Clear and simple solutions to everyday tech problems

So, if’n you’ve got a Windows 7 or a Windows 8 computer, you may be set in your ways. Or at the very least, leery of the huge amount of shenanigans that happen when your computer upgrades to Windows 10. Even though we recommend trying Windows 10 out in another one of your articles, there are times when you are comfortable with what you’ve got and want to avoid the upgrade. Well, Microsoft isn’t comfortable with you being comfortable. But, then, anyone who ever tried Windows ME knows that. Hey-o!! Microsoft joke that is extremely dated.

Anyway, so we’re going to walk you through how to turn off your automatically downloaded updates. Why will that help? Well, Microsoft today (February 2, 2016) decided that it’d be totally awesome to take advantage of the auto-downloading that people often set their computers to do. So the Windows 10 Upgrade is now recommended updates, so they’ll download and install them for you. Normally, automatic download/installation of updates is a good thing. Virus definitions, security upgrades, general program updates, all of these are good for your experience. However, an upgrade to an entirely new OS where your software may not work isn’t that great. Let’s turn it off.

Options to Stop Windows 10 Upgrade

So the first thing we’ll do is decide how we want to block the Windows 10 upgrade. There are a couple ways to do this. Either through Group Policy, through Computer Configuration, or through editing the Windows Registry. To be completely honest, though, you probably will want to avoid Group Policy and Windows Registry edits. I’ve been editing the registry for the last 15 years, but it still gives me the heebie jeebies. My recommendation is for you to duck it too. While Microsoft argues that messing with automatic updates is a bad idea, sometimes bad ideas are the only way to protect yourself from what you don’t want.For step-by-step instructions, check out Chakotech.

Turn off Auto Updates in Windows 7

So if you’re using Windows 7, you’ll want to first click the start button, and then do a quick search for Update. They’ll throw a list of results at you, choose “Windows Update”.

Make sure that the “Recommended Updates” box is checked to give you the recommended updates the same way. This way, they’ll all be routed through you as a list, and you can avoid downloading a massive 6gb file for the Windows 10 upgrade. That is, until you want to. For Microsoft Update, make sure that’s unchecked. Click “Ok” at the bottom, and you’re good to go. You’ve got the power, much like He-Man.

Turn off Auto Updates in Windows 8

The biggest change here is if you’re using a Windows tablet, in which case just imagine swiping or tapping with the mouse ‘n such. But basically, you’ll want to open Windows Update by pointing to the lower right of the screen with the mouse and moving the mouse pointer up. Then click “Settings” and then “Change PC Settings.” You should find an option called “Update and Recovery.” For a bit of a shorter option there, open up the Start Menu, and then use the search bar to look for “Update and Recovery.”

Once those options are up, then click the “Choose How Updates Get Installed” option. There, you’ll find a similar list of options as those under Windows 7. You’ll want to make sure that under “Important Updates” that you’ve selected “Check for Updates but let me choose whether to download and install them.”

Make sure the Recommended updates are tackled the same way as important updates by checking the box next to that. For Microsoft Update, make sure that’s unchecked until all this kerfuffle is settled. Click the “Apply” button, and you’re set.