How to disable the update center. Disabling automatic updates in Windows

Timely updating of the system is designed to maintain its relevance and security from intruders. But for various reasons, some users want to disable this feature. In the short term, indeed, sometimes this is justified if, for example, you perform certain manual PC settings. In this case, sometimes it is necessary not only to disable the ability to update, but also to completely deactivate the service that is responsible for it. Let's find out how to solve this problem in Windows 7.

The name of the service, which is responsible for installing updates (both automatic and manual), speaks for itself - "Windows Update". Its deactivation can be done using both conventional and non-standard methods. Let's talk about each of them separately.

Method 1: "Service Manager"

The most commonly used and reliable way to disable "Windows Update" is the use "Service Manager".

Click "Start" and go to "Control Panel".

Click "System and safety".

Next, select the name of the large section "Administration".

In the list of tools that will appear in a new window, click "Services".

There is also a faster option to go to "Service Manager", although it requires memorizing one command. To call up a tool "Run" dial Win+R. In the utility field, enter:

Click "OK".

Any of the above paths will open a window "Service Manager". It contains a list. In this list you need to find the name "Windows Update". To simplify the task, build it in alphabetical order by clicking "Name". Status "Works" in the column "State" means the fact that the service is running.

To disable "Update centre", highlight the name of this element, and then click "Stop" in the left area of the window.

The shutdown process is in progress.

The service has now stopped. This is evidenced by the disappearance of the inscription "Works" in field "State". But if in the column "Startup type" value set "Automatically", That "Update centre" will be launched the next time you turn on the computer, and this is not always acceptable for the user who shutdown.

To prevent this, you should change the status in the column "Startup type". Right-click on the element name (RMB). Choose "Properties".

By going to the properties window, being in the tab "Are common", click on the field "Startup type".

Select a value from the drop-down list "Manually" or "Disabled". In the first case, the service is not activated after restarting the computer. To enable it, you will need to use one of the many manual activation methods. In the second case, it can be activated only after the user again changes the launch type in the properties from "Disabled" on "Manually" or "Automatically". Therefore, it is the second shutdown option that is more reliable.

After the choice is made, press the buttons sequentially "Apply" And "OK".

Returning to the window "Dispatcher". As you can see, the element status "Update Center" in a collumn "Startup type" it was changed. Now the service will not start even after rebooting the PC.

How to activate again if necessary "Update Center", described in a separate lesson.

Method 2: "Command Line"

You can also solve the problem by entering a command in "Command line" running as an administrator.

But it is worth remembering that this method of stopping, unlike the previous one, deactivates the service only until the next restart of the computer. If you need to stop it for a longer time, you will have to repeat the operation after "Command line", but it’s better to use it right away Method 1.

Method 3: "Task Manager"

You can also stop the update service using "Task Manager".

Method 4: "System Configuration"

The next method to solve the problem is through a window "System Configurations".

Go to window "System Configurations" you can from the section "Administration" "Control Panels". How to get to this section was discussed in the description Method 1. So, in the window "Administration" click "System configuration".

You can also run this tool from under a window "Run". Call "Run" (Win+R). Enter:

Click "OK".

Shell "System Configurations" launched. Move to section "Services".

In the section that opens, find the element "Windows Update". To do this faster, build the list alphabetically by clicking "Service". Once the item is found, uncheck the box to the left of it. Then click "Apply" And "OK".

A window will open "System Setup". It will ask you to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. If you want to do this immediately, then close all documents and programs, and then click "Reboot".

Otherwise, press "Exit without reboot". Then the changes will take effect only after you turn on the PC manually again.

After restarting the computer, the update service should be disabled.

As you can see, there are quite a few ways to deactivate the update service. If you need to disconnect only for the period of the current PC session, then you can use any of the options described above, which you consider the most convenient. If you need to shutdown for a long time, which involves at least one reboot of the computer, then in this case, in order to avoid the need to perform the procedure several times, it would be optimal to shutdown after "Service Manager" with changing the launch type in the properties.

Back in the Windows XP operating system, the developers introduced a special service that was responsible for periodic updates. They were automatically downloaded via the Internet from Microsoft servers to the user’s computer, and the system determined whether to install them at the user’s request or automatically. Let's look at why they are needed and how to disable Windows 7 updates.

