How to Stop Windows 10 Update in Progress in 3 Ways

Jean updated on Apr 19, 2024 | Home >Computer Instruction

How to stop Windows 10 update in progress? How to cancel Windows update in progress even started? Check the three simple methods here to stop windows update in progress. 

Workable Solutions Step-by-step Troubleshooting
Fix 1. Stop automatic maintenance Open Windows 10 search box, type "Control Panel" and hit the "Enter" button. Click "System and...Full steps
Fix 2. Stop updates in the Services Type Services in the Windows 10 Search Windows box. When the Services application appears...Full steps
Fix 3. Stop Windows 10 Pro update   Press Windows + R keys to start the Run window. Type gpedit.msc and click "OK". Go to...Full steps

Downloading and installing the Windows updates automatically on your system can keep your system up to date and make your computer more secure. This is because each update includes patches for security. But nonetheless, many users still want to stop or cancel Windows update in progress. The solutions presented in this article are applicable to Windows 10 users of Home, Pro, and Enterprise who are looking for answers to the following questions.

  • How to stop Windows 10 update in progress
  • How to stop Windows update in progress once started
  • How to cancel an unwanted Windows 10 update
  • How to interrupt Windows 10 updates while updating

As you can tell, people are asking the same question using different expressions. All in all, they are downloading an update by default and want to have it canceled. How to do it? Follow the easy and useful methods below. But you should know that, if you disable or stop Windows 10 updates, your computer will be left vulnerable to attack. So think twice before you stop Windows update in progress.

How to Stop Windows 10 Update in Progress on Blue Screen

If your PC has already started installing the update, your computer will be on a blue screen showing the progress percentage and telling you not to turn off your computer. You should do what it says and let the update complete. You should never shut down your device to stop the update in progress. This can cause serious damage to Windows and make your computer unusable. When the process finishes, you can either uninstall the update or use Windows 10's rollback option to set your computer back to the previous version. 

1. Stop Windows 10 Automatic Maintenance to Stop Update 

If the Windows 10 update has not been installed, even if you have already downloaded it, you can still stop it instantly. You just need to stop the "maintenance" of Windows itself. Follow the following steps correctly. 

Step 1. Open Windows 10 search box, type "Control Panel" and hit the "Enter" button.

Step 2. Click "System and Security" option.

open system and security in windows 10

Step 3. Now, click the "Security and Maintenance" option. 

open system and maintenance in windows 10

Step 4. On the right side of Maintenance, click the button to expand the settings. Here you will hit the "Stop maintenance" to stop Windows 10 update in progress.

stop windows 10 maintenance

2. How to Stop Windows 10 Update in Progress in Services

How to disable Windows 10 update permanently and stop Windows 10 update at any time in the immediate future, you can turn off Windows automatic updates entirely. This also can cancel Windows update in progress.

Step 1. Type Services in the Windows 10 Search Windows box. When the Services application appears in the search results, right-click on it and select "Run as Administrator".

open services in windows 10

Step 2. In the Services window, you will find out the list of all the services running in the background. You need to scroll down until you find the Windows Update service. As you can see from its status, the Windows Update is running.

windows 10 update service is running

Step 3. Here you need to right-click "Windows Update", and from the context menu, select "Stop". Alternatively, you can click on the "Stop" link available under the Windows Update option on the top left side of the window.

stop windows update service

Step 4. A small dialogue box will appear, showing you the process to stop the progress. Close the window once finished.

stop windows update service

Since the Windows 10 system update you've just now canceled has been already downloaded on your computer, it's insignificant to keep such an update package with a large file size on your computer. Luckily, you can use EaseUS partition manager to delete Windows 10 update files you've canceled in progress and free up disk space.

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3. How to Stop Windows Update in Progress in Windows 10 Pro

For Windows 10 Professional users, there is an additional method to apply to stop Windows 10 updates in progress by using Windows 10 Group Policy Editor. Some users may prefer this method to stop and cancel the update. Note: This solution isn’t available in the Windows Home edition.

Step 1. Press Windows + R keys to start the Run window. Type gpedit.msc and click "OK".

Step 2. Go to "Computer Configuration" > "Administrative Templates" > "Windows Components" > "Windows Update".

Step 3. Find and click "Configure Automatic Updates". On the pop-up window, tick "Disabled", then click "Apply" and "OK".

stop windows 10 professional update in progress

Summary: After trying the three ways above correctly, we believe you have stopped Windows 10 update in progress successfully. You can also reverse these steps and allow Windows 10 automatic updates.

People Also Ask

1. How do I stop a Windows Update in Progress?

Here are three ways to stop a Windows update in progress, either stop update in service, or stop Windows automatic maintenance, or using the Windows 10 Group Policy Editor for Windows 10 Professional users.

2. What happens if you turn off computer during update?

When your computer system has already started the installation of the update, you can’t stop update in progress on the blue screen. Otherwise, you risk damaging your Windows install, which could make your system unusable.

3. What do I do if my computer is stuck updating?

If Windows 10 update stuck at checking for updates, you could try to fix by stopping Windows update service, deleting all files in "DataStore" and "Download" folder, or starting windows update service in the Command prompt window. 

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Updated by Daisy

Daisy is the Senior editor of the writing team for EaseUS. She has been working at EaseUS for over ten years, starting as a technical writer and moving on to being a team leader of the content group. As a professional author for over ten years, she writes a lot to help people overcome their tech troubles.

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Written by Jean

Jean is recognized as one of the most professional writers in EaseUS. She has kept improving her writing skills over the past 10 years and helped millions of her readers solve their tech problems on PC, Mac, and iOS devices.

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