Turn off access to all Windows Update features

Supported OS tags: Windows10, Windows10RT, Windows11, Windows2000, Windows7, Windows8, Windows81, WindowsRT, WindowsRT81, WindowsServer2003, WindowsServer2008, WindowsServer2012, WindowsServer2012R2, WindowsServer2016, WindowsVista, WindowsXP

This policy setting allows you to remove access to Windows Update. If you enable this policy setting, all Windows Update features are removed. This includes blocking access to the Windows Update website at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com, from the Windows Update hyperlink on the Start menu, and also on the Tools menu in Internet Explorer. Windows automatic updating is also disabled; you will neither be notified about nor will you receive critical updates from Windows Update. This policy setting also prevents Device Manager from automatically installing driver updates from the Windows Update website. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, users can access the Windows Update website and enable automatic updating to receive notifications and critical updates from Windows Update. Note: This policy applies only when this PC is configured to connect to an intranet update service using the "Specify intranet Microsoft update service location" policy.

This policy has no additional user input fields.

• User
  Turn off access to the Store

  At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
• Computer
  Turn off access to the Store

  At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
• Computer
  Turn off Automatic Root Certificates Update

  At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems with SP1 or Windows XP Professional with SP2
• Computer
  Turn off downloading of print drivers over HTTP

  At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems with SP1 or Windows XP Professional with SP2
• User
  Turn off downloading of print drivers over HTTP

  At least Windows XP Professional with SP2
• Computer
  Turn off Event Viewer "Events.asp" links

  At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems with SP1 or Windows XP Professional with SP2
• Computer
  Turn off Help and Support Center "Did you know?" content

  At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems with SP1 or Windows XP Professional with SP2
• Computer
  Turn off Help and Support Center Microsoft Knowledge Base search

  At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems with SP1 or Windows XP Professional with SP2
• User
  Turn off Help Experience Improvement Program

  At least Windows Vista
• User
  Turn off Help Ratings

  At least Windows Vista
• Computer
  Turn off Internet Connection Wizard if URL connection is referring to Microsoft.com

  At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems with SP1 or Windows XP Professional with SP2
• User
  Turn off Internet download for Web publishing and online ordering wizards

  At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems or Windows XP Professional with SP2