How To: Permanently Turn Off Windows 10 Updates (Pro & Home Versions)

Turning off Windows Updates permanently isn’t difficult. All you need to do is this:

In the Windows search box, type services.msc.

From the list shown, locate and select Windows Update.

Double-click the entry to open the Windows Update properties. From the Startup type drop-down menu, select Disabled.

Click Apply, then OK, and you’re done.

If you prefer visual guidance, the screenshots below walk through the same steps.

It’s important to understand that disabling Windows Updates means your system will no longer receive security patches, driver updates, or operating system fixes. Anyone choosing to disable updates permanently should do so with a clear understanding of the risks involved, particularly if the system is connected to the internet or used for general-purpose computing.

In practice, many users disable updates to maintain system stability for a specific workflow, such as industrial software, duplication systems, lab environments, or legacy hardware that breaks with newer Windows builds. In these cases, predictability is often more important than new features.

From our observations, Microsoft Version 2004 (Build 19041.572) has been especially problematic for USB flash drives. We’ve encountered disk signature conflicts and partition-handling issues that did not appear in earlier versions. Several USB utilities perform far more reliably under Windows 1903 and earlier, suggesting a significant change occurred in Version 2004.

In any event, we hope this guide on permanently disabling Windows Updates for Home and Professional editions helps you maintain a stable and predictable Windows environment.