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Proker's avatar
Proker
Tin Contributor
Aug 30, 2026

How to get rid of Windows update on Windows 11 permanently?

I've been trying to find a way to stop Windows 11 automatic updates, but nothing seems to stick. It only paused for a few weeks before it resumes on its own, and other methods I've tried eventually get reset too. Updates keep landing at bad times and have caused driver issues and crashes for me before, so I'd really like a way to get rid of Windows 11 update permanently instead of just delaying it.

Has anyone found a method that's actually permanent and survives future updates, rather than getting silently reverted? 

7 Replies

  • Windows Update Blocker is an open-source tool that eliminates the need to navigate complex settings. It offers a convenient way to get rid of Windows 11 update permanently and provides intuitive control over the service through a lightweight graphical interface.

    How to Get Rid of the Windows 11 Update Permanently

    Step 1: Download the software from GitHub and install it.

    Step 2: Open the application—no installation is required.

    Step 3: Click Disable Service.

    Step 4: Click Apply to immediately block updates.

    Finally, to re-enable updates later, click Enable Service, then click Apply.

    The software is ad-free, has no restrictions, and is easy to use, making it ideal for users who lack technical knowledge but need to permanently block Windows 11 updates. However, after a major system update, Windows may re-enable this service, at which point you’ll need to reapply the blocking settings.

    Pros:

    • Open-source with a clean interface
    • One-click disable/enable
    • Portable executable file

    Cons:

    • Windows re-enables the service after updates
    • Blocking settings need to be reapplied periodically
    • Antivirus software may flag the tool as suspicious
  • Delikell's avatar
    Delikell
    Iron Contributor

    Wu10Man is an open-source tool that gives you complete control over Windows update settings. Unlike Windows’ built-in options, which only allow you to temporarily pause updates, this software can completely disable updates, block driver updates, and set your network connection to “metered” to prevent automatic downloads. Compared to other update-toggling tools, it offers greater flexibility, making it a practical choice for users frustrated by forced reboots or unwanted feature updates. For any user hoping get rid of Windows 11 update permanently, the tool offers a comprehensive set of options to put you back in control.

    How to Use the Software

    1. First, download the software from the official website as a portable executable file that runs without installation.
    2. Open the application and go to the Updates tab, where you’ll find all the main control options.
    3. Simply click “Disable Windows Updates” to completely turn off the update service.
    4. You can also block driver updates individually a useful feature if a specific driver update is causing system issues.
    5. Once you’ve made your selections, click “Apply” to take effect.

    The tool modifies system settings and registry entries to enforce your preferences; if Windows resets these settings after a feature update, the software will reconfigure them accordingly.

    For users who get rid of Windows 11 update permanently, this software is currently one of the most comprehensive tools available. It is particularly useful in scenarios where system stability is critical such as computers running legacy software, audio production workstations, or industrial control system tools.

    However, the security implications must be weighed: disabling updates exposes the system to the risk of newly discovered threats. Windows may occasionally re-enable the update service after major system updates, but the software can restore the original settings.

  • Automatic Windows updates can sometimes restart a computer at inconvenient times, download large files in the background, or install changes that a user would rather postpone. For people who prefer to decide when system updates happen, it is common to search for ways to get rid of Windows 11 update permanently and take more control over the update process.

    Windows Update Manager is a utility that provides additional controls for managing Windows Update. It can help users check available updates, change automatic update behavior, and manage how the system searches for or installs new updates without going through several Windows settings pages.

    • To get started, open the application with administrator permissions and review the current update configuration. Look for the settings related to automatic updates, then select the option that disables or limits automatic checking and installation.
    • Apply the changes and restart the computer if required. After restarting, open the standard Windows Update page to check whether the new configuration is active. Since major system updates can sometimes change update-related settings, it is worth checking the configuration again afterward.
    • For users looking to get rid of Windows 11 update permanently, this approach provides a practical way to keep update behavior under manual control.
  • Myrans's avatar
    Myrans
    Brass Contributor

    For the most thorough blocking, advanced users can use PowerShell scripts that make system-wide changes.

    • Disable-Windows-Defender-Update Script:
    • What it does: Disables Windows Update services (wuauserv, UsoSvc, BITS, etc.), disables scheduled tasks that re-enable updates, adds Microsoft update servers to the hosts file (blocking them locally), and creates firewall rules to block known update IPs.
    • Reversibility: Comes with re-enable scripts, but re-enabling requires manual action.
    • Requirement: Must run PowerShell as Administrator and may need to disable Tamper Protection in Windows Security first.

     

    This creates a self-healing monitor. Even if you manually re-enable updates, the task will kill them within 5 minutes. To fully get rid of the Windows 11 update permanently with this method, you must also disable the Task Scheduler service—which breaks other system functions.

    WinUpdateBlocker Script:

    • Two methods:  This is the definitive way to get rid of the Windows 11 update at the registry level. The safer option pauses updates for a long period; the deeper option uses a tool called AdvancedRun to disable scheduled tasks that can't be disabled with normal admin rights.
    • Note: Major Windows updates may revert these changes, so re-running the script periodically is recommended.
  • Elliotink's avatar
    Elliotink
    Tin Contributor

    For maximum control, these community-created tools are completely free and transparent if you want to get rid of the Windows 11 update.

    1. Registry Method: Pause Updates for Up to 10 Years
    This is a clever "official backdoor" that extends the default 5-week pause limit to a maximum of 3650 days (~10 years).

    1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open Registry Editor.
    2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings.
    3. In the right pane, right-click > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
    4. Name it FlightSettingsMaxPauseDays.
    5. Double-click the new entry, set Base to Decimal, and enter a value like 3650 in Value data.
    6. Click OK and close the Registry Editor.
    7. Go to Windows Update settings; you should now be able to pause updates for the extended period.

     

    Note: Modifying the registry incorrectly can cause system instability. Back up your registry before making changes.

    2. Registry Method: Completely Disable Windows Update 
    To get rid of the Windows 11 update, this method disables the update engine entirely by pointing it to non-existent servers and disabling its features.
    Steps (Run in Command Prompt as Administrator):

    cmd
    reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v DoNotConnectToWindowsUpdateInternetLocations /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
    reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v DisableWindowsUpdateAccess /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
    reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" /v NoAutoUpdate /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

    These commands together prevent connections to Microsoft's update servers and remove access to Windows Update features from the Settings app.

  • Violetss's avatar
    Violetss
    Brass Contributor

    Recommend the "Hardlink" Service Trap if you want to get rid of the Windows 11 update. Instead of disabling the Update service, you corrupt its executable path using a Windows built-in tool (mklink) so the system can't even find it. This is a nasty trick that survives most minor repairs.

    Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
    Step 2: Stop the Update service:

    text
    net stop wuauserv

    Step 3: Rename the original update executable folder:

    text
    rename C:\Windows\System32\wuaueng.dll wuaueng.dll.bak

    Step 4: Create a hardlink pointing the update engine to a dummy, harmless system file (like calc.exe):

    text
    mklink /h C:\Windows\System32\wuaueng.dll C:\Windows\System32\calc.exe

    Result: When Windows tries to invoke its update engine, it actually launches Calculator instead. The update fails silently with no error popup. This is extremely obscure and rarely documented.

     To get rid of the Windows 11 update, you'll need to reverse every step manually (restore ACLs, delete WMI filters, remove hosts entries, or restore the original DLL).