What are they needed for

According to the creators of the system, fresh updates have a positive effect on the operation of its program code. They specifically work to improve and optimize the functioning of computer processes in the system. As a result, all efforts are designed to improve performance. The computer should become more responsive, and various bugs and errors should disappear. Updates often also provide new features:

diagnostic and troubleshooting tools are being improved;
modern peripheral equipment is supported;
new functions are added to the system;
Windows security patches and other useful features are added.

For those who have a licensed Windows system, installing such updates, as a rule, does not pose any threat.

But, based on the bitter experience of many computer owners, these updates are only needed if they are able to bring real benefit. But who among ordinary users will be able to determine in advance the usefulness of the improvements proposed by Microsoft? If a game or program is unstable on a given operating system, it will tell you exactly what updates are needed. But when the computer works reliably, stably and does not produce unexpected glitches, then what is the point of updating if it already works quickly. As admins joke: “if it works, don’t mess with it,” but it’s better to completely disable Windows 7 updates. Often they can cause a lot of problems. Why take the risk and see if you're lucky?

Why might you need to turn it off?

There are several reasons for the question of how to disable automatic updates in Windows 7:

The user has a pirated version of the operating system. And if you completely disable the update, the risk that the Microsoft server will issue a “red card” and limit the functionality of the operating system for using unlicensed Windows 7 is reduced to zero.
There are often cases when an updated system unexpectedly produces a critical error, which can only be corrected by a full restoration, and it is clearly too late to wonder how to disable auto-update in Windows 7.
The small size of the system disk, most often it is drive “C”. And since patch packages are very large, the free space instantly disappears. Therefore, it becomes imperative to disable automatic updates on your computer.
The need to wait for the computer to turn off after an update in Windows 7. Those who updated were faced with a situation where they needed to turn off the laptop, and a warning appeared on the monitor screen stating that this cannot be done, since “updates are being installed on Windows 7 1 of 1235 "! And the user must choose either an updated system or good sleep. Here you will inevitably think about how to prevent the system from updating.
If the Internet is limited in incoming and outgoing traffic. For such users, the question of how to disable automatic updates of Windows 7 is also relevant.
If the Internet channel has low speed, then it is better to disable this service in Windows 7 forever.

If at least one of the above reasons is relevant for your system, then it is better not to look for Windows 7 updates.

Well, now about how to disable updates. There are two ways. Let's look at each of them separately.

Disable completely

Before you turn off Windows 7 Update, must be found Management service. Let's consider the sequence of actions:

Once this service is completely disabled, the system will not be updated. But if you want to receive Windows 7 updates, if you carry out all the steps again, full functionality can be restored by changing the settings.

Disable only automatic update

If you want to reserve the right to download and install updates yourself manually, you can limit yourself to disabling automatic search.

Let's look at how to do this:

Now the system will search for updates, but will not install them automatically without the user’s permission. The computer owner can manually download updates from the Download Center at any time by clicking the button Check for updates.

Disable system notifications

After these steps, the system will not search for updates and install them automatically. But that is not all. Since this is a negative event for Windows 7, it will still remind you of this with a flag with a red cross in the right corner of the monitor.

Let’s turn off this reminder of the changes made:

Now the red cross has disappeared and the operating system does not display any reminders.

But nothing prevents you from updating manually if you want. All you have to do is start searching for Windows 7 updates again.

Conclusion

Concluding this short description of why you need to update the system and how to disable the update service, we would like to remind you that each user can install the update manually, as well as disable the update service completely or partially. We hope these short instructions will help you. They are quite simple, but will keep your computer working for a long time.

Video on the topic

Nothing foreshadowed trouble, when suddenly the computer starts to reboot, and the system insistently asks not to disconnect the device from the network, because Important Windows 7 updates are being installed.

Surely, at least once every PC user has encountered a similar problem, and after starting the system, the results of most programs were lost. Yes, this is exactly what happens, a sudden, forced update and we lose the data that we did not have time to save. Today we’ll talk about what to do to avoid this situation and take care of updating the system in advance or disable forced updates.

How to disable Windows Update 7

As a rule, the average PC user does not need these updates at all. They add minor changes to the system that most people are not aware of. Only sometimes, every six months, Microsoft introduces something really useful for ordinary users into the update, for example, on October 8, 2013, update KB2852386 was released, which adds the ability to clean updates stored in the winsxs folder. Usually such important innovations are written about in news feeds, groups, forums and portals, so if you are at least a little interested in this, then it will be difficult to miss such news. So how to disable automatic updates in Windows 7?

