Group Policy method, Isn't that time limited also? I have read (right or wrong) that even doing it via Group Policy, eventually, Windows 10 will update itself regardless, so I didn't bother pursuing that avenue after my experience with disabling the Win Update Service, assuming all bases would be covered by Microsoft one way or another.

Matron Landslide
Group Policy method, Isn't that time limited also? I have read (right or wrong) that even doing it via Group Policy, eventually, Windows 10 will update itself regardless, so I didn't bother pursuing that avenue after my experience with disabling the Win Update Service, assuming all bases would be covered by Microsoft one way or another.

With Pro there are a number of options, most useful is number of days delayed and business cycle. You can also pause by a number of days. These settings won't get reset.

If you want to delay indefinitely then you need Enterprise.

Best look at the link.

I did some digging into this and the nerd squad all say the same thing,, eventually, all versions of w10 will update because of security issues. This can be delayed with the Business gizmo in pro but only about 6 months, So it's a loosing battle. I have Sonar Splat and Home Studio on
3x W 7
1X W 8.1
3x W 10
 
We'll see how it pans out. My main DAW is 8.1 and so far it's smooth sailing. I'm pretty fed up with re authorizing AD2 and iLok and e licencer just because W10 screws this up.  

That's what I figured, it's all pretty much just buying time, as I discovered Windows will eventually win. The updates don't really concern me as such anymore, they did have me a little concerned way back when I started disabling, but they have never caused me an issue apart from having to reauthorize a couple of plugins when I did let them through. Now that I have found it's a lossing battle, I am prepared to let it be. The recent Intel bug thing and reported possible performance hit from the 'fix' concerned me a little, so I just disabled network connection for my 2 main DAW's to be sure, after a while if the reports are good I'll  reconnect them and let them do the update dance again. For convenience sake I would like them connected to the network, I rarely if ever fire up SONAR Platinum so don't really care if it gets hosed by some future update.

I just go into the setting for the network adapter and set the dns to manual and enter 2 invalid dns. I'm using 1.2.3.4 and 5.6.7.8
I can still access my local lan but can't resolve a name to get to the internet.

Cactus Music
I did some digging into this and the nerd squad all say the same thing,, eventually, all versions of w10 will update because of security issues. This can be delayed with the Business gizmo in pro but only about 6 months, So it's a loosing battle. I have Sonar Splat and Home Studio on
3x W 7
1X W 8.1
3x W 10
 
We'll see how it pans out. My main DAW is 8.1 and so far it's smooth sailing. I'm pretty fed up with re authorizing AD2 and iLok and e licencer just because W10 screws this up.  

Not the enterprise version. That's total control.
With AD2 the issue is with the way they do the authorization not Windows otherwise all the other software would have problems.

Ultimately if you don't want to install patches on Win10 then best take offline and never install software again. Not even patches or updates for applications.

For me delaying Windows update and being on the business ring works just fine, I've never had a problem whilst watching others handle the bugs. I worked out reauthorizing AD2 takes 6-10 minutes of my life per year and I've avoided iLok.

I probably spent 0.5 to 1 days per year making fine adjustments to Windows performance as well.

Tom Riggs
I just go into the setting for the network adapter and set the dns to manual and enter 2 invalid dns. I'm using 1.2.3.4 and 5.6.7.8
I can still access my local lan but can't resolve a name to get to the internet.

That may bring performance problems ultimately.
If you don't want access to the internet remove the gateway.

Thanks everyone so much for your input on this.  I ended up going into the settings for my Network adapter and changing the default gateway settings to a single digit number (1) and that's it.  I left the assigned IP address and the DNS server settings alone.

This immediately took my machine offline from the internet, however, as I suspected might be the case, I am still very much connected to the network!!! Yesssss!!  I have access to the studio server, and I also still have V Control access!!  Whoohoo!!

Now fingers crossed that SPLAT will continue to work seamless while offline until I can wrap up these projects.

Thanks again everyone!

You could also additionally to ensure not accidental discover IP again by your computer to block access on router if possible (your ethernet card has unique MAC address).
 
For instance exclude that computer from beeing served by DHCP service on router and if possible (depends on router - creates direct rule to block it).

Piotr
You could also additionally to ensure not accidental discover IP again by your computer to block access on router if possible (your ethernet card has unique MAC address).
 
For instance exclude that computer from beeing served by DHCP service on router and if possible (depends on router - creates direct rule to block it).

This method will kill the local LAN as well.
If you want to completely disable the internet you just need to disable the network adapter in device manager, that's it. Sure add a rule if you are paranoid it may get reenabled.
If you want LAN but not internet then remove the gateway.