How to stop Windows Update service from using up too much CPU?

When I open my laptop lid, it seems like it becomes very sluggish for the next 20-30 minutes. I checked the Task Manager and it turns out that the following service runs at a constant 50% CPU utilization:

Quote:

wuauserv - Windows Update

and only if I stop it things come to normal.

Is there any other way to fix this?

Well you could open Windows Update, click "Change settings" and select "Never check for updates (not recommended)" in the Important updates drop-down list. It would then be up to you to open Windows Update and click "Check for updates" at times more convenient for you. Of course nearly all Windows updates are released on a Tuesday during the first half of each month, but important updates could be released at any time.

It has been observed that Windows Update became much more resource-intensive after Windows 10 was released this summer. Most who complained were running 32-bit Vista: http://www.vistax64.com/windows-updates/303992-windows-update-just-seems-hang-while-checking.html