Turning off Windows Update on Windows Server 2023 should be approached with caution, as regular updates are essential for the security and stability of your server. However, if you have specific reasons for temporarily disabling updates, here is the easiest and fastest way to do it:
Using Group Policy (Local Group Policy Editor):
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Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
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Type gpedit.msc and press Enter. This will open the Local Group Policy Editor.
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In the Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to: Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Update
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In the right pane, double-click on Configure Automatic Updates.
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Select the Disabled option to turn off Windows Update.
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Click Apply and then OK.
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Close the Local Group Policy Editor.
Please note that this method will disable Windows Updates entirely, which is generally not recommended for production servers. It’s crucial to keep your server up to date for security and performance reasons.
After completing your specific task or troubleshooting, be sure to re-enable Windows Updates by following the same steps and selecting Not Configured or Enabled (depending on your update preference) in the Configure Automatic Updates setting.
Remember to use this method responsibly, and only disable updates temporarily if necessary, ensuring that you enable them again once your server maintenance or troubleshooting is complete.
