Saturday, February 6, 2016

Tech: Turn Off Windows 10 Auto Updates



Windows 10 is out and about.  It is easily the most stable, and best performing operating system since Windows 7.  I like to describe it like this... Windows 8 is to Windows Vista, as Windows 10 is to Windows 7.  Solid, reliable and fast -- given that you have newer hardware that you didn't buy from a big box outlet for $199...  Don't mistake the "free" operating system to mean it will run well on any old computer.  It will not.  And you should not expect it to.  Remember, Apple OS X 10.11 should not be running on your 2010 Macbook -- and Windows 10 should not be running on your 2012 laptop, either.  

But if you are smart enough to have invested in a good computer, or just bought one in the last 3 years then you are in luck.  Windows 10 will make you happy, as long as you are prepared for the update.  The downside?  Microsoft has decided, in its infinite wisdom, to push updates down in Windows 10.  This is not a new behavior, other operating systems do it -- but what is new is that you can't simply go into the Control Panel and change the settings... it is a little more complex than that.  

Now you have to alter the Windows Update service setting.  Now... you could do it this way before, too, but you did not have to. 
Control Panel > Administrative Tools, you can access Services. 

In the Services window, scroll down to Windows Update and turn off the process. To turn it off, right-click on the process, click on Properties and select Disabled. That will take care of Windows Updates not being installed on your machine. 




But since Windows is a Service moving forward, you have to keep your computer updated manually. To be able to install the next set of features or a newer build, you will require the earlier updates to be installed. That’s why if you use the above workaround, you will have to go to the Services and turn it on once in a while to download and update your copy of Windows. After you turn on the Windows Update service, when you open Windows Update in PC Settings, you will see a message that updates were not installed because computer was stopped. You will have to click on Retry so that all the available updates are downloaded and installed. This may take two or three “Check for Updates”. 

You will have to keep on clicking “Check for updates” until it says your computer is up to date. Then you can go back and turn off the Windows Update service until next time you feel you are free enough to spend time updating your copy of Windows 10. 

Another option is setting your network connection to ‘Metered’, can also stop Windows 10 from automatically downloading the Updates. You can do it as follows – 


Settings app > Network & Internet > WiFi > Advanced options. 
Move slider to On position for Set as metered connection. 


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Bruce holds a degree in Computer Science from Temple University, a Graduate Certificate in Biblical History from Liberty University and is working towards a Masters Degree in American History at American Public University.  He has worked in educational and technology for over 18 years, specializes in building infrastructures for schools that work to support the mission of technology in education in the classroom.  He also has served as a classroom teacher in Computer Science, History and English classes.  



Bruce is the author of five books: Sands of TimeTowering Pines Volume One:Room 509The Star of ChristmasPhiladelphia Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel and The Insider's Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel

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