So, we decided to disable annoying updates. How to do this? To do this, you need to perform the following steps.

Go to the “Control Panel”;
Select “Windows Update”;
Next “Setting parameters”;
Set it to "Don't check for updates."

How to disable Windows 7 update service

The procedure does not end there. If you stop at this step, the updates will still be installed. Microsoft has made sure that you receive the latest software in a timely manner. To completely disable the update, you need to complete several more steps.

Open "Control Panel";
Go to the “Administration” section;
Launch "Services";
Select “Update Center”;
In the Startup Type section, check the Disabled box and then click Apply.

All versions of Windows have an important function - updating. Like most programs, Microsoft uses this opportunity to make timely changes to the system, improve its operation or eliminate vulnerabilities.

Despite the positive aspects of this feature, for most users it is unnecessary or simply gets in the way more than it brings benefits. Many active PC users experience difficulties with updates and prefer to disable them.

Reasons and methods for disabling

The main reasons for disabling updates in Windows 7 are:

Microsoft refused to update Windows 7, that is, updates will not be released, except for critical ones, if vulnerabilities are discovered;
During the update, the computer experiences a heavy load, since installing files requires resources;
The Internet channel is heavily loaded, that is, during downloading, the speed is significantly limited and comfortable surfing is difficult;
You cannot turn off your computer while installing or downloading updates;
If you are using pirated Windows, you may encounter problems as new ways to combat piracy are gradually released;
Limited traffic.

The probable reasons do not end there, but they are enough for clarity.

There are 4 ways to disable automatic updates in Windows 7:

Using the Update Center;
Through services;
Using the console;
Through a firewall.

Most of the features are standard, but a workaround (last option) can also be used.

Using the Update Center

In Windows 7, there is a special tool that is responsible for the entire update system. It is thanks to him that there will be no difficulties in how to disable the Windows 7 update. To use it you should:

Click Start and Control Panel;
Click on the “Windows Update” tile;

Go to the “Settings” section;
Select "Don't check for updates."

In addition to radically disabling a function, there are transitional positions when you can influence the installation of software. This is how the check occurs and, if something new appears, the user makes decisions. It is also advisable to remove all checkboxes under the main menu.

How to disable Windows 7 Update via Services?

A special module, that is, a service, is responsible for the update procedure. It is an invisible part of the previous method. The service can also be disabled; the result will be similar, only it is performed without a graphical interface.

PKM for “Computer”;
Click on “Management”;

Expand the “Services and Applications” category, then select the appropriate section;
At the end of the list, find “Windows Update” and double click;
“Startup type” - “Disabled” and “Stop”.

Here you can also disable the Windows 7 update permanently or set the startup initiation to “Manual”. That is, the user will independently carry out updates at a certain frequency.

Disconnect using the console

The console always comes to the rescue in difficult situations and it is capable of changing some parameters that are located deep in the system with a short command. Therefore, it is impossible to consider the topic of how to disable the Windows 7 update service without mentioning the command line.

To disable the service you must:

Press Win + R and paste cmd;
Enter the command sc config wuauserv start=disabled;

If you want to change the startup type to manual mode, then replace the last word with demand. All the methods above work on the same principle, only the method of changing the parameters differs. There is also an alternative option.

Blocking updates through a firewall

The firewall itself allows you to control the traffic leaving your computer, so it can be filtered. It is this function that is important for us. Instead of simply disabling updates, you can install some kind of stub. All requests for a specific domain will be redirected to a local address, that is, to nowhere. The service, without receiving a positive response about the availability of data on the server, will think that everything is fine with the system.

The easiest way to install the plug is:

Follow to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc;
RMB on hosts and open with a text editor;
Place the entry “127.0.0.1 https://*.update.microsoft.com” at the end of the list.

Also, if it doesn’t work, add “127.0.0.1 microsoft.com”, but then even in a browser you will not be able to access the corporation’s website. This method also works for most programs that require access to the network; to block them, simply change the domain to the required one.

You should understand that by disabling updates you are deliberately putting your computer at risk, since antivirus signatures, system settings and Windows stability are out of date. It is still better to manually perform at least critical updates.

First, we recommend disabling the update center using standard methods, but another way is also available. After completing the procedure, you remain the full owner of the system and no background tasks will load Windows.

