You can’t stop updates altogether, but you can pause them. There is also a way to disable updates, but it, too, is not permanent. If you want to hold off in case of any potential glitches or would rather put them off as long as possible, here is how to adjust your settings.
Stop Windows 11 automatic updates temporarily in Settings
This is by far the simplest method, but it’s also the most limited. If you’re getting bombarded with updates right now but don’t want to have to check manually long-term, it’s worth trying:
- Open Settings
- Select Windows Update from the left pane – it’s usually at the bottom of the list
- Under ‘More updates’, you’ll find an option to ‘Pause updates’. Click the button marked ‘Pause for 1 week’, after which automatic updates will continue again [view screenshot]
- Windows 11 turn off automatic updates
- However, this setting completely disables updates for seven days, or until you resume them. There’s no option to continue installing them manually.
NOTE: Unfortunately, unlike with Windows 10, where you could pause updates for up to 35 days, in Windows 11, you only get up to those three weeks.