How to Configure Auto-restart Required Notification for Updates in Windows 10


Microsoft has made it easier for Windows Update to keep Windows 10 updated by automatically downloading and installing the latest features and improvements, drivers, and hotfixes released by Microsoft—and with fewer interruptions and restarts when you're using your PC the most. The latest updates will automatically download and install when they’re available. (Unless you’re on a metered connection, then updates won’t download until you manually check for updates.)

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.

When a restart is required to install updates, the auto-restart required notification is displayed. By default, the notification is automatically dismissed after 25 seconds. If you like, you can enable a policy to require user action to dismiss the notification. This will help make sure users see the notification to restart, and save their work first.

This tutorial will show you how to require user action to dismiss the auto-restart required notification for Windows Update in Windows 10.

You must be signed in as an administrator to configure auto-restart required notification for updates.


 CONTENTS:

  • Option One: Configure Auto-restart Required Notification for Updates in Local Group Policy Editor
  • Option Two: Configure Auto-restart Required Notification for Updates using a REG file


EXAMPLE: Auto-restart required notification for updates
Configure Auto-restart Required Notification for Updates in Windows 10-windows_update_restart_notification.jpg Configure Auto-restart Required Notification for Updates in Windows 10-auto-restart_required_notification_for_updates.jpg

(reminder)
Configure Auto-restart Required Notification for Updates in Windows 10-weve_got_an_update_for_you.jpg






OPTION ONE

Configure Auto-restart Required Notification for Updates 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

Configure Auto-restart Required Notification for Updates in Windows 10-auto-restart_required_notification_gpedit-1.jpg

3. In the right pane of Windows Update in Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Configure auto-restart required notification for updates 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 Auto Dismiss Auto-restart Required Notification for Updates

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 Require User Action to Dismiss Auto-restart Required Notification for Updates

A) Select (dot) Enabled, select 2 - User Action in the Method drop menu, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

Configure Auto-restart Required Notification for Updates in Windows 10-auto-restart_required_notification_gpedit-2.jpg

7. When finished, close the Local Group Policy Editor.






OPTION TWO

Configure Auto-restart Required Notification for Updates 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

SetAutoRestartRequiredNotificationDismissal DWORD

(delete) = Default Auto
1 = User Action

AutoRestartRequiredNotificationDismissal DWORD

(delete) = Default Auto
2 = User Action


1. Do step 2 (Default Auto) or step 3 (User Action) below for what you would like to do.


 2. To Use Default Auto Dismiss Auto-restart Required Notification for Updates

This is the default setting.

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Default_auto_dismiss_auto-restart_required_notification.reg

Download


 3. To Require User Action to Dismiss Auto-restart Required Notification for Updates

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Require_user_action_to_dismiss_auto-restart_required_notification.reg

Download

4. Save the .reg file to your desktop.

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

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

7. Restart the computer to apply.

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


That's it,
Shawn


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