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tl; dr: keep low disk space on OS drive to disable Windows updates.

I have a Windows 10 install for occasional things (this time properly playing HDR content on an SDR monitor, as Linux can't handle it well). But it insists on downloading lots of updates every time since I boot it only once a month or so. Today it refused to due to insufficient disk space (I have a smaller SSD partition for the OS, a larger HDD one for the user files). Well darn, I guess it won't be able to force updates and restarts on me and I'll be able to use it to just watch an HDR movie in peace.

Update: it still managed to apply some, and now I can't even open the Devices section of settings, screen just blinks momentarily but nothing happens. LOL.

tl; dr: keep low disk space on OS drive to disable Windows updates. I have a Windows 10 install for occasional things (this time properly playing HDR content on an SDR monitor, as Linux can't handle it well). But it insists on downloading lots of updates every time since I boot it only once a month or so. Today it refused to due to insufficient disk space (I have a smaller SSD partition for the OS, a larger HDD one for the user files). Well darn, I guess it won't be able to force updates and restarts on me and I'll be able to use it to just watch an HDR movie in peace. Update: it still managed to apply some, and now I can't even open the Devices section of settings, screen just blinks momentarily but nothing happens. LOL.

(post is archived)

[–] • 3 pts (edited )

Or simply install one of a multiple tools that are disabling all the spyware and auto-updates.

Then consider using Linux as your main OS.

[–] • 2 pts

windows update

windows key+r "services.msc" Scroll down to "Windows Update" and double click. Select "Disabled" in the "Startup Type" drop down. Click apply, clock okay, close the services.msc window.

OR

windows key + r "gpedit.msc" Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update. Double click "Configure automatic updates" on the right side of the window. Select "Disabled" from the radio buttons in the top left. Click apply, then click ok then close gpedit.msc

[–] [deleted] • 1 pt

run disk cleanup cleanmgr.exe and scroll through the list, making sure to check the option for Windows Updates so that it will clear all the past installed updates that are still kept in case you wish to uninstall an update. You can also run cleanmgr.exe /verylowdisk or cleanmgr.exe /autoclean

[–] • 0 pt

This is a stupid idea. Yes it's bloated as hell and windows sucks etc. But if you are going to use Windows you should keep it patched and updated they do issue fixes that protects against malware and other security issues.