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.
Related: Specify Engaged restart transition and notification schedule for Updates
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 or Focus Assist in Windows
In Windows 10 users will have to use Quiet Hours. Windows 11 users will have to use Focus Assist.
Did you know? Windows 11/10 now lets you force automatic restart after Windows Updates.
