Windows 10 Pro & Up

How to prevent automatic updates using the Registry

Use Windows+R key to open the Run command and write "regedit" and click OK to open the Registry.
Browse the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

Right-click the Windows (folder) key, select New, and then click Key.
Name the new key WindowsUpdate and press Enter.
Right-click the newly created key, select new, and click Key.
Name the new key AU and press Enter.
Inside the newly created key, right-click on the right side, select New, and click on DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Name the new key AUOptions and press Enter.
Double-click the newly created key and change its value using one of the following options:

2 - "Notify for download and notify for install."
3 - "Auto download and notify for install."
4 - "Auto download and schedule the install."
5 - "Allow local admin to choose settings."

Click OK.
Close the Registry to complete the task.
Although you can use any of these available values, your best choice is to change the value to 2 to configure the "Notify for download and notify for install" option. Using this value prevents Windows 10 from downloading updates automatically, and you'll get a notification when new updates are available.

After tweaking the Registry, when new updates become available, you'll receive a notification in Action Center, but updates won't download and install until you're ready and do the following:

Open Settings.
Click on Update & security.
Click on Windows Update.
Click the Download button.