How to Stop Windows 11 Update Notifications: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / September 4, 2025

Windows 11 is designed to keep itself up to date, ensuring you always have the latest features, bug fixes, and security patches. While that’s great in theory, the constant update notifications can get really annoying—especially if you’re busy working, gaming, or just don’t want to restart your computer right now.

If you’re tired of seeing those pop-ups, you’re in the right place. In this guide, I’ll show you how to stop Windows 11 update notifications with multiple step-by-step methods.

Why Windows 11 Sends Update Notifications

Before we dive into disabling them, let’s quickly understand why they exist:

  • Security: Updates patch vulnerabilities.

  • Performance: Some updates improve speed and stability.

  • Features: Microsoft pushes new features through updates.

  • Reminders: To restart your device when updates are pending.

So while they can be useful, sometimes they just feel like that one friend who won’t stop texting you during a movie.

Is It Safe to Turn Off Update Notifications?

Yes—but with caution.

  • If you manage updates manually, you’re fine.

  • If you completely ignore updates, you might miss important security fixes.

The smarter approach is to disable notifications but still allow updates in the background.

Method 1: Pause Updates Temporarily

If you just want a break from notifications, pausing updates is the easiest option.

Steps to Pause Updates

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

  2. Go to Windows Update.

  3. Click Pause for 1 week (you can extend this up to 5 weeks).

No notifications during the pause period.

Method 2: Disable Update Notifications in Settings

Windows 11 has a built-in setting to silence notifications.

Steps to Disable Update Notifications

  1. Open Settings (Windows + I).

  2. Navigate to System > Notifications.

  3. Scroll down and find Windows Update.

  4. Toggle off the notification switch.

Done—no more annoying reminders.

Method 3: Turn Off Restart Notifications

Sometimes, the update itself isn’t the problem—it’s the constant “Restart required” messages.

Steps

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Go to Windows Update > Advanced options.

  3. Under Notifications, toggle off Notify me when a restart is required to finish updating.

This way, Windows won’t bug you after updates are installed.

Method 4: Use Group Policy Editor (Pro & Enterprise Only)

If you’re on Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, you can use the Group Policy Editor for more control.

Steps

  1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.

  2. Navigate to:

    Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage end user experience

  3. Double-click Display options for update notifications.

  4. Select Disabled.

  5. Click Apply > OK.

Now, no more pop-up nags.

Method 5: Tweak the Registry (Advanced Users)

If you’re on Windows 11 Home, you don’t have Group Policy—but you can use the Registry.

⚠️ Warning: Be careful editing the Registry. One wrong move can cause problems.

Steps

  1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

  2. Navigate to:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

  3. Right-click in the right pane > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

  4. Name it SetUpdateNotificationLevel.

  5. Set its value to 0.

Restart your computer, and notifications should stop.

Method 6: Stop Windows Update Service

This method completely halts update services (not just notifications).

Steps

  1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.

  2. Find Windows Update in the list.

  3. Right-click > Properties.

  4. Change Startup type to Disabled.

  5. Click Stop, then Apply.

⚠️ Downside: Your system won’t get updates until you re-enable this service.

Method 7: Use Focus Assist to Hide Notifications

Focus Assist acts like “Do Not Disturb” mode.

Steps

  1. Press Windows + I.

  2. Go to System > Focus assist.

  3. Choose Alarms only.

This silences all update notifications while you’re working or gaming.

Method 8: Block Update Notifications via Task Scheduler

Windows sometimes uses scheduled tasks to trigger update alerts.

Steps

  1. Press Windows + R, type taskschd.msc, and hit Enter.

  2. Navigate to:

    Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows > WindowsUpdate

  3. Disable tasks like Scheduled Start and Automatic App Update.

Method 9: Use Third-Party Tools

Several free tools give you control over Windows Update behavior:

  • StopUpdates10

  • Wu10Man

  • Windows Update Blocker

These let you disable update notifications with a click.

Method 10: Adjust Active Hours

Instead of disabling notifications entirely, you can set Active Hours so Windows won’t bother you during work.

Steps

  1. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options.

  2. Under Active hours, set your usual work time.

Windows won’t push restart notifications during this period.

Method 11: Disable Notifications from Action Center

You can also silence them at the Action Center level.

Steps

  1. Press Windows + A to open Quick Settings.

  2. Right-click Notifications.

  3. Turn off update-related alerts.

Method 12: Use Metered Connection

Marking your Wi-Fi as metered delays updates, and notifications usually stop too.

Steps

  1. Open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi.

  2. Select your Wi-Fi network.

  3. Toggle on Metered connection.

Method 13: Disable Windows Update Restart Reminders

Another way is through advanced settings.

Steps

  1. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options.

  2. Toggle off Show a notification when your PC requires a restart.

Method 14: Use CMD or PowerShell

If you like command-line tools, here’s how to stop update notifications.

Steps

  • Open PowerShell as Admin.

  • Type:

    net stop wuauserv
    net stop bits

This stops the Windows Update service temporarily.

Method 15: Manually Check for Updates Instead

If you disable notifications, make sure to manually check updates once in a while:

  1. Press Windows + I.

  2. Go to Windows Update.

  3. Click Check for updates.

That way, you still stay secure.

Best Practices When Disabling Update Notifications

  • Don’t completely block updates forever.

  • At least check once a month manually.

  • Always back up before big updates.

  • Combine “pause updates” with disabling notifications for a balanced approach.

Conclusion

Windows 11 update notifications can be helpful—but more often than not, they’re just interruptions. Thankfully, you’ve got plenty of ways to control them. Whether you want to pause updates temporarily, tweak settings, disable them via Group Policy or Registry, or even block them completely, the choice is yours.

Just remember: updates keep your system secure. The smart move is to silence notifications but still update your PC regularly on your own terms.

FAQs

Q1: Will disabling update notifications stop updates entirely?
No—Windows will still download updates unless you disable the service itself.

Q2: Can I stop update notifications only for restarts?
Yes—just turn off the restart notification option in Advanced Update Settings.

Q3: Do third-party tools to block updates work safely?
Yes, as long as you download them from official sites.

Q4: How often should I manually check for updates if I turn off notifications?
At least once a month to stay secure.

Q5: Can I turn notifications back on later?
Absolutely—just reverse the settings in System > Notifications or Windows Update options.

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