If you still have questions on the topic “How to disable updates in Windows 7?”, you can ask them in the comments

Automatic updates are an important functional feature of any operating system. Thanks to it, the computer receives important updates on time, making the system more stable and secure. In Windows 7, the function is activated initially. This means that if there is a connection with Microsoft servers, the update service checks for the availability of fresh packages, downloads them and installs them. Usually, all processes proceed virtually unnoticed by the user, but when constant offers to upgrade to 10 appear, this is already overkill.

Theoretically, there is no need to disable automatic downloading of updates. It is useful because it closes security gaps, optimizes the operation of the OS, and adds new features to it (regarding the “tens”). There is also a list of reasons why the auto-update service should be disabled:

The user does not like that during the update the Internet speed drops and/or the PC cannot be turned off for a long time.
The computer has expensive or limited wireless Internet.
Problems after launching the updated OS.
Failures during the installation of update packages.
There is not enough space on the system volume to accommodate the increase in volume of Windows 7, which grows with each update.

Kinds

Still, before you disable the Windows 7 update, think about whether it is really necessary. In addition to deactivating the service, it can be switched to the following operating modes.

Fully automatic - operations proceed without user intervention, only notifying the latter that the installation of packages is complete.
Search and download the latest fixes on a schedule, and the installation of packages is carried out by the user.
Automatic checking and notifying the user about the availability of updates.
Self-update is disabled. Everything is done manually.

Options are selected in the Update Center component.

Disconnection methods

The settings of any Windows are stored in its registry. You can access the key responsible for the Update Center settings in several simple and a couple more complex ways. Let's look at them all.

Change Update Center settings

Let's start by setting up the service for ourselves. To access the configuration interface, you need to open the “Update Center” using one of the following methods.

System

Through the context menu of My Computer, call up its “Properties”.

In the left vertical menu, click on the corresponding link located at the bottom of the window.

Go to the “Control Panel”.
Open the “System, Security” section.

Call the element of the same name.

If control panel items are rendered as icons rather than categories, a link to the item will appear in the main window.

So, after getting into the desired window, click “Settings parameters”.

Move to the “Important updates” section and select the appropriate option from the drop-down list.

The only way to completely disable receiving updates on a computer with Windows 7 is to stop the service.

Disabling the service

Management of services in the “seven” occurs through:

direct editing of registry keys, which is very inconvenient;
third-party programs to configure the OS (skip this option);
MMC console snap-in;
system configuration;
command line;
Group Policy Editor (present in Windows 7 Ultimate, Enterprise).

Removing a service from autostart

The fastest way to disable updates is through the system configurator.

Execute “msconfig” in the command interpreter window, which will open after holding down the Win + R keys or clicking on the “Run” button in Start.

Go to the “Services” tab.
Find “Windows Update” (maybe Windows Update) and uncheck the box next to it.

Save the new settings.

Until the end of the current session, the service will work, properly performing the tasks assigned to it. To apply the new configuration, Windows 7 must be rebooted.

Let's use the MMC console snap-in

The system console snap-in of the same name provides access to managing all services on the PC. It starts like this.

Open the context menu of the “My Computer” directory.
Call the “Manage” command.

In the left vertical menu, expand the “Services and Applications” item. Next, click on the “Services” link.

A simpler option for calling the same window would be to run the “services.msc” command through the “Run” dialog.

Scroll to the very end of the list of services and open the “Properties” of the Windows Update service.

In the “Startup type” drop-down list, select “Disabled” instead of “Automatic” in order to say goodbye to automatic updates forever. If you need to disable the service now, be sure to click “Stop”. Save the new settings with the “Apply” button and close all windows.

The PC does not need to be rebooted to apply the settings.

Group Policy Editor

Another MMC snap-in called the Local Group Policy Editor will help you configure any system parameter.

It is not available in the home edition of the Seven!

The tool is launched by running the “gpedit.msc” command through the “Run” window.

In the “PC Configuration” subsection, expand the “Administrative Templates” branch.

Open “Windows Components” and look for Update Center.
On the right side of the window we find a parameter whose name begins with “Auto-update settings”.
Call up its settings.

Move the checkbox to the “Disable” position and click “OK” to close the window and save the changes.

Let's use the command line

Through the command line, all the same operations are performed as using the graphical interface, and even more, but in text mode. The main thing is to know their syntax and parameters.

The “cmd” command is responsible for calling the command line.