How to turn off Windows Update in Windows 10

A while ago, I noticed that Windows was draining my data, despite the fact that I had set put my WiFi network on the “metered,” setting. The setting apparently does not stop Windows 10 from checking for and, to some extend, downloading updates. Windows actually states, as you can see in the screenshot, that setting a WiFi network to “Metered,” automatically shuts down most updates, save for “those updates required to keep Windows running smoothly.” This is what motivated me to go looking for how to turn off Windows Update in Windows 10.

Windows 10 can be a drain on Data

Now, I have nothing against keeping Windows running smoothly, but even those few updates can be a drain, , particularly if, like me, you only have a limited amount of data on any given day. I use my Google Nexus 7 2013 (LTE) as a wifi hotspot and purchase a “daily,” bundle of 250 megabytes for a dollar. The data tends to be enough, if I desist from downloading anything.

However, what I was discovering was that, due to Windows Update’s “errant” behavior, all my data was getting used up before the end of the day. The obvious solution would be to turn off Windows Update. Unfortunately, there is no straightforward way of doing so in Windows 10. The fortunate part is that it is still possible to turn off Windows Update in Windows 10;

How to turn off Windows Update in Windows 10

To turn off Windows Update in Windows 10, do the following;

1. Click on the Search icon in the bottom left corner of your screen and they type in “Services”
2. Click on the Services App that comes up
3. In the “Services” window, scroll down till you find “Windows Update.”
4. Right click on that and then click on “Properties.”
5. Choose “Disabled” under “Startup Type.”
6. Click on “Ok” and you are done.

Don’t keep Windows Update Off all the time

The one thing that you need to remember is that Windows Update is there for a reason; to make sure that your computer stays up to date and ahead of the malware that’s floating around out there. It’s, therefore, not advisable to keep it off all the time. I personally make sure that I turn it on every couple of days. That’s when I get access to an unmetered network and do not have to worry about having my data swallowed up.