Windows Error: "Windows update has been disabled by your system administrator"

This article describes how to assist with "Windows update has been disabled by your system administrator" error message.

Problem

You receive a message stating, "Windows update has been disabled by your system administrator".

Environment

Windows
System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM)

Resolution

While this message may seem concerning, it is expected for computers being managed by SCCM. The message can be disabled so it does not keep popping up:

1. Click on the action center icon located next to the time in the system icon tray.
2. Click Open Action Center.
3. Click Turn off messages about windows update
4. You're done! The messages should no longer appear on your machine.

Cause

SCCM manages windows updates and overrides the built-in update process. Updates are still being processed, but they are being centrally managed with SCCM.