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Disable Windows update scheduled tasks

Overview​

About this category

This category contains privacy scripts for Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

This category includes scripts to disable scheduled tasks that are associated with the automatic functioning of the Windows Update service. These tasks are responsible for various background update-related activities such as checking for updates, downloading, and installing them in the background without user intervention.

Disabling these tasks grants users more control over when and how updates are applied. This approach is often preferred by those wishing to manually manage updates or avoid unanticipated system modifications without consent, and it is considered a best practice in high-security environments where precise control over updates is crucial. However, it's important to exercise caution with these changes. Disabling automatic updates can lead to missed critical security patches and feature updates, potentially leaving the system vulnerable.

To view all the scheduled tasks related to Windows Update, you can use the following PowerShell command:

@('\Microsoft\Windows\UpdateOrchestrator\*', '\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\*', '\Microsoft\Windows\WaaSMedic\*', '\Microsoft\Windows\InstallService\*') `
    | ForEach-Object { Get-ScheduledTask -TaskName '*' -TaskPath $_ -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue } `
    | ForEach-Object { Write-Host "$($_.TaskPath)$($_.TaskName)" }
Not Advised

This category should only be used by advanced users. None of its scripts are recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality. Do not run it without having backups and system snapshots.

Apply now​

These scripts are written using Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Choose one of two ways to apply:

  1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
  2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy​

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

It allows selectively choose parts of this action to conduct. You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.

privacy.sexy instructions
  1. Open or download the desktop application
  2. Search for the category name: Disable Windows update scheduled tasks.
  3. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download​

Consider restarting your computer for all changes to take affect.

Reversible

This action is completely reversible, you can restore your changes to the initial/default state. The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

If something goes wrong, use the Revert script provided above.

All​

This script includes Standard, Strict recommendation levels along with unrecommended scripts.

Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users. Some of these changes are NOT recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality. Do not run it without having backups and system snapshots.

Download all scripts:

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Restore these changes if you decide to revert them by downloading the restore script:

Download restore script

Explore further​

This category includes total of 22 scripts but no subcategories.

Explore its 22 scripts:

Disable "ScanForUpdates" task

This script disables the "ScanForUpdates" scheduled task. This task is responsible for performing update scans. Microsoft officially documents this task as part of the Windows updates process. Microsoft suggests disabling this task as a measure to reduce data collection and improve performance. This recommendation is also supported by Citrix for optimization purposes. Overview of default task statuses - "\\Microsoft\\Windows\\InstallService\\ScanForUpdates": | OS Version | Default status | | -...

Disable "ScanForUpdatesAsUser" task

This script disables the "ScanForUpdatesAsUser" scheduled task. This task is responsible for performing update scans under user-specific contexts. Microsoft officially documents this task as part of the Windows updates process. Microsoft suggests disabling this task as a measure to reduce data collection and improve performance. This recommendation is also supported by Citrix for optimization purposes. Overview of default task statuses - "\\Microsoft\\Windows\\InstallService\\ScanForUpdatesAsUser": ...

Disable "SmartRetry" task

This script disables the "SmartRetry" scheduled task. This task handles the automatic retrying of failed updates, attempting to redownload or reinstall updates that didn't install successfully on the first try. Microsoft officially documents this task as part of the Windows updates process. Microsoft suggests disabling this task as a measure to reduce data collection and improve performance. This recommendation is also supported by Citrix for optimization purposes. Overview of default task statu...

Disable "Scheduled Start" task

This script disables the "Scheduled Start" scheduled task. This task initiates the Windows Update service at predetermined times or under specific conditions to perform tasks like checking for and installing updates. According to the Task Scheduler, this task initiates the Windows Update service for scheduled operations like scans. It executes "%SYSTEMROOT%\\System32\\sc.exe start wuauserv". Overview of default task statuses - "\\Microsoft\\Windows\\WindowsUpdate\\Scheduled Start": | OS Version ...

