How to Enable or Disable Check for Windows Updates in Windows 10

   Information

Microsoft has made it easier for Windows Update to keep Windows 10 updated by automatically downloading and installing the latest features and improvements, drivers, and hotfixes released by Microsoft—and with fewer interruptions and restarts when you're using your PC the most. The latest updates will automatically download and install when they’re available. (Unless you’re on a metered connection, then updates won’t download until you manually check for updates.)

Microsoft releases important updates every second Tuesday once a month, known as Patch Tuesday. However, updates could be released at any time.

Windows 10 will automatically check for new Windows Updates at the time you have set in automatic maintenance.

You can select to also receive updates for other Microsoft products like Office in Windows Update.

Occasionally, your PC may need to restart to finish installing the updates. You can set active hours to let Windows know when you're usually using your PC to help prevent inconvenient restarts. When a restart is scheduled, you can use a custom restart time to temporarily override active hours and schedule a custom time to finish installing the current update(s).

See also: Update Windows 10 in the enterprise (Windows 10)

Starting in Windows 10 Insider Preview build 14931, a new policy is available that allows you to remove access to scan Windows Update.

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable to manually check for updates in Windows Update for all users in Windows 10.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to enable or disable check for updates.

   Note

Disabling "Check for updates" will not affect Windows 10 from automatically downloading and installing updates.

CONTENTS:

• Option One: To Enable or Disable "Check for updates" in Windows Update using Group Policy
• Option Two: To Enable or Disable "Check for updates" in Windows Update using a REG file

EXAMPLE: Enabled and Disabled "Check for updates" in Windows Update

OPTION ONE

To Enable or Disable "Check for updates" in Windows Update using Group Policy

   Note

Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

All editions can use Option Two below.

1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor.

2. In the left pane of Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)

Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates/Windows Components/Windows Update

3. In the right pane of Windows Update in Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Remove access to use all Windows Update features policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4. Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you would like to do.

 5. To Enable "Check for updates" in Windows Update

A) Select (dot) Not Configured or Disabled. (see screenshot below)

NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.

B) When finished, you can close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.

C) Restart the computer.

D) The next time Windows automatically checks for updates, "Check for updates" will be enabled again. This usually happens within 24 hours.

 6. To Disable "Check for updates" in Windows Update

A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

B) When finished, you can close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.

C) Restart the computer.

D) Manually check for updates to apply.

OPTION TWO

To Enable or Disable "Check for updates" in Windows Update using a REG file

   Note

The .reg files below will add and modify the DWORD value in the registry key below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

SetDisableUXWUAccess DWORD

(delete) = Enable
1 = Disable

1. Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.

 2. To Enable "Check for updates" in Windows Update

NOTE: This is the default setting.

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Enable_Check_for_updates_in_Windows_Update.reg

Download

 3. To Disable "Check for updates" in Windows Update

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Disable_Check_for_updates_in_Windows_Update.reg

Download

4. Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7. Restart the computer.

8. If you disabled "Check for updates", then manually check for updates to apply.

9. If you enabled "Check for updates", then it will be enabled the next time Windows automatically checks for updates. This usually happens within 24 hours.

10. If you like, you can now delete the downloaded .reg file.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Check for and Install Windows Updates in Windows 10
• How to Enable or Disable Automatic Updates for Windows Update in Windows 10
• How to Create a Windows Update Shortcut in Windows 10
• How to View Windows Update History in Windows 10
• How to Defer Feature and Quality Updates in Windows 10
• How to Add Windows Update to Control Panel in Windows 10
• How to Turn On or Off Give Updates for Other Microsoft Products in Windows 10
• How to Schedule a Restart Time for Windows Update in Windows 10
• How to Add or Remove Windows Update Settings context menu in Windows 10
• How to Create a Check for updates in Windows Update shortcut in Windows 10
• How to Enable or Disable Pause Updates Feature in Windows 10

Windows 11 Tutorials