We can disable Windows automatic updates from command line using the below command.
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionWindowsUpdateAuto Update" /v AUOptions /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
I tested this on Windows XP, Windows server 2003 and Windows 7 and it works perfectly. After running the above command you can also see a balloon popping up near the system tray with the message “Your computer might be at risk… Automatic updates is turned off……“.
Note that this will not work if domain group policy is enforced and users are prohibited to change the settings. In Windows 7, we can find out if a GP is enforced or not by opening windows update window. Go to settings and see if the options are greyed out for ‘Important updates’. If so, then it’s controlled by administrator/domain policy and can’t be edited. In XP, same can be checked on ‘Automatic updates’ tab in Computer properties(sysdm.cpl).
To enable automatic updates we need to set the registry value to 0. Command is given below.
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionWindowsUpdateAuto Update" /v AUOptions /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
If you want to download updates but not install till the user acts on it then you can set the registry value to 3.
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionWindowsUpdateAuto Update" /v AUOptions /t REG_DWORD /d 3 /f
If you want to disable Automatic updates service then run the below command.
sc config wuauserv start= disabled
IF you want to stop Automatic updates service then run the below command.
net stop wuauserv
Command for starting automatic updates service:
net start wuauserv
Command for enabling the service:
sc config wuauserv start= auto
In Vista/Windows 7, the above commands should be run from elevated administrator command prompt. Otherwise you would get the following error.
c:>reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionWindowsUpdateAuto Update" /v AUOptions /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f ERROR: Access is denied.
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Thanks for the tip.. I tried this on Windows 7 and it worked perfectly. Thanks again.
thanks mate. one question, does this command only disable? or does it enable and disable?
I believe if you do "net start wuauserv". The windows update will start to work
to disable you type in "net stop wuauserv" in the command promt.
It can be used to enable also. The command would vary slightly.. just replace 1 with 0. Please see the command below after making this change..
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\Auto Update" /v AUOptions /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
Thanks i tested that with Vista it worked for that too .
In my windows update page was having error i did nt have any way other than to disable or enable automatic updates through command prompt.
Best Regards
Kanwal
and 3 means Download udates but do not install
Thank you so much!! Saved me from infinite looping on Vista Ultimate with automatic updates.
Glad that the tip helped you..keep visiting the blog for many more tips..thank you..
How to check if windows automatic update is on?
Get the registry value using 'reg query' command. you can know the updates on/off status based on the registry value
Thank you for pointing out the relevant registry keys and how to modify them, the information was most helpful.
The Access Denied message comes if you don't run command using Administrator privileges, the command works perfectly..you can as well use the GUI..it works perfectly
Run cmd as administrator