All versions of Windows have an important function - updating. Like most programs, Microsoft uses this opportunity to make timely changes to the system, improve its operation or eliminate vulnerabilities.
Despite the presence of positive aspects in this function, for most users it is unnecessary or simply interferes more than it brings benefits. Many active PC users experience difficulties with updates and prefer to disable them.
Reasons and methods for disabling
The main reasons for disabling updates in Windows 7 are:
- Microsoft refused to update Windows 7, that is, updates will not be released, except for critical ones, if vulnerabilities are discovered;
- During the update, the computer experiences a heavy load, since installing files requires resources;
- The Internet channel is heavily loaded, that is, during downloading, the speed is significantly limited and comfortable surfing is difficult;
- You cannot turn off your computer while installing or downloading updates;
- If you are using pirated Windows, you may encounter problems as new ways to combat piracy are gradually released;
- Limited traffic.
The probable reasons do not end there, but they are enough for clarity.
There are 4 ways to disable automatic updates in Windows 7:
- Using the Update Center;
- Through services;
- Using the console;
- Through a firewall.
Most of the features are standard, but a workaround (last option) can also be used.
Using the Update Center
In Windows 7, there is a special tool that is responsible for the entire update system. It is thanks to him that there will be no difficulties in how to disable the Windows 7 update. To use it you should:
- Click Start and Control Panel;
- Click on the “Windows Update” tile;
- Go to the “Settings” section;
- Select "Don't check for updates."
In addition to radically disabling a function, there are transitional positions when you can influence the installation of software. This is how the check occurs and, if something new appears, the user makes decisions. It is also advisable to remove all checkboxes under the main menu.
How to disable Windows 7 Update via Services?
A special module, that is, a service, is responsible for the update procedure. It is an invisible part of the previous method. The service can also be disabled; the result will be similar, only it is performed without a graphical interface.
- PKM for “Computer”;
- Click on “Management”;
- Expand the “Services and Applications” category, then select the appropriate section;
- At the end of the list, find “Windows Update” and double click;
- “Startup type” - “Disabled” and “Stop”.
Here you can also either disable Windows 7 updating permanently or set the startup initiation to “Manual”. That is, the user will independently carry out updates at a certain frequency.
Disconnect using the console
The console always comes to the rescue in difficult situations and it is capable of changing some parameters that are located deep in the system with a short command. Therefore, it is impossible to consider the topic of how to disable the Windows 7 update service without mentioning the command line.
To disable the service you must:
- Press Win + R and paste cmd;
- Enter the command sc config wuauserv start=disabled;
If you want to change the startup type to manual mode, then replace the last word with demand. All the methods above work on the same principle, only the method of changing the parameters differs. There is also an alternative option.
Blocking updates through a firewall
The firewall itself allows you to control the traffic leaving your computer, so it can be filtered. It is this function that is important for us. Instead of simply disabling updates, you can install some kind of stub. All requests for a specific domain will be redirected to a local address, that is, to nowhere. The service, without receiving a positive response about the availability of data on the server, will think that everything is fine with the system.
The easiest way to install the plug is:
- Follow to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc;
- RMB on hosts and open with a text editor;
- Place the entry “127.0.0.1 https://*.update.microsoft.com” at the end of the list.
Also, if it doesn’t work, add “127.0.0.1 microsoft.com”, but then even in a browser you will not be able to access the corporation’s website. This method also works for most programs that require access to the network; to block them, simply change the domain to the required one.
You should understand that by disabling updates you are deliberately putting your computer at risk, since antivirus signatures, system settings and Windows stability are out of date. It is still better to manually perform at least critical updates.
First, we recommend disabling the update center using standard methods, but another way is also available. After completing the procedure, you remain the full owner of the system and no background tasks will load Windows.
How to disable automatic updates in Windows 7? Updating the operating system does not always bring positive results. It also happens that after installing the newest update, problems with the video card or sound begin. In this case, it is better to wait until the new update has been fully tested on other machines, and only then decide whether you need it or not. In such cases, it is better to disable automatic updates. No matter how smart the computer is, the decisions should remain yours.
We have already looked at how. But after this video, many proposals were received to show how to do the same in Windows 7. Many do not trust the new operating system and prefer to stay on seven or eight.
And although my main system is the much-talked-about ten, sometimes I boot into both seven and eight. Fortunately, they are all present on my computer on separate disks. To be fair, I want to say that in the seven everything works much better. Even the sound is recorded better than in Windows 10.
And although Windows 7 has long established itself as a stable system, sometimes there are unexpected surprises in it. This often happens after updates. It is no secret that many people have unlicensed systems, so it is better to disable automatic updates.
In order to disable automatic updates in Windows 7, you need to open the menu Start, and go to Control Panel.
In the window Control panels click on the link System and safety.
On the next page find the block Update CenterWindows and click on the link Turn automatic updates on or off.
In the block Important updates click on the small black triangle in the window on the right and select the entry Don't check for updates (not recommended)). Below, uncheck all the boxes next to the entries. Get recommended updates the same way, as well as important updates and Allow all users to install updates on this computer, and be sure to save your settings by clicking on the button OK.
Updates to the Windows 7 operating system, and indeed, do not always have a positive attitude. On the one hand, they are designed to correct found defects and improve the operation of the OS, on the other hand, a blue screen when the system boots, a black screen without icons on the desktop are frequent companions after unsuccessful installation of system updates.
In this article you will learn how to completely disable system updates in Windows 7 and thereby protect yourself from the problems described above.
How to disable Windows 7 updates?
This procedure consists of two stages.
The first is to disable the update center, or rather, disable it to check for updates and prohibit their installation.
The second stage is to disable the service responsible for checking and installing Windows 7 updates, as well as disabling its automatic startup.
How to disable Windows 7 Update?
To do this, go to “ Control Panel" and select " Windows Update«.
Update Center in Windows 7 Control Panel
Update options
Now under the line “Important updates” select “ Don't check for updates (not recommended)".
Disabling Windows 7 Update
Also just below unchecks two checkboxes.
That's it. Windows 7 Update is disabled.
Disabling the update service
To do this, go to “ Computer management". This can be done by right-clicking on the “ Computer"on the desktop and in the menu that opens you need to select " Control«.
Go to computer management
A window will open in which you need to open the item “ Services and applications" and select there " Services«.
Services in Windows 7
A window will open that lists all the active and inactive services of your operating system. Each of them is responsible for one or another function.
Scroll the window to the very bottom and find there a service with the name “ Windows Update«.
Prevent automatic start of the update service
Double-click on it with the left mouse button and in the window that opens, in the field “ Startup type» select « Disabled", and also press the button " Stop" a little lower.
Click " OK" to close the window and apply the changes.
With these actions, you stop the service responsible for updating Windows and prevent it from starting automatically when the system boots.
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By default, Windows 7 has the option to automatically download and install updates enabled. The operating system downloads update packages from the Microsoft server every time you connect your computer to the Internet. In theory, automatic updates are useful, as they are designed to patch up system “holes,” modify files, and optimize Windows performance, but in practice, there are a number of reasons why you should disable Windows updates. Let's look at the main reasons:
- There have been cases when, due to updates or critical errors during their installation, failures occurred that led to Windows not working;
- Over time, there are more and more installed update packages, and there is less and less free space on the system disk, which can lead to disruptions in Windows operation if the size of the C drive is small;
- While downloading updates, Internet speed may drop significantly (especially noticeable for users with small Internet channels); also, for some users, updates may hit their pockets (if the Internet is limited or a package with payment for traffic is connected);
- Many people are annoyed that during the installation of updates they cannot turn off the computer and sometimes have to wait quite a long time for the process to complete;
- Using a pirated version of Windows may limit the functionality of your operating system when trying to download updates;
- There is a whole list of less significant reasons that I will not consider in this article.
Let's move directly to ways to disable Windows 7 updates.
How to disable Windows 7 update completely
To completely disable Windows 7 updates, you need to get into Windows Services Management. To do this, click Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services, or Start -> Control Panel -> System and Security -> Administrative Tools -> Services.
Use your mouse wheel to scroll to the bottom of the list and open the Windows Update service. In the window that opens, select the startup type “Disabled”, then click the “Stop” button and only then the “Apply” button.
You can close all open windows. Windows 7 update is now completely disabled. If necessary, the update can be enabled in the same way.
How to disable automatic updates in Windows 7
If you don't want to completely disable updates, you can disable only Windows 7 automatic updates. You will still have the option to download updates manually. To do this, go to Start -> Control Panel -> Windows Update, or Start -> Control Panel -> System and Security -> Windows Update. Click "Settings" in the left menu.
In the window that opens, select “Do not check for updates (not recommended)”; it is also advisable to uncheck the boxes below. Click "OK" at the bottom of the window to confirm the changes.
Windows 7 automatic updates are now disabled. To manually download updates, you can go to Windows Update at any time and click the "Check for updates" button.
Timely updating of the system is designed to maintain its relevance and security from intruders. But for various reasons, some users want to disable this feature. In the short term, indeed, sometimes this is justified if, for example, you perform certain manual PC settings. In this case, sometimes it is necessary not only to disable the ability to update, but also to completely deactivate the service that is responsible for it. Let's find out how to solve this problem in Windows 7.
The name of the service, which is responsible for installing updates (both automatic and manual), speaks for itself - "Windows Update". Its deactivation can be done using both conventional and non-standard methods. Let's talk about each of them separately.
Method 1: "Service Manager"
The most commonly used and reliable way to disable "Windows Update" is the use "Service Manager".
- Click "Start" and go to "Control Panel".
- Click "System and Security".
- Next, select the name of the large section "Administration".
- In the list of tools that will appear in a new window, click "Services".
There is also a faster option to go to "Service Manager", although it requires memorizing one command. To call up a tool "Run" dial Win+R. In the utility field, enter:
Click "OK".
- Any of the above paths will open a window "Service Manager". It contains a list. In this list you need to find the name "Windows Update". To simplify the task, build it in alphabetical order by clicking "Name". Status "Works" in the column "State" means the fact that the service is running.
- To disable "Update Center", highlight the name of this element, and then click "Stop" in the left area of the window.
- The shutdown process is in progress.
- The service has now stopped. This is evidenced by the disappearance of the inscription "Works" in the field "State". But if in the column "Startup type" value set "Automatically", That "Update Center" will be launched the next time you turn on the computer, and this is not always acceptable for the user who shutdown.
- To prevent this, you should change the status in the column "Startup type". Right-click on the element name (RMB). Choose "Properties".
- By going to the properties window, being in the tab "General", click on the field "Startup type".
- Select a value from the drop-down list "Manually" or "Disabled". In the first case, the service is not activated after restarting the computer. To enable it, you will need to use one of the many manual activation methods. In the second case, it can be activated only after the user again changes the launch type in the properties from "Disabled" on "Manually" or "Automatically". Therefore, it is the second shutdown option that is more reliable.
- After the choice is made, press the buttons sequentially "Apply" And "OK".
- Returning to the window "Dispatcher". As you can see, the element status "Update Center" in the column "Startup type" has been changed. Now the service will not start even after rebooting the PC.
How to activate again if necessary "Update Center", described in a separate lesson.
Method 2: "Command Line"
You can also solve the problem by entering a command in "Command line" running as an administrator.
But it is worth remembering that this method of stopping, unlike the previous one, deactivates the service only until the next restart of the computer. If you need to stop it for a longer time, you will have to repeat the operation after "Command line", but it’s better to use it right away Method 1.
Method 3: "Task Manager"
You can also stop the update service using "Task Manager".
Method 4: "System Configuration"
The next method to solve the problem is through a window "System Configurations".
- Go to window "System Configurations" you can from the section "Administration" "Control Panels". How to get to this section was discussed in the description Method 1. So, in the window "Administration" click "System Configuration".
You can also run this tool from under a window "Run". Call "Run" (Win+R). Enter:
Click "OK".
- Shell "System Configurations" launched. Move to section "Services".
- In the section that opens, find the element "Windows Update". To do this faster, build the list alphabetically by clicking "Service". Once the item is found, uncheck the box to the left of it. Then click "Apply" And "OK".
- A window will open "System Setup". It will ask you to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. If you want to do this immediately, then close all documents and programs, and then click "Reboot".
Otherwise, press "Exit without reboot". Then the changes will take effect only after you turn on the PC manually again.
- After restarting the computer, the update service should be disabled.
As you can see, there are quite a few ways to deactivate the update service. If you need to disconnect only for the period of the current PC session, then you can use any of the options described above, which you consider the most convenient. If you need to shutdown for a long time, which involves at least one reboot of the computer, then in this case, in order to avoid the need to perform the procedure several times, it would be optimal to shutdown after "Service Manager" with changing the launch type in the properties.