Disable automatic installation of Windows updates without user consent
- Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
- Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
- Impact: High
System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: High
This action improves privacy with high impact when you run the recommended script.
- Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
- Administrator rights requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
- Fully reversible
You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.
The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.
Overview
This script changes how your Windows computer handles automatic updates by modifying the AUOptions
registry key.
After running this script, your computer will notify you before downloading any updates 1 2 3.
In the default setup, your Windows system is configured to download and install updates automatically without notifying you 4. This means that new updates could be installed on your system without your explicit approval.
By forcing Windows to notify you before downloading updates, this script hands back control over your system to you. This feature enhances your privacy and minimizes risks because you get to manually review and approve each update before it's installed.
To explain the technical aspect, the AUOptions
registry key is a setting stored under
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU
in your computer's registry 1 3.
A value of 2
for AUOptions
means that you will be notified before any updates are downloaded and installed 1 2.
On older versions of Windows, setting this key to 1
would prevent the system from even checking for updates 5.
However, starting from Windows 10, the key 1
has a different meaning 23.
Running this script doesn't disable updates; it just ensures that you are informed and have the final say on whether to download them or not.
- Not Advised
This script should only be used by advanced users.
This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality.
Consider creating a system restore point before doing any changes.
- Security Trade-off
This action prioritizes privacy over certain security features. It's not recommended and should only be used by advanced users after understanding its implications.
Increased Privacy
Enhanced privacy through reduced data collection and trackingDecreased Security
Some security features will be disabled or limitedThis script can be reversed, this action allows you to can restore the system security.
Sources
- Configure Automatic Updates in a Non–Active Directory Environment. Microsoft Learn. (2023).
Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/de-de/security-updates/windowsupdateservices/18127499
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20230807165936/https://learn.microsoft.com/de-de/security-updates/windowsupdateservices/18127499 - Manage additional Windows Update settings - Windows Deployment. Microsoft Learn. (2023).
Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/update/waas-wu-settings
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20230711172555/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/update/waas-wu-settings#configuring-automatic-updates-by-editing-the-registry - Manage device restarts after updates - Windows Deployment. Microsoft Learn. (2023).
Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/update/waas-restart
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20230815051303/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/update/waas-restart#registry-keys-used-to-manage-restart - Update Windows Update Agent to latest version - Windows Client. Microsoft Learn. (2023).
Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-US/troubleshoot/windows-client/deployment/update-windows-update-agent
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20230826081345/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-US/troubleshoot/windows-client/deployment/update-windows-update-agent - Incorrect Automatic Updates notification is received even though AU options are disabled in Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 - Microsoft Support. (2022).
Original: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/incorrect-automatic-updates-notification-is-received-even-though-au-options-are-disabled-in-windows-8-1-and-windows-server-2012-r2-18b4b73a-3910-9408-809c-7eaad0e1fbc7
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20221001051250/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/incorrect-automatic-updates-notification-is-received-even-though-au-options-are-disabled-in-windows-8-1-and-windows-server-2012-r2-18b4b73a-3910-9408-809c-7eaad0e1fbc7
Apply Now
Choose one of three ways to apply:
Download script
Download and run the script directly- No app needed
- Offline usage
- Easy-to-apply
- Free
- Open-source
Help
How to apply or restore "Disable automatic installation of Windows updates without user consent" using script
- ≈ 2 min to complete
- Tools: Web Browser
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 5 instructions
- 1
Download
Download the script file by clicking on thebutton above.
Use button above to restore changes. - 2
Keep the file
If warned by your browser, keep the file. - 3
Open
Open the downloaded file. - 4
Exit
Once it's done, press any key to exit the window. - 5
Restart
Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.
Apply with privacy.sexy
Guided, automated application with safety checks- Recommended for most users
- Includes safety checks
- Free
- Open-source
- Popular
- Offline/Online usage
Help
How to apply or restore "Disable automatic installation of Windows updates without user consent" using privacy.sexy
- ≈ 3 min to complete
- Tools: privacy.sexy
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 4 instructions
- 2
Choose script
- Search for the script name: Disable automatic installation of Windows updates without user consent
- Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
- 3
Run
Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.
- Apply
- Revert
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU!AUOptions"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU'; $data = '2'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU' /v 'AUOptions' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
Ijo6IFNldCB0aGUgcmVnaXN0cnkgdmFsdWUgXCJIS0xNXFxTT0ZUV0FSRVxcUG9saWNpZXNcXE1pY3Jvc29mdFxcV2luZG93c1xcV2luZG93c1VwZGF0ZVxcQVUhQVVPcHRpb25zXCJcblBvd2VyU2hlbGwgLUV4ZWN1dGlvblBvbGljeSBVbnJlc3RyaWN0ZWQgLUNvbW1hbmQgXCIkcmV2ZXJ0RGF0YSA9ICc0JzsgcmVnIGFkZCAnSEtMTVxcU09GVFdBUkVcXFBvbGljaWVzXFxNaWNyb3NvZnRcXFdpbmRvd3NcXFdpbmRvd3NVcGRhdGVcXEFVJyAvdiAnQVVPcHRpb25zJyAvdCAnUkVHX0RXT1JEJyAvZCBcIl5cIlwiJHJldmVydERhdGFcIl5cIlwiIC9mXCIi
Help
How to apply or restore "Disable automatic installation of Windows updates without user consent" using commands
- ≈ 2 min to complete
- Tools: Command Prompt
- Difficulty: Medium
- ≈ 3 instructions
- 1
Open Command Prompt
Open Command Prompt as Administrator. - 2
Copy code
Copy the code: - 3
Paste & run
Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.Some changes require a system restart to take effect
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About the Creators
These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:
Reviewed By
This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:Expert review by undergroundwires
- Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
- Assessed system impact and user privacy risks
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- Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
- Millions of end-users tested across different environments
History
We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.