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
    2018-04-05T20:42:00+00:00

    The page is giving more actions that are necessary, sorry about that.

    run sfc from an elevated command prompt.

    To do this in RT, in charms search, enter   cmd    ,right click it and select 'run as administrator'

    In the Window enter at the prompt enter  sfc /scannow.

    there is a space between sfc and /

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-04-02T23:11:01+00:00

    Good day to you. Have a new problem with my surface. After all the updates that I have finally got installed my unit is going to a black screen when I play a game like solitaire or when I pause my unit when I am watching Netflix. I don't know if it will go to a black screen randomly on other programs because I have not done anything else since I updated. I end up having to hold the start button to turn unit off then I am able to turn it back on again.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-10-09T22:54:58+00:00

    Watch this short video you will learn how to stop automatic Windows update. The operating system in that video is Windows Update but it's applicable on Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and Windows 10. 

    Click this link to watch it: https://youtu.be/s1CkGIsnGsU

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-12-22T01:44:22+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.

    This response is the height of stupidity, you can't defend Microsoft for not providing a method to control when updates happen. It's one of millions of occasions over the years when Microsoft wears it star-spangled tinted spectacles and assumes that the whole world works the same as the US.

    The simple fact is we don't all have permanent access to unmetred internet. I want my RT tablet to download its updates when it has access to a proper WiFi service, I do not want it to download updates when I am mobile and using my phone as a hot-spot because my phone has a limited daily allowance which Windows updates can eat in no time at all, leaving me unable to make proper use of the internet when I'm out and about. 

    Microsoft created a device that relies entirely on external devices for its internet access, they should have therefore made it possible for users to decide when to download large updates so that we can make sure it only happens when we are on unlimited connections.

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