Disable "Report policies" task

This script disables the "Report policies" scheduled task. This task might be responsible for reporting policy-related information to Windows Update or other system management tools. According to the Task Scheduler, this task executes "%SYSTEMROOT%\\System32\\UsoClient.exe ReportPolicies". Overview of default task statuses - "\\Microsoft\\Windows\\UpdateOrchestrator\\Report policies": | OS Version | Default status | | ---------------- | ------ | | Windows 10 22H2 | 🟢 Ready | | Windows 11 22H2 ...

Disable "Schedule Maintenance Work" task

This script disables the "Schedule Maintenance Work" scheduled task. This task is responsible for performing maintenance activities related to Windows Update, such as cleanup operations or preparation steps for update installations. According to the Task Scheduler, this task executes "%SYSTEMROOT%\\System32\\UsoClient.exe StartMaintenanceWork". Overview of default task statuses - "\\Microsoft\\Windows\\UpdateOrchestrator\\Schedule Maintenance Work": | OS Version | Default status | | ------------...

Disable "Schedule Scan" task

This script disables the "Schedule Scan" scheduled task. This task responsible for periodically scanning for Windows updates. According to the Task Scheduler, this task executes "%SYSTEMROOT%\\System32\\UsoClient.exe StartScan". Overview of default task statuses - "\\Microsoft\\Windows\\UpdateOrchestrator\\Schedule Scan": | OS Version | Default status | | ---------------- | ------ | | Windows 10 22H2 | 🟢 Ready | | Windows 11 22H2 | 🟢 Ready | | Windows 11 23H2 | 🟢 Ready |

Disable "Schedule Scan Static Task" task

This script disables the "Schedule Scan Static Task" scheduled task. This task is responsible for running update scans at static, predefined intervals. According to the Task Scheduler, this task conducts a scheduled Windows Update scan. It executes "%SYSTEMROOT%\\System32\\UsoClient.exe StartScan". Overview of default task statuses - "\\Microsoft\\Windows\\UpdateOrchestrator\\Schedule Scan Static Task": | OS Version | Default status | | ---------------- | ------ | | Windows 10 22H2 | 🟢 Ready | ...

Disable "Schedule Wake To Work" task

This script disables the "Schedule Wake To Work" scheduled task. This task is responsible for waking the computer from sleep or low-power mode to perform Windows updates. According to the Task Scheduler, this task executes "%SYSTEMROOT%\\System32\\UsoClient.exe StartWork". Overview of default task statuses - "\\Microsoft\\Windows\\UpdateOrchestrator\\Schedule Wake To Work": | OS Version | Default status | | ---------------- | ------ | | Windows 10 22H2 | 🔴 Disabled | | Windows 11 22H2 | 🔴 Disa...

Disable "Schedule Work" task

This script disables the "Schedule Work" scheduled task. This task is responsible for scheduling and initiating Windows updates processes at predetermined times. According to the Task Scheduler, this task executes "%SYSTEMROOT%\\System32\\UsoClient.exe StartWork". Overview of default task statuses - "\\Microsoft\\Windows\\UpdateOrchestrator\\Schedule Work": | OS Version | Default status | | ---------------- | ------ | | Windows 10 22H2 | 🔴 Disabled | | Windows 11 22H2 | 🔴 Disabled | | Windows ...

Disable "UpdateModelTask" task

This script disables the "UpdateModelTask Work" scheduled task. This task is responsible for updating Machine Learning (ML) models related to Windows Updates. According to the Task Scheduler, its purpose is to update ML models and it executes "%SYSTEMROOT%\\System32\\UsoClient.exe StartModelUpdates". Microsoft suggests disabling it for performance optimization and reduced data collection. Overview of default task statuses - "\\Microsoft\\Windows\\UpdateOrchestrator\\UpdateModelTask": | OS Version ...

Disable "Start Oobe Expedite Work" task

This script disables the "Start Oobe Expedite Work" scheduled task. This task is responsible for performing tasks related to the "out-of-box experience" (OOBE) in Windows, such as updating system settings, applications, or features soon after a system update or initial setup. According to the Task Scheduler, its purpose is to perform a scheduled Windows Update scan. It executes "%SYSTEMROOT%\\System32\\UsoClient.exe StartWork". Overview of default task statuses - `\\Microsoft\\Windows\\UpdateOrchestr...

