Windows 11 updates are essential for security and performance, but there may be times when you need to pause or disable them temporarily. Whether you’re working on a critical project or want to avoid interruptions, this guide will walk you through the steps to pause or disable updates on Windows 11.
Requirements
- A Windows 11 PC with administrative privileges
- Basic knowledge of navigating Windows settings
- An active internet connection (for initial setup)
Instructions
How to Pause Windows 11 Updates
1. Open the Settings app by pressing Win + I on your keyboard.
2. Navigate to Windows Update from the left-hand menu.
3. Click on Pause updates under the More options section.
4. Choose the duration for pausing updates (up to 5 weeks).
5. Once paused, updates will be temporarily halted until the selected period ends.
How to Disable Windows 11 Updates
1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box, then type services.msc and press Enter.
2. In the Services window, scroll down and locate Windows Update.
3. Right-click on Windows Update and select Properties.
4. In the Properties window, change the Startup type to Disabled.
5. Click Apply and then OK to save the changes.
6. Restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.
Troubleshooting
- Issue: Updates resume automatically after pausing.
Solution: Double-check the pause duration in the Windows Update settings. If the issue persists, consider disabling updates entirely using the Services method. - Issue: Unable to disable Windows Update in Services.
Solution: Ensure you have administrative privileges. If the option is grayed out, try running the Services window as an administrator. - Issue: System becomes unstable after disabling updates.
Solution: Re-enable Windows Update temporarily to install critical updates, then disable it again if necessary.