How to Stop Windows 11 Update Permanently (Safe Options)

Windows 11 updates can restart your PC at bad times, change features you rely on, or occasionally break a driver or app. Microsoft doesn’t offer a true “never update” switch, and blocking updates completely leaves you exposed to security threats. But you can take a lot of control: pause updates for weeks, block big feature upgrades while still getting security fixes, stop surprise restarts, and, if you really must, turn off automatic updates with Group Policy or the registry. This guide explains each option and its trade-offs.

Quick Answer

For a temporary stop, go to Settings > Windows Update and choose Pause for 5 weeks. For long-term control on Windows 11 Pro, use Group Policy (gpedit.msc) to set Configure Automatic Updates to Disabled, or use Select the target Feature Update version to stay on your current version while still getting security updates. On Home editions, the same settings can be applied through the registry.

Windows 11 Windows Update settings with the Pause updates dropdown open showing options up to Pause for 5 weeks — Pause updates (1) for up to 5 weeks (2). After the pause ends, Windows must install the latest updates before you can pause again.

Should You Stop Updates Permanently?

Security updates fix vulnerabilities that attackers actively exploit. A PC that never updates becomes easier to infect over time. The safer approach for most people is to delay updates and block feature upgrades, not to stop security patches forever. Use a permanent block only for special cases, like an offline machine or a PC running software that breaks with updates, and update manually on a schedule.

Option 1: Pause Updates (All Editions)

Open Settings > Windows Update.
Next to Pause updates, choose a period up to Pause for 5 weeks.

When the pause ends, Windows installs pending updates before you can pause again. Click Resume updates anytime to end the pause early.

Option 2: Stop Surprise Restarts (All Editions)

Active hours: Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Active hours. Set them to when you use the PC, and Windows won’t restart during that time.
Notify me when a restart is required: Turn it on in Advanced options to get a heads-up.
Turn off Get me up to date in Advanced options, which otherwise restarts as soon as possible.

Option 3: Metered Connection (All Editions)

Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) and click your network’s properties.
Turn on Metered connection.
In Windows Update > Advanced options, make sure Download updates over metered connections is off.

Windows then postpones most downloads, although critical security updates may still download.

Option 4: Stay on Your Current Windows 11 Version (Pro)

This blocks major yearly feature updates (for example, moving from 24H2 to a newer version) while still installing monthly security updates.

Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage updates offered from Windows Update.
Open Select the target Feature Update version, choose Enabled, type Windows 11 as the product, and enter your current version (check it with winver, for example 24H2).
Click OK.

Each version is supported for a limited time (typically 24 months for Home and Pro), so move to a newer version before yours reaches end of servicing.

Option 5: Turn Off Automatic Updates (Pro)

Open gpedit.msc.
Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage end user experience.
Open Configure Automatic Updates.
Choose Disabled to stop automatic updates, or choose Enabled and option 2 – Notify for download and auto install so Windows asks before downloading.
Click OK and restart.

You can still install updates manually by clicking Check for updates.

Option 6: Registry Method (Windows 11 Home)

Home doesn’t include the Group Policy Editor, but the same policies can be set in the registry. Back up the registry first (File > Export in Registry Editor).

Open regedit and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows.
Create a key named WindowsUpdate, and inside it a key named AU.
In AU, create a DWORD (32-bit) Value named NoAutoUpdate and set it to 1 (or create AUOptions set to 2 for notify-before-download).
To stay on a feature version instead, in the WindowsUpdate key create TargetReleaseVersion (DWORD) = 1, ProductVersion (String) = Windows 11, and TargetReleaseVersionInfo (String) = your version, such as 24H2.
Restart.

Delete these values to undo the changes.

What About Disabling the Windows Update Service?

Setting the Windows Update service to Disabled in services.msc is a common tip, but Windows has a separate Update Medic service that repairs and re-enables it, and disabling it can break the Microsoft Store and other features. The policy methods above are more reliable.

Block a Single Problem Update or Driver

Uninstall a bad update in Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates, then pause updates while Microsoft fixes it.
Stop driver updates through Windows Update with the Group Policy Do not include drivers with Windows Updates (under Manage updates offered from Windows Update).

Summary

Pause updates for up to 5 weeks in Settings.
Use active hours to prevent inconvenient restarts.
On Pro, target your current feature update version to block big upgrades but keep security fixes.
Disable automatic updates with Group Policy or the registry only if you’ll install updates manually.

Kermit Matthews

Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.

He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.

Read his full bio here.