Disable or Change AutoUpdates in Windows 10

Mindwatering Incorporated

Author: Tripp W Black

Created: 08/27/2021 at 12:34 PM

 

Category:
General PC Maintenance
Windows

Issue:
Default is to let Windows manage it.


Solution for "Pro" and "Enterprise" Editions:
We can use the GPO (Group Policy Editor) to disable it, and put at least the control of when back in the user's hand.

1. Start --> Type to search bar --> gpedit.msc

2. Browse on the left menu sidebar:
Local Computer Policy --> Computer Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> Windows Components --> Windows Update

- On the right, locate:
a. Configure Automatic Updates, double-click to open.
Not Configured indicates that MS controls all.
Disabled indicates automatic updates component is disabled.
Enabled indicates that we are allowing ourselves to control when we want to update.

- Choose Disabled to keep your system at its current software point.
- Choose Enabled, and underneath the Options field below, select a number between 2 and 5. Yes, MS removed option #1. Make your selection from what you are given. (You can choose any color, as long as the color is black. )
The only option that keeps software from auto downloading is option 2: Notify for download and auto install.

3. The default is to download updates from anywhere, yes, even other MS Windows 10 workstations across the Internet. That violates our security compliance.
Start -- In the Find a Setting box, enter Windows Updates Settings, from the dropdown, choose Advanced Settings.

Change Allow download from other PCs, to Off.

Note:
As of 8/2021, the Find a Setting box, changes to Advanced Windows Update Options --> (scroll down) Delivery Optimization.



4. Browse on the left menu sidebar:
Local Computer Policy --> Computer Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> Windows Components --> Search
Allow search highlights - Disasbled
Allow search and Cortana to use location - Disasbled
Do not allow web search - Enabled


Remove Search Bar Trending Suggestions:
1. Start --> Type to search bar --> regedit.msc
--> yes to allow modification dialog
2. Navigate:
For just this user:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

For everyone on the machine (which is what we choose)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
- right click Windows folder, click New --> click Key
- - Name to Explorer
- right click Explorer folder, click New --> click DWORD (32-bit) Value
- - Name to DisableSearchBoxSuggestions
- - Double click to open and change hex value from 0 to 1.
3. Close regedit.

4. Restart OS.



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