How to block Windows 10 from restarting automatically after updates

Microsoft configured non-managed Windows 10 systems to restart automatically after the installation of updates. This can be a huge problem for users. If you run certain processes or have important apps up and running, Windows 10 may restart regardless of that.

This happens after a certain inactivity period. Sometimes, this may result in users losing access to work or being thrown out of games or other apps. While some may reload, like Office apps, others may not reload to the state they were in prior to the initialization of the restart.

The following sections offer step-by-step instructions to stop Windows 10 from restarting the system automatically after the installation of updates.

Stop automatic restarts using the Group Policy Editor

Note: the Group Policy Editor is only available for Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. In other words, it is not available for Home editions. Please skip this section and check the Registry section below for instructions to enable the same policy on Home devices.

1. Open the Start Menu.
2. Type gpedit.msc and select Edit Group Policy from the results. This opens the Group Policy Editor.
3. Follow the folder structure on the left and go to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update.
4. Double-click on No auto-restart with logged on users for scheduled automatic updates installations.
5. Set the policy to Enabled.
6. Select OK.
7. Double-click on Configure Automatic Updates under the same Windows Update folder.
8. Set the policy to Enabled.
9. Set the policy to Auto download and schedule the install.
10. Click ok.

Tip: you can also set the second policy to Notify for download and auto install to prevent any automatic downloads of updates or installations of updates.

Stop automatic reboots using the Registry

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Type regedit.msc and select Registry Editor.
3. Confirm the UAC prompt, if it is displayed.
4. Go to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU.
5. If a key does not exist, right-click on the previous key and select New > Key. Name it accordingly.
6. Right-click on AU and select New > Dword (32-bit) Value. Repeat the steps six times:
   • Name the first AUOptions. Double-click and set its value to 4.
   • Name the second NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers. Double-click on it and sets its value to 1.
   • Name the third NoAutoUpdate. Double-click on it and set its value to 0.
   • Name the fourth ScheduledInstallDay. Double-click on it and set its value to 0.
   • Name the fifth ScheduledInstallEveryWeek. Double-click on it and set its value to 1.
   • Name the sixth ScheduledInstallTime. Double-click on it and set its value to 3.
7. Close the Registry Editor.
8. Restart the PC.

How do you handle updates on Windows devices?