Stop Windows 10 Updates Permanently Via CMD

Oct 23, 2025 by Jhon Lennon 44 views

Hey everyone, let's dive into a topic that bugs a lot of us Windows users: those mandatory updates! We all know Windows 10 loves to push updates, and sometimes, they can be a real pain. Whether it's an update messing with your drivers, slowing down your PC, or just popping up at the worst possible moment, there are valid reasons why you might want to permanently stop Windows 10 updates. And guess what? You can actually do it using the Command Prompt (CMD). No more fiddling with settings that Microsoft keeps changing – this method is pretty solid. So, grab a cuppa, and let's get this done!

Understanding Windows Updates and Why You Might Want to Control Them

First off, why does Microsoft push updates so aggressively? Mostly, it's for security and stability. These updates often patch critical vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit, and they can also bring performance improvements and new features. It's a good system in theory, ensuring your computer is safe and running smoothly. However, we've all experienced the flip side, right? A seemingly harmless update can wreak havoc on your system. Maybe your favorite game starts lagging, your specialized hardware stops working because a driver got updated without your consent, or you simply don't have the time or bandwidth for a massive download right now. For folks running critical systems, like those in a professional studio or a server environment, unintended updates can lead to significant downtime and lost productivity. Controlling Windows 10 updates becomes less about avoiding security and more about maintaining a stable, predictable computing environment. You might also be on a limited data plan, and a surprise 2GB update could be a costly affair. Or perhaps you've found a configuration that works perfectly for your workflow, and you're worried an update will change it. Whatever your reason, having the power to permanently stop Windows 10 updates is a valuable skill for any power user. Let's explore how the Command Prompt can be your best friend in this quest.

Preparing Your System: What to Do Before Disabling Updates

Before we jump into the Command Prompt and start telling Windows to chill with the updates, there are a few crucial preparation steps you absolutely need to take, guys. Think of this as a safety net. Disabling updates permanently means you're foregoing the latest security patches and feature enhancements directly from Microsoft. While we're aiming for a permanent stop, it's wise to ensure your system is in good shape before you flip the switch. Firstly, back up your important data. Seriously, this is non-negotiable. Use an external hard drive, cloud storage, whatever works for you. If something unexpected happens during this process, or down the line when you've disabled updates, you won't be left high and dry. Secondly, create a system restore point. This is like a snapshot of your system at a specific time. If things go south after you disable updates, you can roll back your system to this point. To do this, just search for 'Create a restore point' in the Windows search bar, select your system drive (usually C:), and click 'Configure' then 'Turn on system protection' if it's off. Then click 'Create' and give it a descriptive name. Thirdly, manually check for and install any pending updates that you do want right now. If you're going to stop future updates, at least make sure your system is up-to-date with the patches you deem essential before you disable the service. This way, you're starting from a more secure baseline. Finally, download essential drivers directly from the manufacturer's website (e.g., graphics card drivers from NVIDIA/AMD, motherboard drivers from your motherboard manufacturer). Windows Update sometimes replaces these with generic versions or older ones that might cause issues. Having the latest official drivers on hand is a good idea. Taking these precautions ensures that even if you're disabling the automatic update mechanism, you're doing so from a stable and well-prepared state, minimizing potential risks.

The Command Prompt Method: A Step-by-Step Guide

Alright, buckle up, because this is where the magic happens! We're going to use the Command Prompt (CMD) to permanently stop Windows 10 updates. This method involves disabling the Windows Update service and then preventing it from restarting. It's a bit more robust than simply pausing updates through the settings menu. Make sure you've completed the preparation steps we just talked about – backup, restore point, and manual driver checks are key!

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator

This is the most critical first step. You need elevated privileges to make system-level changes.

Click the Start button (the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner).
Type cmd into the search bar.
Right-click on 'Command Prompt' in the search results.
Select 'Run as administrator'.
If a User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears, click 'Yes'.

Step 2: Stop the Windows Update Service

Now that we're in the administrator Command Prompt, we can issue commands to stop the update service.

Type the following command and press Enter:
```
net stop wuauserv
```
You should see a message confirming that the service has been stopped successfully. If not, double-check that you ran CMD as an administrator.

Step 3: Disable the Windows Update Service

Stopping the service is temporary; it will restart on its own eventually. We need to disable it.

Type the following command and press Enter:
```
sc config wuauserv start=disabled
```
This command configures the service to not start automatically. Again, you should see a success message.

Step 4: Stop the Cryptographic Services (Optional but Recommended)

Windows Update relies on other services, including Cryptographic Services, to function. Disabling this can add an extra layer of prevention.

Type the following command and press Enter:
```
net stop cryptsvc
```
Then, disable it:
```
sc config cryptsvc start=disabled
```

Step 5: Stop the Windows Installer (Optional but Recommended)

Similarly, Windows Installer is involved in the update process.

Type the following command and press Enter:
```
net stop msiserver
```
Then, disable it:
```
sc config msiserver start=disabled
```

Step 6: Rename the SoftwareDistribution Folder

This is a crucial step to prevent Windows from automatically recreating the service settings. By renaming this folder, you effectively 'reset' the update components.

First, stop the Bits service (Background Intelligent Transfer Service) as it can interfere:
```
net stop bits
sc config bits start=disabled
```
Now, navigate to the SoftwareDistribution folder. We'll do this via commands:
```
cd %systemroot%
ren SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
```
This moves the current update download folder, forcing Windows to create a new, empty one if it ever tries to restart the update service.

Step 7: Disable Services via Registry Editor (Advanced)

For an even more permanent solution, we can go into the Registry Editor. Be extremely careful here, guys. Messing up the registry can cause serious problems.

Type regedit in the Start menu search bar and press Enter. Run it as administrator.
Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
Right-click on the Windows key, select New > Key, and name it WindowsUpdate.
Right-click on the new WindowsUpdate key, select New > Key, and name it AU.
Now, right-click in the right-hand pane of the AU key, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Name this new value NoAutoUpdate.
Double-click NoAutoUpdate and set its Value data to 1. Click OK.
You might also want to set AUOptions to 2 (meaning