As you know, for Windows 7 all kinds of updates are released with enviable regularity. At the same time, they are installed when the automatic mode is turned on spontaneously, which unspeakably annoys users. How to disable automatic updating in Windows 7 will be described in more detail below. And we will be guided in this matter by an ordinary user who is not particularly versed in system settings.
Why might you need to disable automatic updates?
But first, let's look at the root of the problem itself. Why is it worth disabling the receipt of critical updates for the system itself, drivers and programs? The fact is that in the released updates themselves quite often you can find a huge number of "jambs".
There are cases when, after the next installation of updates, the system, as they say, completely “flies”. Instead of loading, either a blank black screen appeared, or, even worse, a blue BSoD death screen. And it was impossible to deal with it.
As for drivers, disabling the installation of their updates may be required if the new management software works worse than the drivers installed before. Surprisingly, this happens.
If we talk about application programs, there is a moot point. It is possible that the user is satisfied with the installed version, and the new one may seem unusually complex, inoperative on existing equipment, etc.
How to disable automatic system update: classic method
So, first, consider how to turn off automatic updating in Windows 7 in a way that most users use. To do this, you need to enter the system properties through the PCM menu on the computer icon, and use the hyperlink to the "Update Center" below. You can, of course, go a long way, using the “Control Panel” for this, but such a solution looks extremely irrational.
Now in the section itself you need to go to the settings and first of all pay attention to the item of important updates. The default setting is automatic. How to disable automatic updating in Windows 7?
Yes, just in the drop-down list, you must select the line "Do not check for updates." It is also advisable to uncheck the boxes from all the items below and click the OK button. As a result, not only updates for the operating system will be disabled, but also for other Microsoft software products (most often this relates to the Office).
How to disable the Automatic Update service in Windows 7?
The previous method is good because at any time the user can use the manual update search mode, and among the packages found, select only those that he believes are extremely necessary for installation. By the way, the technique for eliminating some service packs is applied just in the case when the operating system crashes after the update.
The second way is to disable the service itself, which is responsible for finding and installing updates. When it is deactivated, manual search will become impossible. As far as appropriate, everyone decides for himself.
In this case, you first need to call the "Run" console (Win + R) and enter the services.msc command in the field to enter the services editor.
Here you need to find the “Update Center” service (usually it is located somewhere at the very bottom) and enter the parameter editing via double-click. First, the service must be stopped by clicking on the corresponding button, and then in the drop-down list of the startup type, select the disabled state and save the installed options. Reboot in neither the first nor the second case is required.
How to disable automatic driver updates in Windows 7?
Now a few words about deactivating software updates for the hardware of a computer system and some virtual devices. First, as in the first case, you need to call the system properties through RMB on the computer icon, and then go to additional parameters.
How to disable software update for hardware components of the system? Very simple. In the called section, we need the equipment tab, in which you need to click the button for the device installation parameters.
In the settings window, it is necessary to mark the lines not of automatic software installation, but of granting the right of choice to the user, and prohibition of installing drivers from the "Update Center", as well as unchecking the box for automatically receiving applications and information from the manufacturer. After that, just save the changes.
Application update deactivation issues
Finally, let's see how to turn off automatic program updates in Windows 7. The main problem is that it is impossible to do this in one universal way for all installed applications. You will have to look for appropriate items in the programs themselves and turn off updates there.
However, if applications integrate their elements into the startup menu, such as Flash Player, they can be removed from startup (there are services that are responsible for tracking new updates, and not the main application components). To disconnect via the msconfig command in the Run console, go to the system configurator and uncheck the boxes from the services, processes and applications that you do not need on the startup tab. When saving the parameters, a reboot offer will follow, with which we must agree, because this is a prerequisite in this case.