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Disable "Windows Update" ("wuauserv") service

Overview​

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

This script turns off the Windows Update service, which is technically known as Windows Update Agent 1 2. By disabling this service, the automatic detection, download, and installation of updates for both Windows and other installed programs are halted 3 4.

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 they take effect.

By default, the service is enabled and set to start up manually 5.

If you disable this service, you won't be able to use the Windows Update feature for automatic updates 5. Additionally, other software on your computer won't be able to access the functionalities provided by the Windows Update Agent, commonly known as WUA API 5.

Caution

This script stops Windows Update Agent's ability to check for and manage system updates. This means your system won't automatically receive important updates, which could leave it vulnerable to specific security risks and performance issues over time.

Overview of default service statuses​

OS VersionStatusStart type
Windows 10 (≥ 22H2)🔴 StoppedManual
Windows 11 (≥ 23H2)🔴 StoppedManual

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Not Advised

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

Implementation Details

  • Language: batch

  • Required Privileges: Administrator rights

  • Compatibility: Windows only

  • Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories​

This action belongs to Disable Windows update services category. 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... Read more on category page ▶

Apply now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

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

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy​

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

Open privacy.sexy

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 script name: Disable "Windows Update" (wuauserv) service.
  3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download​

Irreversible Changes

This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.

  1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

    Download script

  2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Download revert script​

This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.

Download restore script

Alternative 3. Copy​

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
HELP: Step-by-step guide

  1. Click on Start menu

  2. Type cmd

  3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

  4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt

Animation showing how to open terminal as administrator on Windows 11

  1. Copy the following code:
Code to apply changes
:: Disable service(s): `wuauserv`
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$serviceName = 'wuauserv'; Write-Host "^""Disabling service: `"^""$serviceName`"^""."^""; <# -- 1. Skip if service does not exist #>; $service = Get-Service -Name $serviceName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue; if(!$service) { Write-Host "^""Service `"^""$serviceName`"^"" could not be not found, no need to disable it."^""; Exit 0; }; <# -- 2. Stop if running #>; if ($service.Status -eq [System.ServiceProcess.ServiceControllerStatus]::Running) { Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is running, stopping it."^""; try { Stop-Service -Name "^""$serviceName"^"" -Force -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host "^""Stopped `"^""$serviceName`"^"" successfully."^""; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Could not stop `"^""$serviceName`"^"", it will be stopped after reboot: $_"^""; }; } else { Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is not running, no need to stop."^""; }; <# -- 3. Skip if already disabled #>; $startupType = $service.StartType <# Does not work before .NET 4.6.1 #>; if (!$startupType) { $startupType = (Get-WmiObject -Query "^""Select StartMode From Win32_Service Where Name='$serviceName'"^"" -ErrorAction Ignore).StartMode; if(!$startupType) { $startupType = (Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Service -Property StartMode -Filter "^""Name='$serviceName'"^"" -ErrorAction Ignore).StartMode; }; }; if ($startupType -eq 'Disabled') { Write-Host "^""$serviceName is already disabled, no further action is needed"^""; Exit 0; }; <# -- 4. Disable service #>; try { Set-Service -Name "^""$serviceName"^"" -StartupType Disabled -Confirm:$false -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host "^""Disabled `"^""$serviceName`"^"" successfully."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Could not disable `"^""$serviceName`"^"": $_"^""; }"
  1. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
  2. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

Copy restore code​

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code
:: Restore service(s) to default state: `wuauserv`
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$serviceName = 'wuauserv'; $defaultStartupMode = 'Manual'; $ignoreMissingOnRevert =  $false; Write-Host "^""Reverting service `"^""$serviceName`"^"" start to `"^""$defaultStartupMode`"^""."^""; <# -- 1. Skip if service does not exist #>; $service = Get-Service -Name $serviceName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue; if (!$service) { if ($ignoreMissingOnRevert) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: The service `"^""$serviceName`"^"" is not found. No action required."^""; Exit 0; }; Write-Warning "^""Failed to revert changes to the service `"^""$serviceName`"^"". The service is not found."^""; Exit 1; }; <# -- 2. Enable or skip if already enabled #>; $startupType = $service.StartType <# Does not work before .NET 4.6.1 #>; if (!$startupType) { $startupType = (Get-WmiObject -Query "^""Select StartMode From Win32_Service Where Name='$serviceName'"^"" -ErrorAction Ignore).StartMode; if (!$startupType) { $startupType = (Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Service -Property StartMode -Filter "^""Name='$serviceName'"^"" -ErrorAction Ignore).StartMode; }; }; if ($startupType -eq "^""$defaultStartupMode"^"") { Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" has already expected startup mode: `"^""$defaultStartupMode`"^"". No action required."^""; } else { try { Set-Service -Name "^""$serviceName"^"" -StartupType "^""$defaultStartupMode"^"" -Confirm:$false -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host "^""Reverted `"^""$serviceName`"^"" with `"^""$defaultStartupMode`"^"" start, this may require restarting your computer."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to enable `"^""$serviceName`"^"": $_"^""; Exit 1; }; }; <# -- 4. Start if not running (must be enabled first) #>; if ($defaultStartupMode -eq 'Automatic' -or $defaultStartupMode -eq 'Boot' -or $defaultStartupMode -eq 'System') { if ($service.Status -ne [System.ServiceProcess.ServiceControllerStatus]::Running) { Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is not running, starting it."^""; try { Start-Service $serviceName -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host "^""Started `"^""$serviceName`"^"" successfully."^""; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Failed to start `"^""$serviceName`"^"", requires restart, it will be started after reboot.`r`n$_"^""; }; } else { Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is already running, no need to start."^""; }; }"

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