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Disable Windows update services

Overview​

About this category

This category contains privacy scripts for Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

The scripts in this category offer users the ability to control Windows services related to system updates. These services manage how and when your system receives updates from Microsoft. By limiting or disabling these services, users can decide when to update their system, reducing unexpected changes. Moreover, a system with fewer running services uses fewer resources, which can improve overall performance.

Disabling these update services is also a privacy measure. Some updates can change privacy settings or add features that collect user data. By controlling update services, users can review and approve any changes before they take effect.

Caution

Disabling Windows update services may lead to missed critical security patches and feature updates. Consider the balance between maintaining privacy and ensuring system security and stability.

Caution: Mixed Risk Levels

Be careful running these scripts. This category includes scripts with high impact:

  • 🔴 Some not recommended scripts. They should only be used by advanced users. They may break important functionality.
  • 🟡 Some recommended scripts only if you understand its implications. Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this this category.
Implementation Details

  • Language: batch

  • Scripts Count: 4 scripts

  • Required Privileges: Administrator rights

  • Compatibility: Windows only

  • Reversibility: All changes can be reverted

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. Additionally, you can apply only the recommended scripts, instead of applying all of the scripts.

privacy.sexy instructions
  1. Open or download the desktop application
  2. Search for the category name: Disable Windows update services.
  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​

You can choose to apply only scripts with less impact or also those with higher impact:

Strict

Recommended if you understand its implications. It may cause some non-critical features to no longer function correctly.

Scroll

All

Not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality. It provides military-grade privacy, for special use-cases. Do not run it without having backups and system snapshots.

Scroll

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.

Strict​

This script includes Standard and Strict recommendation levels.

Use with Caution

This script is only recommended if you understand their implications of every single change. Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

Download Strict scripts:

Download script

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

Download restore script

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:

Download script

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

Download restore script

Explore further​

This category includes total of 4 scripts but no subcategories.

Explore its 4 scripts:

Disable "Windows Update" ("wuauserv") service

This script turns off the Windows Update service, which is technically known as Windows Update Agent. By disabling this service, the automatic detection, download, and installation of updates for both Windows and other installed programs are halted. Update can often come bundled with changes that could affect your privacy settings or introduce features that collect more of your data. Taking control of when and how updates are applied provides you with the opportunity to review any changes before...

Disable "Update Orchestrator Service" ("UsoSvc")

This script disables the Update Orchestrator Service, also known as "Update Orchestrator Service for Windows Update". This service is in charge of managing the download and installation of Windows updates. By default, the service is enabled and set to start up manually. While updates can be crucial for the security of your system, this service can sometimes install them without your approval. This lack of control can pose risks to your privacy, as data might be sent from your system without your...

Disable "Windows Update Medic Service" ("WaaSMedicSvc")

This script disables the Windows Update Medic Service ("WaaSMedicSvc") and removes its associated files and registry entries. This service runs continuously in the background and maintains Windows Update components. Disabling this service prevents it from reverting your Windows Update settings, such as re-enabling automatic updates without your permission. This gives you more control over your system's update behavior and settings. This script enhances your privacy by reducing data transmission ...

Disable automatically enabling Windows Update Medic Service

This script disables the "upfc.exe" process, preventing it from automatically re-enabling Windows updates. "upfc.exe" is found at "%SYSTEMROOT%\\System32\\upfc.exe". This executable is identified by Microsoft as "Updateability From SCM". SCM refers to the "Service Control Manager (SCM)", a special system process also known as "services.exe". "upfc.exe" is automatically launched by SCM during system startup. It is part of the Windows Update self-healing mechanism. It recovers Windows Update Medic S...

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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