 

    My computer is now throwing fits (Dell Studio XPS i7 processer w/8G RAM).  The last time I had this problem (when 8.1 came out), I had to reinstall 8.0.  Please stop this for those who do not have enough money to buy new printers or computers every time you come out with a new update.

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  3. @CmdrKeene 90,631 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2015-02-19T14:57:31+00:00

    Windows 8.0 is over 4 years old and the mainstream support will be ending in a few months.

    You can upgrade and that printer will work if you use these steps: http://commweb-ps3.us.dell.com/support-forums/peripherals/f/3528/t/19534907

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-02-19T23:05:02+00:00

    Microsoft, please stop the auto updates...

    Microsoft is NOT going to stop offering updates to your computer.

    Chances are your printer is not supported in Win8.1/IE11 - so maybe it's time to buy a new printer?

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