Control Windows Updates with Group Policy Editor

Joe A.TT · 05. Aug 2015, 09:41 PM

One of the things that some people dislike about Windows 10 is forced updates. I posted before about an official tool which can be used to block updates. I think that tool should come in quite handy for some users, especially when updates cause problems. But what if you want finer control? Well, fear not. There is a way to get finer control via Group Policy Editor (or gpedit.msc). Here's how...

1. Sign in to an Administrator account.

2. Open the Group Policy Editor in either of two ways...

Use the shortcut Win Key + R to open the Run dialog then type gpedit.msc and hit Enter.

Use the shortcut Win Key + S to open Search then type gpedit.msc and hit Enter.

3. In the left pane of Group Policy Editor, expand Computer Configuration→Administrative Templates→Windows Components then click on Windows Update.

4. In the right pane, double-click Configure Automatic Updates.

5. In the window that opens, click on the button to Enable.

6. Next, configure the settings to your liking in the section labeled Configure automatic updating. There are four options...

2 - Notify for download and notify for install
3 - Auto download and notify for install
4 - Auto download and schedule the install
5 - Allow local admin to choose setting

You can click on the tab labeled Explain for a description of each option. You will also find options for scheduling updates on a day and time that is suitable to you.

The Group Policy Setting will take a while to implement itself. Personally, I chose the first option in the list mentioned above. Some time later when I went to Settings→Update & security→Windows Update I saw the changes in the screenshot below...

Don't get impatient if the changes take a while to show up in Settings. I didn't see the changes until the following day.

Group Policy Editor is a Windows 10 Pro feature, however, there is a way that Windows 10 Home users can enable it too. I didn't post a link to the procedure because I don't know if it would be allowed but anyone should be able to find it with a simple search. BTW, most instructions for Windows 7 should work in Windows 10 too.

IMPORTANT: Always backup before you make any tweak to the operating system!

Group Policy Editor is a very handy tool for tweaking other system features as well.

Enjoy

Anupam · 06. Aug 2015, 08:32 AM

Thank you Joe, this is really useful.

Joe A.TT · 06. Aug 2015, 01:09 PM

You're welcome.

Joe A.TT · 29. Aug 2015, 02:07 PM

Okay, I want to set the record straight before I mislead anyone - the gpedit trick isn't working. Even though I've set Windows Update to "Notify for download and notify for install" updates are still being installed and I am not receiving the "supposed" notifications.

Another thing I've tried is a registry edit which I found on the internet. It involves creating a new key with a DWORD value under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Win dows. Unfortunately, this isn't working either.

Long story short, it looks like my last resort would be to connect by wifi and set my connection to "metered". However, that would be getting a bit too desperate so I'll be leaving things as they are for now.

Anupam · 29. Aug 2015, 06:28 PM

Looks like Microsoft have made things difficult in Windows 10. That's why I don't like to mess around with registry, or other such stuff.

Joe A.TT · 30. Aug 2015, 01:08 AM

They have certainly made things difficult but I am not afraid to mess with the registry if that is what it takes to change how things work. I've gotten accustomed to fooling around in the registry and I can usually tell when an edit makes sense or not. Besides, I make backups just in case.

05. Aug 2015, 09:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
Joe A.TT Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 1,028	Control Windows Updates with Group Policy Editor One of the things that some people dislike about Windows 10 is forced updates. I posted before about an official tool which can be used to block updates. I think that tool should come in quite handy for some users, especially when updates cause problems. But what if you want finer control? Well, fear not. There is a way to get finer control via Group Policy Editor (or gpedit.msc). Here's how... 1. Sign in to an Administrator account. 2. Open the Group Policy Editor in either of two ways... Use the shortcut Win Key + R to open the Run dialog then type gpedit.msc and hit Enter. Use the shortcut Win Key + S to open Search then type gpedit.msc and hit Enter. 3. In the left pane of Group Policy Editor, expand Computer Configuration→Administrative Templates→Windows Components then click on Windows Update. 4. In the right pane, double-click Configure Automatic Updates. 5. In the window that opens, click on the button to Enable. 6. Next, configure the settings to your liking in the section labeled Configure automatic updating. There are four options... 2 - Notify for download and notify for install 3 - Auto download and notify for install 4 - Auto download and schedule the install 5 - Allow local admin to choose setting You can click on the tab labeled Explain for a description of each option. You will also find options for scheduling updates on a day and time that is suitable to you. The Group Policy Setting will take a while to implement itself. Personally, I chose the first option in the list mentioned above. Some time later when I went to Settings→Update & security→Windows Update I saw the changes in the screenshot below... Don't get impatient if the changes take a while to show up in Settings. I didn't see the changes until the following day. Group Policy Editor is a Windows 10 Pro feature, however, there is a way that Windows 10 Home users can enable it too. I didn't post a link to the procedure because I don't know if it would be allowed but anyone should be able to find it with a simple search. BTW, most instructions for Windows 7 should work in Windows 10 too. IMPORTANT: Always backup before you make any tweak to the operating system! Group Policy Editor is a very handy tool for tweaking other system features as well. Enjoy

06. Aug 2015, 08:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
Anupam Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 15,334	Thank you Joe, this is really useful. __________________ Anupam

29. Aug 2015, 06:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
Anupam Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 15,334	Looks like Microsoft have made things difficult in Windows 10. That's why I don't like to mess around with registry, or other such stuff. __________________ Anupam

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06. Aug 2015, 01:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
Joe A.TT Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 1,028	You're welcome.

29. Aug 2015, 02:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
Joe A.TT Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 1,028	Okay, I want to set the record straight before I mislead anyone - the gpedit trick isn't working. Even though I've set Windows Update to "Notify for download and notify for install" updates are still being installed and I am not receiving the "supposed" notifications. Another thing I've tried is a registry edit which I found on the internet. It involves creating a new key with a DWORD value under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Win dows. Unfortunately, this isn't working either. Long story short, it looks like my last resort would be to connect by wifi and set my connection to "metered". However, that would be getting a bit too desperate so I'll be leaving things as they are for now.

30. Aug 2015, 01:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
Joe A.TT Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 1,028	They have certainly made things difficult but I am not afraid to mess with the registry if that is what it takes to change how things work. I've gotten accustomed to fooling around in the registry and I can usually tell when an edit makes sense or not. Besides, I make backups just in case.