[jeffc]

I don't have "real" internet, I use my smartphone as a hot spot. I also have limited data, so I tell W10 my connection is metered.
It still runs updates, using up all my data, if I let it. I constantly check the win update service to make sure it is disabled, as it keeps re-enabling itself and starting up again! I still like Windows, but I hate Microsoft...

[TomGuy]

I still use Win7 desktop and have had UPDATES turned off for several years. My computer still gets an occasional ‘critical update’ installed without my permission. One way I could tell was having weird things happen. I would have to do a system restore to a date earlier than the ‘critical update’. After the system restore, things seemed to work correctly.

I have not had to do that recently. I assume MS has cut down on the mandatory ‘critical updates’ for Win7.

Too many times over the years, software updates from various companies have created more problems than they solved.