Disable "StartOobeAppsScan_LicenseAccepted" task

This script disables the "StartOobeAppsScanLicenseAccepted" scheduled task. This task is responsible for initiating a scan of applications as part of the OOBE process, after a license agreement is accepted, verifying that apps are up-to-date. According to the Task Scheduler, its purpose is to perform a scheduled Windows Update scan. It executes "%SYSTEMROOT%\\System32\\UsoClient.exe StartOobeAppsScan". Overview of default task statuses - `\\Microsoft\\Windows\\UpdateOrchestrator\\StartOobeAppsScanLi...

Disable "StartOobeAppsScan_OobeAppReady" task

This script disables the "StartOobeAppsScanOobeAppReady" scheduled task. This task is responsible for scanning applications during the OOBE phase, verifying that apps are ready for use after system updates. According to the Task Scheduler, it performs a scheduled Windows Update scan. It executes "%SYSTEMROOT%\\System32\\UsoClient.exe StartOobeAppsScan". Overview of default task statuses - "\\Microsoft\\Windows\\UpdateOrchestrator\\StartOobeAppsScanOobeAppReady": | OS Version | Default status |...

Disable "StartOobeAppsScanAfterUpdate" task

This script disables the "StartOobeAppsScanAfterUpdate" scheduled task. This task is responsible for scanning applications following a system update, as part of the OOBE process, to verify that all applications are compatible with the new update. According to the Task Scheduler, it performs a scheduled Windows Update scan. It executes "%SYSTEMROOT%\\System32\\UsoClient.exe StartOobeAppsScanAfterUpdate". Overview of default task statuses - `\\Microsoft\\Windows\\UpdateOrchestrator\\StartOobeAppsScanAft...

Disable "USO_UxBroker" task

This script disables the "USO_UxBroker" scheduled task. This task is related to the User Experience (UX) Broker process in Windows, managing user notifications or interactions required after an update. According to the Task Scheduler, this task is responsible for triggering a system reboot following update installations. It executes "%SYSTEMROOT%\\System32\\MusNotification.exe". Disabling this task is recommended to reduce data collection and enhance system performance. Overview of default task st...

Disable "UUS Failover Task" task

This script disables the "UUS Failover Task" scheduled task. This task is responsible for the failover mechanism for updates, designed to handle scenarios where a primary update process fails or encounters issues. According to the Task Scheduler, this task is responsible for performing a scheduled Windows Update scan. It executes "%SYSTEMROOT%\\System32\\UsoClient.exe HandleUusFailoverSignal". Overview of default task statuses - "\\Microsoft\\Windows\\UpdateOrchestrator\\UUS Failover Task": | OS Versi...

Disable "PerformRemediation" task

This script disables the "PerformRemediation" scheduled task in Windows. This task performs recovery actions for update-related services to ensure they run in a supported configuration. Disabling this task enhances privacy by reducing automatic system changes and limiting data collection related to updates. It enhances control over system settings, letting users manage update configuration tasks without being overridden by the system. It improves performance by preventing unnecessary background ...

Disable outdated Windows Update tasks

This script disables older scheduled tasks associated with Windows updates, which are no longer present in Windows versions since Windows 10 22H2 and Windows 11 22H2. The script is compatible with Windows 10 and newer versions, skipping any missing tasks on recent systems. These tasks are linked to specific system files and are involved in various update processes, such as downloading and installing updates, rebooting after updates, and more. Disabling these tasks can help reduce unnecessary sys...

Explore Categories​

This action belongs to Disable automatic updates category. Disabling automatic updates is often considered counterintuitive when it comes to securing your system. However, there are substantial arguments to consider this option if you're privacy-centric: 1. Patching and Pre-Approval: Manual control over update deployment allows for pre-emptive... Read more on category page ▶

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