How to enable or disable the Windows automatic updates

Updated: 02/07/2022 by Computer Hope

Software updates

It'southward important to keep your Windows computer up-to-date with whatsoever operating arrangement or software updates. Nevertheless, if necessary, yous can pause or stop Windows updates in some versions of Windows. To enable or disable Windows updates, select your version of Windows below and follow the instructions.

Windows 10 and xi

Windows Update is automatically turned on in Windows x and Windows 11, and cannot be turned off for abode users. Only enterprise users (Windows ten and Windows eleven for business) can delay the installation of Windows updates.

Windows Vista, 7, and 8

  1. Open up the Control Panel
  2. Nether System and Security, click Turn automated updating on or off in the Windows Update section.
  3. In the Of import updates department (as shown below), click the downwards arrow and cull how you want Windows to download and install updates.
  4. Click OK to save the changes.

Windows update properties

Tip

If the drop-downwards list in the Of import updates section is greyed out, the Windows update settings are locked by an administrator. In this instance, you cannot make any changes. Computers at a business concern or school often accept an administrator lock on Windows updates, and other settings.

If you practise non have a Organization and Security option in the Command Panel, follow these steps instead.

  1. In the Control Panel, open up the Windows Update option.
  2. Click the Change settings pick on the left side of the Windows Update window.
  3. In the Important updates section (equally shown to a higher place), click the down arrow and choose how you want Windows to download and install updates.
  4. Click OK to save the changes.

Windows XP

  1. Open the Control Panel
  2. Open the Organisation option.
  3. Click the Automated Updates tab.
  4. Check or uncheck the choice for Keep my figurer upwardly to date.
  5. If y'all are enabling this feature past checking this box, select one of the three settings on how you want to be notified for updates. Nosotros would recommend selecting the second option, Download the updates automatically and notify me when they are gear up to be installed.
  6. Click Utilise and OK to save the changes.

Windows 2000

  1. Open the Control Panel
  2. Open Automatic Updates.
  3. Check or uncheck the option for Keep my computer up to engagement.
  4. If you are enabling this feature by checking this box, select one of the three settings on how you want to be notified for updates. We would recommend selecting the 2nd choice, Download the updates automatically and notify me when they are fix to be installed.
  5. Click Apply and OK to save the changes.