Windows 10, is an operating system considered to be the best OS released by Microsoft and has been growing its fan base since the release of its technical preview. If you are reading this guide, you would already know how cleverly Microsoft combined the well-received features of Windows 7 and 8.1 and implemented it in Windows 10. In addition to that, brand new features like the intelligent assistant Cortana and built in multiple desktops have also helped Windows 10 grow into a popular and well received operating system as it is today, but that does not mean that it comes without any faults.
Many users reported that when they log in to Windows 10, they would get messages like
“Hi
We have updated your PC
All your files are exactly where you left them
We’ve got some new features to get excited about. (Do not turn off your PC)”
And after for a while (about 20 minutes in some cases) you would get your desktop in front of you.
As these messages are untitled and without any other details, they may scare a user into thinking the Windows is going through some kind of a problem as the user did not make any changes that would make their Windows act like this. But the truth is there is nothing to be worried about, as the message that appears simply tells you that it has just finished automatically installing updates on your system.
In Windows 10, automatic installation of Windows Updates is mandatory so you cannot turn it off that easily as in previous versions of Windows. But this hurdle can be circumvented by using group policy editor only available in Windows Pro, Enterprise and Education edition of Windows 10. In short, you cannot turn off automatic installation of updates on Windows 10 Home Edition.
To disable automatic installation of updates, Press and Hold the Windows key and Press R. Type gpedit.msc and Press Enter to open Group Policy editor.
In the Group Policy Editor window, navigate to Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Update by double clicking on each in the left pane.
With Windows Update selected in the left pane, locate Configure Automatic Updates in the right pane and double click it.
Select Enabled Now in the Options section. Now choose how you want your updates to be installed from the options in the dropdown menu; weather you want to turn them off permanently, or do you want to get a notification when an update is available for installation. Save your changes.
If you have to check and install Windows updates in the future, simply go back to Configuring Updates window in the Group Policy Editor and select Not configured and save your changes.
We know we said that disabling automatic Windows update on Windows 10 Home edition is not available, but you can still restrict Windows update into demanding fewer resources of your system.
To do so, Press and Hold the Windows key and Press Pause/Break to bring up System’s Properties window.
Click Advanced system settings in the left pane.
Go to the Hardware tab.
Click on Device Installation Settings.
Select No, Let me choose what to do.
Now Select Never install driver software from Windows update.
Click Save Changes.
Restart your system to let the changes take effect.