How to turn off automatic updates of the WordPress core

Question

I have two dozen installations of WordPress on my servers and until my most recent install, I have had to manually update versions (my preferred method). But this morning I received that a notice that this latest install updated to 5.7.2 automatically. I'd like to turn this off but only see a way to toggle minor vs. major updates on the Update screen. There is no mention of updates in wp-config.php, however, there are settings in wp_options that show auto_update_core_major is disabled (I just did this via the Update screen) and now auto_update_core_minor is enabled. I searched the "Interwebs" on how to turn this off. Is this the default? and can it only be overridden by wp-config.php or the MySQL command line?

This thread (ibid. #131334) explains some random process, but that doesn't seem very safe and a bit domineering.

Thanks, Brad

Update: Best explanation: wpengine.com.au/resources/disable-auto-update

Answer 1

In wp-config.php add

// Disable all wordpress auto updates. 
define('AUTOMATIC_UPDATER_DISABLED', true);
define('WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', false);

In functions.php add

// Disable auto plugin updates
add_filter('auto_update_plugin', '__return_false');

// Disable auto theme updates
add_filter('auto_update_theme', '__return_false');