trying to turn off Windows 10 Home updates

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I am a former applications programmer, so not an operating systems person.  However, I had figured out how to turn off the Windows 10 Home updates and would turn them back on periodically when I had the time to deal with fallout from them.  This was reinforced by tremendous problems when the April 2018 updates were installed — it took me until January 2019 to resolve them completely.  Recently, it seems that my methods aren’t working as well as before — at least two updates have slipped through with the latest being 2019-03 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1809 for x64-based Systems (KB4489899).

Currently, I have Windows Update in Component Services switched to “Disabled” — although when I checked on it after that last update, somehow it had been switched to Manual and was running.

I also have deleted tasks associated with Automatic App Update, Reboot, ScanForUpdates Scheduled Start with Network, Scheduled Start, and UpdateAssistant in the Task Scheduler.

What am I missing, such that I’ve gotten two updates lately?

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The only thing Home has built in is setting the Internet connection to Metered and using wushowhide.diagcab (download from Microsoft) to hide updates.

Another solution, pay the $100 for Win10 Pro upgrade – there are some controls there.

Another solution is third-party programs that stop Windows Update such as WuMgr and O&O Shutup 10

3 users thanked author for this post.

woody, BlueIris, Microfix

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I agree with @PKcano on O&O. @Microfix introduced me to O&OShutup, works as advertised. Also shuts off the majority of telemetry if you decide to do that.

In one huge way it’s better than sending M$ another $100 for the privilege of just delaying an update. With O&O you choose when and if Windows will update.

3 users thanked author for this post.

doriel, BlueIris, BoldDreamer87

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Since I was mad as heck after I posted that, I went searching.  In the Component Services, I found Windows 10 Update Facilitation Service and didn’t like its name.  I tried to Stop it and switch it to disabled, but it wouldn’t let me.  I then Googled it and found this:  https://www.askwoody.com/2018/watch-out-win10-update-facilitation-as-a-service-and-a-new-push-for-the-update-assistant/

I then Googled something like “how can I turn off Windows 10 Update Facilitation Service” and found:  https://www.wintips.org/how-to-turn-off-windows-10-updates-permanently/

I did that and it worked as described!  When I’m ready for updates, all I have to do is rename the file back.  I filed your O&O software suggestion because it also has some other nice features.  Thanks!

 

2 users thanked author for this post.

Bluetrix, Lars220

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all I have to do is rename the file back

A suggestion: Using the change name option may work well for your needs. Open Notepad and write what you changed and when you changed it. Name this Note whatever will spark your recollection for future reference. Stick it in your Documents folder.

The faintest ink is better than the best memory. (I stole that phrase)

2 users thanked author for this post.

wavy, BlueIris

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I keyed a reply, but forgot to log in, so it’s “awaiting moderation” and will appear as “Anonymous”.  🙂

1 user thanked author for this post.

Bluetrix

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I have pages and pages of documentation of how I set up each of my computers — I’m very picky about settings in Word, Excel, etc., how I want icons set up, etc.  So, yes, I added this to my documentation for that computer (my others are Windows 7).  I used to do documentation on the programs I worked on, so it’s almost second nature.  🙂

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Take ownership of update exe’s and deny access to all but admin. However Win10 will ignore this sometimes, had it happen, then destroy update orchestrar files in scheduler folder with taking ownership and delete.

Update with iso when new stable version released.

1 user thanked author for this post.

BlueIris

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I keyed a reply, but forgot to log in, so it’s “awaiting moderation” and will appear as “Anonymous”.  🙂

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Basically, that’s what the link in my 3/26 post did — I think it was winaueng? — and it did work as noted in the link.  The Windows Update did say something like invalid or whatever the link said it would.  So, I was thrilled! — for about 3 days.  Then it started up again.  At this point, I’ve simply been checking it every time I turn on the computer and about every other time or so, it’s on Manual and not Disabled and I switch it back to Disabled.  I did find another program that sounded promising — winupdmgr or something like that — and was going to try altering that one when I have time in a few weeks.  The problem is finding the programs because sometimes names don’t always reflect the program’s purpose.  Also, I like the sound of Bundaburra’s suggestion below and might try that.

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There’s a nifty little free Windows Update blocker (wub.exe) which can be used to disable or enable the Windows Update service.  The service can be disabled and protected from something else re-enabling it.  Can be invoked from an administrative command prompt, or via a batch file.  The commands are wub /E  to enable, and wub /D /P to disable and protect.  It works on Windows 10 Home.

Can also be used for other services.  Get it from https://www.sordum.org/9470/windows-update-blocker-v1-2/

 

Windows 10 Pro 64 bit 20H2

2 users thanked author for this post.

wavy, BlueIris

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Ooooh!  I like the sound of that — simple, easy, and free!  I just might give that a try in a couple of weeks when I have time.

As I detailed in my response to Anonymous above (but forgot to sign in first, so it will appear as Anonymous as well), what I detailed in my 3/26 post only worked for a short while, so I’m just constantly checking to see if it’s been turned on or not and switching it to Disabled if it’s on.

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[BlueIris]

OK, it’s been WAY more than a few weeks before I got around to trying your referenced Windows Update blocker (wub.exe) — had a few other things to attend to in the meantime.  However, I did finally get to it.  I THINK it’s working.  I’m not sure since there’s no Update History to speak of — it’s totally blank, but I installed it about 7/15/19 and Windows Update reports that there’s been no updates since 7/13/19; also, the Windows Update and Windows Update Medic Service both are listed as “Disabled”, although Windows Update Medic Service is listed as “Running” strangely, even though it’s “Disabled”.

It was very easy to download and install.  I just found the menu slightly confusing — my brain kept thinking that “Enabled” meant that the BLOCKER was enabled, not that the Windows Update process was enabled.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by BlueIris.

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… the Windows Update and Windows Update Medic Service both are listed as “Disabled”, although Windows Update Medic Service is listed as “Running” strangely, even though it’s “Disabled”.

It is possible that a service can have a Status listed as ‘Running’, even though the Startup Type is set to ‘Disabled’.  This could happen if the service is already in a ‘Running’ state at the point where a user or a program (e.g., wub.exe) comes along and sets it to ‘Disabled’.

My advice would be to manually stop the Windows Update Medic service.  Then wait and see if it ever starts up again.  I’m thinking that as long as the Startup Type is set to ‘Disabled’ then you should never find the service in a ‘Running’ state again.

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Thanks for your reply!  I don’t know if it was running when the program disabled it.  That service won’t let me stop it.  I  check it periodically and (somehow) it simply seems to say Running even when it says Disabled.  Updates don’t seem to happen, though, so the Windows Update blocker DOES seem to work.  Great!!!

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BlueIris wrote:

Ooooh! I like the sound of that — simple, easy, and free! I just might give that a try in a couple of weeks when I have time.

As I detailed in my response to Anonymous above (but forgot to sign in first, so it will appear as Anonymous as well), what I detailed in my 3/26 post only worked for a short while, so I’m just constantly checking to see if it’s been turned on or not and switching it to Disabled if it’s on.

Look for Sledgehammer (formerly WUMT Wrapper Script) at https://www.ghacks.net/2019/04/28/control-windows-updates-with-sledgehammer-formerly-wumt-wrapper-script/

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