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.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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....

Was this answer helpful?

300+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

107 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. @CmdrKeene 90,631 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2014-11-04T17:16:37+00:00

    That means your lock screen has had a bright warning at the bottom for 3 days saying "Windows will apply updates in 3 days..."

    Now you may not have seen it, and I personally agree with you that maybe it should be somewhere more noticeable besides the lock screen, but it is there.

    I'm sorry you couldn't read while it did the update.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2014-06-18T17:13:21+00:00

    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 Surface-specific support for updates by beginning your own, new thread in the appropriate forum here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/surfupdate

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2014-06-18T02:53:33+00:00

    I have a surface.  Every time it up-dates, I lose the wireless connection.  I run troubleshooter and get the message that there is a problem problem with the hardware or the driver.

    i then go though the process of uninstalling all the drivers - either one by one, or in a reset.  This does the trick until the next auto up-date.

    what can I do about this blasted problem? I can't stop it up-dating and I can't seem to find another solution to keep the wireless drive up and running.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. @CmdrKeene 90,631 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2013-12-23T17:42:45+00:00

    Windows 8 doesn't do the 15 minute thing:  you get 3 days warning by default, and you can always postpone it.  Hopefully this helps.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments