Forum Discussion
Disable Windows Update in Windows 10 IoT Enterprise
I'm trying to disable the Windows Update service to stop it from running and downloading updates while our device is connected to the Internet. Our device is only connected on occasion and remains offline most of the time. I have tried multiple registry settings for the update service and related services, but as soon as it sees a connection they start back up.
I found some group policy settings to stop update from automatically downloading and installing them. Is that the only way to keep updates from happening?
Thanks,
Josh
4 Replies
- riteshdaveCopper Contributor
Disabling Windows Update in Windows 10 IoT Enterprise isn’t just about stopping the service—Windows can restart it automatically. You need a combined approach.
What actually works:
Group Policy (recommended)
Disable Configure Automatic Updates → this stops automatic downloads and installs
Disable Windows Update service + scheduled task
Stop wuauserv and disable related scheduled tasks to prevent restart
Registry policies
Set keys like NoAutoUpdate=1 and block update endpoints to enforce the restriction
Important note
Microsoft recommends controlling or disabling automatic updates via policy, not just killing the service, and ensuring you still have a manual update strategy for security
Practically, most setups use Group Policy + service + task disabling together for full control.
- SeanLimingCopper Contributor
- Disable the Windows Update service.
- Disable the scheduled task
- There are a number of registry keys that can be set to disable WU.
schtasks /Change /TN “\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\Scheduled Start” /Disable
schtasks /Delete /TN “\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\Scheduled Start” /F
reg.exe add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate /v ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg.exe add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate /v SetDisableUXWUAccess /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg.exe add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU /v NoAutoUpdate /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg.exe add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate /v DoNotConnectToWindowsUpdateInternetLocations /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg.exe add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate /v WUServer /t REG_SZ /d " " /f
reg.exe add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate /v WUStatusServer /t REG_SZ /d " " /f
reg.exe add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate /v UpdateServiceUrlAlternate /t REG_SZ /d " " /f
reg.exe add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU /v UseWUServer /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
Sc.exe stop wuauserv
>Sc.exe config wuauserv start= disabled
- jvkthejediCopper Contributor
press win key + r type services.msc and press enter scroll to windows update, right click, select properties and change startup type to disabled. click stop to end current service then apply changes.🤔
- JoachimKrone
Microsoft
Hi Josh, our IOT distribution partner Elbacom has developed a graphical solution which allows you to customize your IOT image to your specific needs. Embedded Configuration Manager - Elbacom GmbH