Permanently disable updates in Windows 10, Windows 11 and stop apps downloading in the background

If you notice that your computer is slow, it is likely that Windows is loading something in the background. The operating system often downloads the latest updates. If these downloads slow down your PC and prevent you from working normally, read our guide to find out how to disable them.

Most OS work is done in the background. Windows requires an Internet connection to download the latest operating system and security center updates. Sometimes a computer takes full advantage of network resources to download something without prompting the user.

If you are also concerned about strange background processes that load the network, we recommend using different methods.

How do I know if Windows is downloading something in the background?

Using Task Manager

1. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
2. On the Processes tab, select the Network column. There you will see all the processes using the internet connection.
3. Find the program that uses the most bandwidth.
4. To stop the download, select the process and click End Task.

However, ending the process from the Task Manager is a temporary solution.

Using Resource Monitor

1. Press the “Win + R” key combination to open the “Run” box.
2. Type “resmon” and click OK to open the Resource Monitor.
3. In the Resource Monitor window, click the Network tab.
4. Expand the Network Activity tab.

As you can see in the screenshot, Steam is the most resource intensive process. In the same way, you can find any process to the maximum using the Internet connection.

How do I know if Windows is downloading updates?

1. Open Task Manager and select the Processes tab.
2. Click the “Network” column and sort processes by network usage.
3. If Windows Update is running, you will see the “Host Services: Delivery Optimization” process.
4. The Delivery Optimization process is associated with Update and only runs when Windows downloads or installs updates.
5. You can stop the process by selecting Delivery Optimization and clicking the End Task button.

How to disable Windows 10/11 updates using the Registry Editor

It is possible to modify the registry to completely stop updates on your computer. Follow the step-by-step instructions.

1. Type “registry” in the search box and open “Registry Editor”.
2. Copy the path “Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows” without quotes, paste it into the registry address bar and press Enter.
3. Right-click the Windows folder, select New from the list, and then select Partition.
4. Name the new section “WindowsUpdate”.
5. Right click on the “Windows Update” folder, select “New”, “Partition”.
6. Name the new section “AU”;
7. In the “AU” section, click “New” and select “DWORD (32-bit) Value”.
8. Name it “NoAutoUpdate”.
9. Double-click NoAutoUpdate, change the data value to 1, and click OK.
10. Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC.

Now the Windows update on your computer has completely stopped.

How to permanently disable Windows 10/11 updates using the Group Policy Editor

An alternative option that allows you to permanently disable updates for Windows 10 and Windows 11. Follow the instructions steps.

1. Press the Windows key and use the search bar to open the Edit Group Policy menu. The Group Policy Editor is only available to Windows Pro and Enterprise users.
2. Under the “Computer Configuration” tab on the left, open the “Administrative Templates” section, then “Windows Components”, scroll down and find “Windows Update”.
3. Select the User Interface Management section.
4. Open the “Configure automatic updates” item on the right.
5. In the top left corner, select the “Disabled” option, click the “Apply” and “OK” buttons.

So you have disabled automatic Windows updates.

A quick way to disable Windows 11 updates over a metered connection

If the previous methods repel you with their complexity, this method is for you.

1. Open Windows Settings by pressing the Win+I hotkey.
2. Go to the “Network and Internet” section.
3. In the Ethernet menu, toggle the “Limited Connection” option to the “On” position.
4. In the Settings menu, go to the “Windows Update” section and open “Advanced options”.
5. Uncheck the “Download updates over metered connections” option.

However, the PC will still receive security updates for Windows Defender.

Disable updates for Windows 10 and Windows 11 through the update service

1. You can also cancel Windows updates by disabling the Windows Update service.
2. Press the key combination “Win + R”, type “services.msc” in the field and click “OK”.
3. In the “Services” section, find the “Windows Update” line and double-click with the left mouse button.
4. The Windows Update Properties page opens. Change the Startup type to Disabled and click Stop.
5. After that, click OK and restart your computer to disable automatic Windows updates.