Microsoft requires restarting Windows computers after each update, which seems a bit unusual at first glance, because there is no such requirement for Linux systems. The update should be done in the background and will not disturb your current workflow. This guide shows some workarounds that help you prevent automatic restarts after Windows updates are complete.

Table of contents

• 1. Use the Service Menu
• 2. Using the Local Group Policy Editor
• 3. Using PowerShell
• 4. Using the Registry Editor
• 5. Using the Task Scheduler
• 6. Change the activity time
• 7. Use metering connection

1. Use the Service Menu

This is the easiest way to prevent automatic restart after Windows updates. Open the service menu, you can search by entering services in Win R , or using the Windows menu. Scroll down to Windows Update in the list. Right-click and select Properties and go to the General tab. Change the startup type to Disable . Click Apply and OK .

Although you can turn this method off at any time, there are some problems with this method. Completely banning update-related activities can affect Windows application updates and security patches, which are essential in today's threatening environments. This means no downloads and no update reminders. The following method provides more detailed control.

2. Using the Local Group Policy Editor

On a Windows Pro/Enterprise device, open the Run command, Win R , then enter gpedit.msc and press Enter .

After opening the Local Group Policy Editor window, navigate to Local Computer Policy- > Computer Configuration- > Administrative Templates- > Windows Components- > Windows Update . In the right panel, double-click the entry: Do not automatically restart for scheduled automatic update installation when the logged-in user is in the case of a logged-in user .

Select the enable box and click Apply -> OK to completely disable any future updates' automatic restart feature. This method still allows Windows updates to download, but does not force restart.

Tip : If you have problems after a recent Windows update, learn how to continue.

3. Using PowerShell

PowerShell has a registry setting called NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers that allows users to prevent forced restarts after Windows updates. This method should work easily in Windows 10, but it requires some tweaking in Windows 11 because the exact registry path may not exist, resulting in a "Path not found" error.

First, open PowerShell as an administrator. If you are a Windows 11 user, run the following PowerShell script to place the above registry settings.

 <code>$registryPath = "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU"</code> Check if the registry path exists<p> if (-not (Test-Path $registryPath)) {</p><h1> Create a registry path</h1><pre class="brush:php;toolbar:false"> <code>New-Item -Path $registryPath -Force | Out-Null</code>

}

Set NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers to 1

Set-ItemProperty -Path $registryPath -Name "NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers" -Value 1 -Type DWord

Set up automatic configuration updates (required to be effective for NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers)

Set-ItemProperty -Path $registryPath -Name "AUOptions" -Value 4 -Type DWord

After that, enter the following command. If you are a Windows 10 user, you can type directly because you won't encounter the "Path Not Found" error.

 <code>Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" -Name "NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers" -Value 1</code>

If you change your mind later, you can enable automatic restart again by setting the above registry value to "0".

 <code>Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" -Name "NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers" -Value 0</code>

Related : You can also use PowerShell to hide updates.

4. Using the Registry Editor

The above method of using PowerShell to prevent Windows updates from restarting can also be done using the Registry Editor. This method should work automatically in Windows 10, but requires specific tweaks in Windows 11.

Open Run command, Win R , and enter regedit in the box to open the Registry Editor on the device. Enter the following path in the Registry Editor window:

 <code>Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate</code>

Find a D-WORD (32-bit) value named "NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers" under WindowsUpdate -> AU (Auto) key. The default is set to 0, but you need to set it to 1.

If you have already executed the PowerShell script above, you don't need to create the registry entry this way.

Warning : It is always wise to back up your registry before making any adjustments.

5. Using the Task Scheduler

Open the Task Scheduler from the Windows Search box. Navigate to Task Scheduler- > Task Scheduler Library- > Microsoft- > Windows- > UpdateOrchestrator . The UpdateOrchestrator service runs in the background to scan, download and install Windows updates.

If you see the restart option in the right panel of UpdateOrchestrator , right-click to disable it. If you don't see the restart option, it means that the restart task has not been created yet. The solution is to change the basic restart parameters of the scheduled scan option. Right-click to select its properties .

Change the restart parameters from the Conditions tab.

Tip : Task Scheduler won't work for you? Check out our guide to learn how to fix it.

6. Change the activity time

Windows has a feature called Active Time, which, as the name implies, allows the user to specify a period of time during which the operating system should not automatically install updates or perform system restarts.

In Windows 11, navigate to Settings -> Windows Update -> Advanced Options -> Active Time . For Windows 10, select Settings -> Update & Security -> Windows Update . Then, select Change Activity Time .

If the Adjust Active Time button is set to Automatic , change it to Manual . Allocate the period of time during the day when the system should not prompt you for restarting. Easily adjust these settings to avoid restart notifications of at least 23 hours a day.

7. Use metering connection

Using metered connections is a great way to prevent automatic restarts while allowing critical updates to be installed. This is a good choice for those who don't want to adjust their group policy or registry editor.

Go to Settings -> Network and Internet -> Wi-Fi . Select the Wi-Fi network you want and turn on the metering connection switch.

As shown above, you can prevent automatic restart after Windows update download. Similarly, you can turn off automatic driver updates in Windows. If you find that Windows Update Service is missing, there are ways to restore it to your computer.

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