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Disable Windows update services

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
  • Impact: Medium

    System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: Moderate

    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.

    This action improves privacy with some impact when you run the recommended script.
  • Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
  • 4 scripts
  • No subcategories
  • 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​

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.

  1. 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 tracking

    Decreased Security

    Some security features will be disabled or limited

    This script can be reversed, this action allows you to can restore the system security.

  2. Use with Caution

    This script is only recommended if you understand its implications.

    Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

    This script can be fully reversed to restore changes if something goes wrong.

Apply Now​

Choose one of two ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Free
  • Open-source

High — Advanced Privacy​

  • For advanced privacy-conscious users
  • May affect some features

Read more about High and other protection levels

Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Windows update services" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 6 instructions
  1. 1

    Choose protection

    Choose one of the options with different impact levels:

    • High

      Some potentially impactful changes with moderate system impact.

    • Maximum

      Some impactful changes with high system impact.
  2. 2

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  3. 3

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  4. 4

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  5. 5

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  6. 6

    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
  • Shows the code
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Windows update services" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the category name: Disable Windows update services
    2. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.

    Applying High to limit the impact.

  3. 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.

Explore This Guide​

  • 4 Privacy settings

Choose what to protect based on your needs:

Click any option to learn more about what it does.

Each change can be applied and reversed individually.

Some settings and commands may require technical knowledge to apply correctly.

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...

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.

See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.

These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.

Disabling automatic updates is often considered counterintuitive when it comes to securing your system. However, there are substantial arguments to consider this o...
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Same Goal​

Other guides in Disable automatic updates 

See settings that are in the same category as this guide.

Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.

See all 7 guides

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

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

  • Public review by large community​

    • 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.

Review Change History Our Change Process