One of the annoying things about Windows 11/10 is the “Windows Update will restart” message. I have seen some users reporting that it restarts when you are in the middle of doing something or it may say that I will automatically restart after 1 day. Well, there are ways to disable Windows auto-restart after Windows Updates. One by using the Group Policy Editor and the other via the Windows Registry. Windows 11/10 also offers you an additional option.
Stop automatic restarts after Windows Update
Disable automatic reboot after Windows Update using Group Policy
This is how you proceed:
- Press Win + R and type in gpedit.msc
- Go to Computer Configuration –> Administrative Template –> Windows Component –> Windows Update
- Right click on “No auto-restart with logged on users for scheduled automatic updates installations”
- Select “Enable” click on Apply and click on OK.
Prevent Windows Update Automatic Restart using Registry Editor
Open the Registry Editor and navigate to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU
If you don’t see it, create one. You may have to create \WindowsUpdate\AU.
Now under this key, create a new 32-bit DWORD called NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers and give it a hexadecimal value data of 1. This will prevent automatic reboot while users are logged on.
This should stop Windows from automatically restarting your computer after Windows Updates.
Use Quiet Hours in Windows 10
Windows 10, in its Windows Update Settings, offers an option to Notify to schedule restart. However, in Windows 10 Anniversary Update and later you will have to use Quiet Hours.
Did you know? Windows 11/10 now lets you force automatic restart after Windows Updates.
