In order to completely prevent Windows Updates from degrading system performance or causing application crashes you may disable Windows Updates via the following steps:


1) In the search box on the bottom left of the Windows taskbar, type 'Services' and click on 'Services: Desktop App' as seen below:



2) The Services dialogue will open. Scroll down to 'Windows Update' and double click as seen below:



3) The Windows Update Properties dialogue will open. Click on the 'Startup Type' drop-down menu and change to 'disabled' as shown below. 



4) Click 'Apply' and then click 'OK'. Windows Updates will be fully disabled until you revert these settings back to 'Manual'