How to change Windows Update settings using SCONFIG

Validate your current WU settings using SCONFIG

To determine what updates your machine has already installed, follow these steps:

• Open a command prompt with Admin permissions.
• Type sconfig and press Enter.
  • NOTE: There may be a short pause as the tool inspects your system.

     

• Option #5 shows the current configuration of your Windows Update settings.

   

  

Change your Windows Update Settings

To change your Windows Update Settings with SCONFIG, follow these steps:

• Open a command prompt with Admin permissions.
• Type sconfig and press Enter.
  • NOTE: There may be a short pause as the tool inspects your system.

     

• Press 5 and then Enter. This will bring up the following options for you to choose from:

   

  

   

  • (A)utomatic – This will configure your machine to automatically scan, download, install and reboot after applying any updates.
  • (D)ownloadOnly – This will automatically scan, download and notify the admin if updates need to be installed. This is the default setting on Windows Server 2016.
  • (M)anual — This turns Automatic Updates off. Your system will never check for updates.

     

• Press the letter specified in the “( )” and press Enter to apply.
• When the tool applies the configuration you have selected, you will see a message pop-up similar to the one below. Click the OKbutton to dismiss the message. The tool will refresh the menu and option 5 will now show the new configuration.

   

  

   

That’s it, you are all set.