Many users face problem while disabling the Windows Automatic Update on Windows 7. Even last time my bro called me and asked me how to do this. Now you may wonder what’s the big deal in just disabling it from the Windows Update Center from Control Panel. Basically, the thing is that when we disable it from the Windows Update Center, only a part of it gets disabled. But Windows Update still starts automatically and eats up some of your precious bandwidth…
So we are going to discuss how to permanently disable Windows Update from Windows 7. After this tweak Windows 7 update service will not start at all… So you don’t have to worry about any excess bandwidth usage… [Recommended Reading: 5 tips to lower your broadband usage over internet]
#1: Disabling from Windows Update Center:
This is a easier step and you might be aware of it. Anyways for those who don’t know, here are the steps…
- Go to Start Menu > Control Panel and switch to large icon view
- Now at the end of the list click on “Windows Update”
- Windows Update panel will pop up.
Now select the “Let me choose my settings” option - Now under “Important Updates” section click on the dropdown menu and select the “Never Check for Updates” option.
- Apply all changes [Just press OK] and you are done
#2: Disabling from the Administrative Tools:
In this step we will disable the Automatic Update service from the administrative tools. This will permanently stop it and will prevent it from being started on each start up. So after this tweak, you don’t have to worry about Automatic Updates anymore…
Caution: Doing so will make any program depending on Windows Update API [WUA] stop working. So it is not recommended if you use such program. [But I will recommend you to do this if you want to save your bandwidth!]
So here is how to do it:
- Go to Control Panel before and switch to Icon View as before.
Now click on the “Administrative Tools” icon. - From the Administrative Tools double click on “Services”.
This will open up the Service panel. - Now scroll down to the list and find and select “Windows Update”.
While selecting it take a look on the left sidebar panel. If there is something like “Stop the Service” simply click on it.
Else just ignore this step. - Now right click on Windows Update
and go to Properties. - Now under the Startup Type from the Properties Window select the Disabled option from the dropdown menu.
- Hit OK and save everything
Voila… Now you have properly disabled the windows update…
So that was the guide of completely disabling windows update on your win7 PC. I hope it was useful for you! Do give us your feedback… If you have any query, feel free to ask us through your comments…
Swashata has written
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thank you. this is very usefull
Very useful tips. I only disabled my windows updtade from windows update center and surprised getting some update. Then I find this. Thanks for shearing this.
Thnks. It’s very usefull information I was waiting from a long time thnks again.
Does not work! Even after I had done this I still get updates! It still turns the updates back on! Very disappointed! Anybody know of a REAL way to do this not this fake way?
It works for me, tyvm! This is really helpful.
I HAVE INSTALLED WINDOWS 7 ON MY PC, AND LATER FOUND A SOMTHING WRITTEN ON THE RIGHT (DOWN) SIDE OF MY DESKTOP THAT MY COPY OF WINDOWS IS NOT GENUINE, AND LATER ON , I FACED SOME PROBLEMS IN STARTING MY PC, AS I WAS NOT GETTING TO SEE MY DESKTOP DIRECTLY AS I START MY PC, PLEASE RECCOMND SOME SOLUTION FOR THIS, PLEASE…..IT WOULD B A BIG HELP…
thanks bro, very useful instructions.
Tanks , it’s realy a use full one .
It doesn’t work. Stop Background Intelligent Transfer Service. (BITS)
Amazing , very very thank, I use every thing at least I purchase a antivirus with fireball to stop it , but that was not workfull , but now every thing allright, thank you so bhai..
God bless you.
Hi,
Plz tell me im using the cracked Win 7, By mistake the win updates were open, But now i turn it off, but its still giving me the messages, and my themes is not coming, im feeling uncomfortable. Help Mee.
“Shazia”
u can call and guide me,
050-9477731, thank u
Thnx,for makin it that easy…:)
Fantastic article
Very helpful I don’t want Microslop spying on me this is a step to stop the A**Holes from doing that. Thanks for the tip everybody should do this I mean right now. Also Igor had a point Stop Background Intelligent Transfer Service I remember doing all this on Windows XP but didn’t know how to on Windows 7. I skipped Windows Vista and went to Windows 7, two years ago. Google and Youtube spy on you also I’m not being paranoid but at the same time I want is much privacy as I can get and these are steps we need to take.
Just what do you mean by the following quote regarding these tips??
“After this tweak Windows 7 will not start at all… So you don’t have to worry about any excess bandwidth usage… ”
Please clairify??
Tks
Ralph M.
I meant, Windows 7 update service. I will fix the typo. Thanks
Thanks this is usefullllllllllllll for me
thank u so much .. u were so helpfull..
i did this and am still getting updates. what to do? update option in services gets enabled automatically.
Is there any microsoft software you are using where update is turned on?
As someone else mentioned, turn off BITS too (it’s a service)