How do I stop software updates slowing my PC?
QI use several computer-aided design (CAD) tools that mean my laptop is often working overtime, as they crunch the numbers. Inevitably, some program will decide that this would be a great time for an update – and everything slows down.
I’ve previously ticked the relevant boxes in Windows that state which hours the machine is being used and I don’t want any interruptions when they install, but I cannot control when they download. This slows everything to a crawl. Is there any way to disable all downloads until I decide? Or should I just rip off the blasted screen in frustration and be done with it?
AWe’ve certainly shared your frustration at times, but we’re afraid there isn’t one single universal setting that disables all downloads. Setting the active hours, as you’ve done, only prevents restarts, not downloads – as you’ve discovered.
Moreover, beyond Windows itself, every program can do its own thing, pretty much to its own schedule.
However, there are a couple of options that you may not have found that could help. First, you can prevent Microsoft Store apps updating automatically.
To do this, in the Store app, click your user icon at the top right then choose Settings. Next, under Settings, click the ‘App updates’ slider to the Off position (see screenshot 1 ). Next, you can limit the amount of bandwidth that Windows and other Microsoft tools can use for downloads. As this seems to be at the root of your problem, it might help.
First click Start followed by the Settings cog, then ‘Update & Security’ followed by Delivery Optimisation and then ‘Advanced options’. Then, under ‘Download settings’, choose either the Absolute or Percentage option and then choose to set a low or the lowest (that’s 0.1Mbps for Absolute 2 or 5 per cent for Percentage 2 ). Also tick both boxes to limit both background and foreground downloads.