How To Disable or Delay Windows Automatic Update Restart Prompt

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We all are aware of how Windows keeps reminding us to restart our PCs after it has finished downloading or installing an update. Windows constantly reminding us to restart our PC so it can finish installing a downloaded update isn’t a problem. The problem is that it keeps the reminder on the desktop all the time, which is bothersome. Sometimes if the user isn’t aware of their settings, they might find their PCs restarting independently. 

In this article, we’ll learn how to disable or delay Windows automatic update restart prompt and some other ways to postpone or allot a certain period to restart the PC automatically. These methods work for Windows 7, Windows 11, Windows 10, and any other version of Windows. So without any further ado, let’s begin.

How To Disable or Delay Windows Automatic Update Restart Prompt

Why Delay or Disable the Automatic Update Restart Prompt?

You might wonder if we keep aside the part where some users find the constant reminder for restarting their PCs bothersome; it’s not an issue, right? You are correct. It is a part of Windows’ functionality, and there’s nothing wrong with it. However, some settings may cause the system to restart, leading to a complete shutdown or BSOD. Users may lose important data if specific tasks are open and the system decides to run a restart.

How To Stop or Delay the Automatic Update Restart Prompt in Windows

In this section, we’ll look at some straightforward approaches we can take to disable or stop the automatic update restart prompt in Windows. All these methods can be executed on your PC quickly and can be easily used to revert settings to how they were original. These methods involve tweaking the Group Policy, Registry Editor, and System settings. Here’s all that’s covered:

  1. Scheduling The Time Of Update Installation
  2. Delaying Automatic Update Restart/Reboot
  3. Changing Active Hours Using Windows Settings
  4. Changing Active Hours Using Group Policy Editor
  5. Changing Active Hours Using Windows Registry Editor
  6. Managing Auto Restart Prompts Using Notification Settings

Let’s now have a detailed look at all of these methods.

Note: We are using Group Policy Editor for some methods. If you are using Windows Home, follow this guide to install Group Policy Editor.

1] Scheduling the Time of Update Installation Using the Group Policy Editor

Follow the steps listed below to delay the automatic update restart prompt in Windows by changing the scheduled time of update installation on your Windows PC:

  • Open the Local Group Policy Editor. Open the Run prompt (Win +R), type gpedit.msc, and press the Enter key
  • Once the Group Policy editor opens, navigate your way through
Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Manage End User Experience > Configure Automatic Updates.
  • Under the Configure Automatic Updating option, select Auto download and schedule the install option in the first drop-down.Scheduling the Time of Update Installation Using the Group Policy Editor In Windows
  • Find the Scheduled install time drop-down, and enter the desired time for update installation here.
  • You can opt for Always automatically restarting at the scheduled time to force a restart at the scheduled time. You also get the feature of configuring a timer that can serve as a reminder before the system restarts as directed at the scheduled time.

2] Delaying Automatic Update Restart/Reboot Using Group Policy Editor

We can also use the Local Group Policy Editor to delay Windows’s automatic update restart prompt. There are two specific policies under the Configure Automatic Updates option that we worked on in the last section.

Turn off auto-restart for updates during active hours:

As the name speaks for itself, enabling this policy will stop Windows from restarting when the PC is in active hours.

No auto-restart with logged-on users for scheduled automatic updates installations:

Enabling this option will prevent the system from restarting when a user is signed in. If a user has scheduled the restart, Windows will proceed even when the user is signed in, and the PC is in active hours.

However, enabling this option will prevent the system from doing so even at the scheduled time.

3] Changing Active Hours Using Windows Settings

It is probably the most straightforward approach you can take if you wish to avoid seeing the automatic update restart prompt on your Windows PC. Follow the steps listed below to change the active hours for update installation and restart in your PC via System settings:

  1. Launch the System Settings by pressing Windows + I or searching for Settings in the Start menu.
  2. Locate and click on Windows Update under System Settings.
  3. Click on Advanced Options.
  4. Look for the Active hours’ option, and change them manually as per your choice. Your system won’t restart during the active hours you input. Changing Active Hours For Windows Updates In Settings

4] Changing Active Hours Using Group Policy Editor

You can also use the Group Policy Editor to make changes to the active hours of your system as an alternative. Follow the steps given below to do that:

  • Launch the Local Group Policy Editor
  • Navigate to the following location:
PC Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows UpdateManage End User Experience
  • Find and open the policy setting. Turn off auto-restart for updates during active hours.Turn Off Auto Restart For Updates During Active Hours In Group Policy Editor
  • Enabling this policy will allow you to see the set time for the start and the end of active hours on your PC.

5] Managing Auto Restart Prompts Using Notification Settings

We’ll be using the Local Group Policy Editor here as well. Follow the steps listed below to alter the restart notifications of your Windows PC:

  • Open the Local Group Policy Editor
  • Go to the following policy section
PC Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Display options for update notifications

Display Options For Update Notifications In Group Policy Editor

  • Change the value according to your requirements. Listed below are the valid values you can use.
0 (default) - Use the default Windows Update notifications

1 - Turn off all notifications, excluding restart warnings

2 - Turn off all notifications, including restart warnings

Conclusion: 

The automatic update restart prompt on our desktop can get bothersome. It can even lead to the system restarting on its own in certain circumstances, which might be upsetting for some users. In this article, we went over various ways to disable or delay Windows automatic update restart prompt.

Although these methods are pretty easy to execute, it is recommended not to keep your Windows PC outdated for long. Windows constantly rolls out updates for the betterment of its users’ experience. That said, we’ll now wrap this guide up in hopes that it was of help to you.

Can I Permanently Disable Automatic Windows Update Download?

There is no direct way to permanently disable automatic Windows update download in Windows. You can, however, tweak some registry entries and execute some commands to make it possible. You can pause the updates for a maximum period of 1 week.

How Much Internet Data Does Each Windows Update Take?

There is no fixed amount of internet data that each Windows update may consume, nor is it specified by Microsoft during the download time. However, estimates suggest that Windows updates can take anywhere from 1 GB to 3.5GB or more of internet data.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Thanks. I thought such a tweaking was not possible in Windows 7. I couldn’t find this tweak anywhere else.

    Thanks again 🙂

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