Specify Max Active Hours Range for Auto-restarts in Windows 10  

    Specify Max Active Hours Range for Auto-restarts in Windows 10

    Specify Max Active Hours Range for Auto-restarts in Windows 10

    How to Specify Max Active Hours Range for Auto-restarts in Windows 10
    Published by Category: Windows Update & Activation
    01 Nov 2020
    Designer Media Ltd

    How to Specify Max Active Hours Range for Auto-restarts in Windows 10


    Active hours identify the period of time when you expect the device to be in use. Automatic restarts after an update will occur outside of the active hours.

    By default, active hours are from 8 AM to 5 PM. Users can change the active hours manually with a max active hours range of 18 hours by default.

    Starting with Windows 10 version 1703, administrators can specify the max active hours range users can set. This option gives you additional flexibility to leave some of the decision for active hours on the user's side, while making sure you allow enough time for updating. The specified range will be counted from the active hours start time.

    This tutorial will show you how to specify the maximum number of hours from the start time that users can set their active hours for Windows Update auto-restarts in Windows 10.

    You must be signed in as an administrator to specify the max active hours range.



    Contents

    • Option One: Specify Max Active Hours Range in Local Group Policy Editor
    • Option Two: Specify Max Active Hours Range using a REG file



    EXAMPLE: When max active hours range has been specified
    Specify Max Active Hours Range for Auto-restarts in Windows 10-specify_active_hours_range.jpg





    OPTION ONE

    Specify Max Active Hours Range in Local Group Policy Editor


    The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

    All editions can use Option Two below.


    1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor.

    2 In the left pane of Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)

    Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Update

    Specify Max Active Hours Range for Auto-restarts in Windows 10-specify_active_hours_range_gpedit-1.png

    3 In the right pane of Windows Update in Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Specify active hours range for auto-restarts policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)

    4 Do step 5 (default) or step 6 (specify) below for what you would like to do.


     5. To Use Default Max Active Hours Range

    A) Select (dot) Not Configured or Disabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

    Not Configured is the default setting.



     6. To Specify Max Active Hours Range

    A) Select (dot) Enabled, select a Max range of 8 to 18 hours in the drop menu you want, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

    Specify Max Active Hours Range for Auto-restarts in Windows 10-specify_active_hours_range_gpedit-2.jpg


    7 When finished, close the Local Group Policy Editor.

    8 Restart the computer to apply.






    OPTION TWO

    Specify Max Active Hours Range using a REG file


    The downloadable .reg files below will add and modify the DWORD values in the registry key below.

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

    SetActiveHoursMaxRange DWORD

    (delete) = Default
    1 = Specify

    ActiveHoursMaxRange DWORD

    (delete) = Default
    8 (decimal) = 8 hours
    9 (decimal) = 9 hours
    10 (decimal) = 10 hours
    11 (decimal) = 11 hours
    12 (decimal) = 12 hours
    13 (decimal) = 13 hours
    14 (decimal) = 14 hours
    15 (decimal) = 15 hours
    16 (decimal) = 16 hours
    17 (decimal) = 17 hours
    18 (decimal) = 18 hours


    1 Do step 2 (default), step 3 (8), step 4 (9), step 5 (10), step 6 (11), step 7 (12), step 8 (13), step 9 (14), step 10 (15), step 11 (16), step 12 (17), or step 13 (18) below for what you would like to do.


     2. To Use Default Max Active Hours Range

    This is the default setting.

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 14 below.

    Default_active_hours_range.reg

    Download


     3. To Specify 8 Hours as Max Active Hours Range

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 14 below.

    Set_max_active_hours_range_to_8_hours.reg

    Download


     4. To Specify 9 Hours as Max Active Hours Range

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 14 below.

    Set_max_active_hours_range_to_9_hours.reg

    Download


     5. To Specify 10 Hours as Max Active Hours Range

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 14 below.

    Set_max_active_hours_range_to_10_hours.reg

    Download


     6. To Specify 11 Hours as Max Active Hours Range

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 14 below.

    Set_max_active_hours_range_to_11_hours.reg

    Download


     7. To Specify 12 Hours as Max Active Hours Range

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 14 below.

    Set_max_active_hours_range_to_12_hours.reg

    Download


     8. To Specify 13 Hours as Max Active Hours Range

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 14 below.

    Set_max_active_hours_range_to_13_hours.reg

    Download


     9. To Specify 14 Hours as Max Active Hours Range

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 14 below.

    Set_max_active_hours_range_to_14_hours.reg

    Download


     10. To Specify 15 Hours as Max Active Hours Range

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 14 below.

    Set_max_active_hours_range_to_15_hours.reg

    Download


     11. To Specify 16 Hours as Max Active Hours Range

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 14 below.

    Set_max_active_hours_range_to_16_hours.reg

    Download


     12. To Specify 17 Hours as Max Active Hours Range

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 14 below.

    Set_max_active_hours_range_to_17_hours.reg

    Download


     13. To Specify 18 Hours as Max Active Hours Range

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 14 below.

    Set_max_active_hours_range_to_18_hours.reg

    Download


    14 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

    15 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

    16 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

    17 Restart the computer to apply.

    18 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


    That's it,
    Shawn






  1. Posts : 18,044
    Win 10 Pro 64-bit v1909 - Build 18363 Custom ISO Install
       #1

    Hello @Brink,

    Just a quick question. I want to set mine from 5 am to 23 pm [ 18 hours ].

    Is this correct for the REG file for 13. To Specify 18 Hours as Max Active Hours Range? . . .
    Code:
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
    "SetActiveHoursMaxRange"=dword:00000001
    "ActiveHoursMaxRange"=dword:00000012
    Is the above the same as setting . . .
    Code:
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
    "SetActiveHours"=dword:00000001
    "ActiveHoursStart"=dword:00000005
    "ActiveHoursEnd"=dword:00000023
    Thanks in advance.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Hello @Paul Black,

    Unfortunately, this group policy only allows you to set a max active hours range of 18, but not for during a specific time range for it.

    You can use an option in the tutorial below for a specific time range for active hours instead that may work for what you are wanting.

    Change Active Hours for Windows Update in Windows 10
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 18,044
    Win 10 Pro 64-bit v1909 - Build 18363 Custom ISO Install
       #3

    Thanks @Brink,

    So if I wanted the active hours to be 5 am to 11 pm [ which is 18 hours ], I could use this . . .
    Code:
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
    "SetActiveHours"=dword:00000001
    "ActiveHoursStart"=dword:00000005
    "ActiveHoursEnd"=dword:00000023
    Thanks.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Paul Black said:
    Thanks @Brink,

    So if I wanted the active hours to be 5 am to 11 pm [ which is 18 hours ], I could use this . . .
    Code:
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
    "SetActiveHours"=dword:00000001
    "ActiveHoursStart"=dword:00000005
    "ActiveHoursEnd"=dword:00000023
    Thanks.
    That looks correct.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 18,044
    Win 10 Pro 64-bit v1909 - Build 18363 Custom ISO Install
       #5

    Brink said:
    That looks correct.
    Thanks @Brink, it is very much appreciated.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Paul Black said:
    Thanks @Brink, it is very much appreciated.
      My Computers


 

Tutorial Categories

Specify Max Active Hours Range for Auto-restarts in Windows 10 Tutorial Index Network & Sharing Instalation and Upgrade Browsers and Email General Tips Gaming Customization Apps and Features Virtualization BSOD System Security User Accounts Hardware and Drivers Updates and Activation Backup and Restore Performance and Maintenance Mixed Reality Phone


  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 00:35.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums