There is nothing more annoying and inconvenient than Windows updates, especially when they are downloaded in the background. But also, it is a problem when you want to turn off the computer to leave and these three words appear: “Update and shut down.” There is a mechanism that allows us to detention of the installation of the update of Windows and leave this process for another time.
The best option is usually to disable automatic updates for Windows. What this process prevents is their downloading in the background. You should know that it only blocks those that are not considered critical for security reasons.
Stop the update service
The possibility of arrest the service process Windows Update starts. This service is used to detect, download and install operating system updates. Once disabled, it will no longer download non-critical updates. We will have to download the rest of the updates manually.
To carry out this process in Windows 10 and 11, we must follow these steps:
- The first thing we must do is press the “Win + R” key combination, which will open the “Run” dialog box.
- Now we must enter the command “services.msc” and then press “Enter”.
- A window opens with all Windows services. You must be careful and avoid modifying anything improperly.
- We go to the end, where we will find the “Windows Update” service.
- We will have to right click on said service and we must click on “Stop”.
- The service will be stopped.
You have to know that you can reactivate this service whenever you want, as well as stop it as many times as you want.
Stop automatic maintenance in Windows
One of the most positive features of Windows is that most maintenance tasks happen at dawn. Microsoft has it configured this way to avoid disturbing the user. Theoretically, during the early hours of the morning we are less likely to be using our computer.
It usually occurs around 2 in the morning, carrying out Security analysis, application and system updates, as well as disk defragmentation. You should know, therefore, that automatic maintenance carries out the process of downloading and installing updates. Therefore, stopping automatic maintenance stops the download and installation process of updates.
Pausing this process is quite simple and can be done by following these steps:
- We must enter the term “Control Panel” in the Windows search engine.
- The next step is to enter the “System and security” option.
- We now have to enter the “Security and maintenance” part.
- The next thing we need to do is expand the “Maintenance” section.
- We will look for the “Automatic maintenance” option and the next step will be to click on “Stop maintenance”.
You have to know that stopping this process can only be done if it is happening at the time we access it. If the process has already finished, we will not be able to stop it. The other option is to set it at a time when it will not bother us, such as when we go to eat.
You should know that stopping Windows updates is bad practice. It is only recommended if we are aware that the update may cause problems. Something that is also interesting is to inform yourself in advance about possible problems when installing an update.