Forcing Windows 10 to Always Notify Before Downloading Updates
Recently we told you about Windows 10 automatic updates download problem. We also provided various solutions to fix this problem which helped you in either disabling Automatic updates completely or forcing Windows 10 to notify you before downloading or installing updates:
Fixing Windows 10 Automatic Updates Install Problem
The methods 4 and 5 given in the above tutorial help you in stopping Windows 10 from automatically downloading new updates. You can set Windows to show a notification in Action Center about new updates available. Windows 10 will never download the updates automatically. It’ll only download the updates once you open Windows Updates and manually click on the Download button.
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Here is the proof that these methods work and Windows 10 shows notification message about new updates:
Today when new updates became available, Windows 10 showed a notification message “You need some updates. Select this message to install.” at the bottom-right corner of the screen:
The message was shown for a few seconds and then disappeared. But Action Center still contained the message. When I clicked on Action Center icon in Taskbar notification area, I was able to find the same message:
Once I clicked on the message, it launched Windows Update page in Settings app and Windows told me that new updates are ready to download. There was a download button given to start downloading the updates:
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So if you follow method 4 or 5 in the above mentioned tutorial, you’ll be able to prevent Windows 10 from automatically downloading and installing updates in your system.
NOTE: Remember one thing! It doesn’t matter which method do you use whether its Group Policy method or Registry Editor method, both methods will work only if you check for updates again in Windows Updates. In other words, once you apply the changes using Group Policy Editor or Registry Editor, you need to open Windows Update in Settings app and manually click on “Check for updates” button. Only after that Windows 10 will accept your changes and will stop downloading and installing updates automatically.
So if you want to force Windows 10 to notify you before downloading new updates, check out Group Policy and Registry Editor methods given in following tutorial:
[Windows 10 Tip] Change Windows Update Download and Installation Related Settings
The methods will work without any problem but don’t forget to check for updates in Windows Updates after using the methods.
Thanks, VG. One thing, though. Whenever I tried to open gpedit.msc, it says gpedit.msc is not exist. Do I have to download it manually? Or is it hidden at some place with different name? My OS is Windows 10 Home Single Language. Thanks.
^^ Group Policy Editor doesnt come with Home or Single Language edition. Check following:
https://www.askvg.com/list-of-windows-10-editions-skus/
Use Registry Editor method, restart your computer and then click on check for updates button in Windows Update.
I’m not yet upgrade my windows 8.1 to 10 yet, so I want to make sure that Windows 10 more easier than 8.1. can you tell me VG? thanks 🙂
^^ There are a few differences between Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 10. Windows 10 actually better than Windows 8.1 so you should upgrade to it.
Looks like the Regedit methods don’t work on the Home version. Pity…
Great tutorial, VG! Thanks a lot.
I followed the Registry Editor method and it worked for me. Good riddance!
I have Home version
Tried the registry method, no luck
There’s the “some settings are controlled by your organisation” or something like that, though. But it still download updates automatically
I have added ready-made Registry script. Please use the script and restart your computer. After that click on “Check for updates” button in Windows Update and it’ll set the download settings to “Notify before download” without any problem.
https://www.askvg.com/how-to-change-windows-update-settings-when-managed-or-disabled-by-system-administrator/
Please note that this probably works for Windows 10 PROFESSIONAL users but not for Windows 10 HOME users. HOME users will not get any notification even if they edit the registry as instructed.
@VG again, no luck
Seems like the only workaround I can do is to disable it through services.msc
I’d like to have notification like this, though
@VG, same as some other users here sadly. Registry script not working on Windows 10 Home build: 10240
Have also tried manually editing registry but still no joy! :((
@VG, this does not work in Windows 10 Home using the regedit. Is there anything else we can do?
That give me nothing to get a notification to tell me if and when I want to download and install the updates. What I need is to CHOOSE wich updates I want to install. The Troubleshooter Toll from Microsoft doesn’t let me choose which updates I want to install.
I have W10 Pro. Making the change in gpedit had absolutely no effect. I guess I’ll make the change in regedit also and see if that works. What about setting gpedit to Disable; is that the same as Enable with a value of 2? Thanks.
Hi,Does anyone know if this works for the recent Anniversary update of Windows 10 Pro because I tried it and doesn’t seem to work for me?
“Notify before downloading and installing any updates” has been removed from win 10 v 1703
^^ It has been renamed to “2 – Notify for download and auto install”.
I really don’t like this latest windows 10, it does things without your knowledge it asked me only once before downloading updates. It downloaded updates for a HP printer that I don’t even use but because it’s on the network , this is the weirdest thing, I have never added the printer on my pc… windows is not smart to understand which printers are used!!
The windows updates settings does not exist on my pc. I noticed a big jump from my laptop I got im May 2018 and then the same laptop in November, how Windows has created more restrictions for users to control their machines…. the whole thing with apps like a giant cell phone is the most ridiculous I have witnessed throughout windows history…. you can’t download some programs without using app which use tons of data like in a cell phone and you can’t without having an account with MS…