How can I prevent automatic updates?

I'm a trucker and have no regular hours. I might need the computer any time, day or night. Automatic updates are insufferable.

Sometimes I need something from the computer immediately and the automatic updates take over for a half hour at least. In all previous versions of windows it was easy to disable automatic updates.

Is there a way to disable automatic updates in Windows 10?

Welcome to TenForums!

The easiest way to stop Windows downloading and installing updates automatically is to set your internet connection as a Metered Connection. Windows will still check for updates automatically, but won't download them until you click a 'Download' button. It's easy to set a WiFi connection as metered.
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/...dows-10-a.html

For Ethernet there's no option in Settings, but you can set it to Metered Connection in the registry.
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/...dows-10-a.html

As a trucker on the move, how do you connect to the internet? A 3G/4G dongle? These should be 'metered connection' by default. Apparently a few dongles seem to come with drivers that make them appear to Windows as Ethernet connections, if so the second tutorial should help.

If you move from one WiFi hotspot to the next, each one has to be individually set as 'metered' as the default for WiFi is 'not metered'. That default could be changed in the registry, same way as for Ethernet.

Bree said:

Welcome to TenForums!
If you move from one WiFi hotspot to the next, each one has to be individually set as 'metered' as the default for WiFi is 'not metered'. That default could be changed in the registry, same way as for Ethernet.

You must be vigilant about setting this to metered as soon as you connect to EVERY network!!

Thanks for the reply and the welcome, Bree.

I'm using what I presume is now ancient technology. I have a Verizon USB 727 modem for my laptop. I want to keep it because I have unlimited data usage, which is no longer available. If I want to go modern I have to give up my unlimited plan.

I rarely use WiFi. The only time I use it is when I buy a new computer (too often for my liking) and need to download the Verizon Access Manager. Once that is downloaded I can use the USB 727.

I may have found a method that will work. I'll have to wait and see. I entered "services.msc" and disabled updates completely, which means that I won't get any updates at all until I go back in and change that.

I'd rather not have the updates than put up with the exasperation that comes with Windows kidnapping my computer for a half hour or more just when I need it most.

I'm glad I found this forum.

Thanks again.

SonicBlue said:

You must be vigilant about setting this to metered as soon as you connect to EVERY network!!

Thanks, SonicBlue. The Verizon modem gets me on the internet almost everywhere in the USA. Some areas are weak and some strong, but it works almost everywhere. I can't depend on WiFi. Too many times I'm in a place where there is no WiFi.

It doesn't look like I can set my Verizon connection as metered. Looks like that can only be done with WiFi.

What version of Windows are you on?

SonicBlue said:

What version of Windows are you on?

Windows 10.

Barman58 said:

Have a look at this Tutorial. It does not delay updates for long but should at least allow you to prevent them for up to 12 Hours ( start and end are variable to suit your needs ), it is due to be extended to 18 hours to help us true geeks in the next major upgrade

Windows Update Active Hours - Enable or Disable in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Tutorials

Thanx_will check it out_