How to Turn Off Updates on a Windows 7 PC

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Does your Windows 7 PC keep trying to install updates? While Microsoft no longer offers feature updates for Windows 7, security updates may still be available. If you don't want to apply any updates for Windows 7, you can disable Windows Updates in your Settings. Turning off Windows Update can leave your PC exposed to malware and other security threats, so only disable updates temporarily.

Things You Should Know

  • Click the Start menu, type "windows update," then click "Windows Update."
  • Select "Never check for updates (not recommended)."
  • Click "OK" to save your changes.

Steps

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    This can be achieved by clicking the multicolored Windows 7 Start orb at the bottom-left of your screen.
    • You can also press the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard.
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    A search will initiate.
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    It's located at the top of the Start menu.
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    Select "change settings" from the upper part of the left pane.
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    The list will show the ways in which you can manage the Windows updates. The options are as follows:
    • Install updates automatically (recommended) : Selecting this option will automate the entire process of downloading and installing the updates. This feature is recommended only if you have high or unlimited bandwidth allowance. Windows updates comprise of big files and their regular download may lead to high data usage charges.
    • Download updates but let me choose whether to install them : This option is suitable only if you have suitable bandwidth allowance but have limited hard drive space. Windows will download the updates and then it will allow you to choose which updates are to be installed and which of them are to be discarded.
    • Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them : Choosing this option, you allow Windows to scan for the available updates but it can only download and install them after you choose the ones to install.
    • Never check for updates (not recommended) : Selecting this option will restrict Windows from searching, downloading or installing any updates. Choosing this option will not lead to any system malfunction in any way.
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    Select "Never check for updates (not recommended)" from the bottom of the dropdown menu.
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    Click the gray OK button at the bottom of the page.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I find IP numbers?
    Community Answer
    First get to the Control Panel in one of the following ways: 1) Press “Windows key + F”, a search box will come up, input "control panel" and press enter. 2) Press “Windows key + R”, then there will be a “run” box, input "control panel" and press enter. 3) Press “Windows key + X”, and click on “control panel”. 4) You can also input “control panel” in the search bar on the right-hand side of the screen. Now that you are in Control Panel, click on Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center, then click on Change Adapter Settings on the left side. Highlight and right click on Ethernet, go to Status -> Details. The IP address will display.
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  • Question
    Windows 7 update has been going on for 1 hour, how to stop the update?
    Community Answer
    Press and hold power button for a few seconds (turns off the PC), do that multiple times on boot, and windows startup repair should repair the broken system files and revert the update.
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  • Question
    Windows 7 is locked in trying to update and has been for long time. Cannot get it to close?
    Community Answer
    If that happens, try typing this into cmd (admin): net stop TrustedInstaller net stop wuauserv. This will stop Windows Update until the next reboot.
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      Tips

      • If you would like to uninstall a Windows update, see How to Uninstall a Windows Update for step-by-step instructions.
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      Warnings

      • Disabling Windows Update makes you vulnerable to malware since you're not receiving any security patches.
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      References

      1. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows/windows-update
      2. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows7/products/features/windows-update

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