How to Configure Auto-restart Reminder Notifications 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, you can schedule a time to restart and finish installing updates.

By default, a auto-restart reminder notification will show 15 minutes prior to a scheduled restart.

If you like, you can set a policy to specify the amount of time you want prior to a scheduled restart to notify users.

This tutorial will show you how to specify the amount of time prior to a scheduled restart for Windows Update to show auto-restart reminder notifications in Windows 10.

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


 CONTENTS:

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


EXAMPLE: Auto-restart reminder notifications for updates
Configure Auto-restart Reminder Notification for Updates in Windows 10-windows_update_restart_notification.jpg Configure Auto-restart Reminder Notification for Updates in Windows 10-weve_got_an_update_for_you.jpg






OPTION ONE

Configure Auto-restart Reminder Notifications 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 Reminder Notification for Updates in Windows 10-auto-restart_reminder_notifications_gpedit-1.jpg

3. In the right pane of Windows Update in Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Configure auto-restart reminder notifications 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. Use Default Time Prior to Scheduled Restart to Show Auto-restart Reminder Notifications 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. Specify Time Prior to Scheduled Restart to Show Auto-restart Reminder Notifications for Updates

A) Select (dot) Enabled, select a time period in minutes (15, 30, 60, 120, or 240) you want in the drop menu, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

Configure Auto-restart Reminder Notification for Updates in Windows 10-auto-restart_reminder_notifications_gpedit-2.jpg

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






OPTION TWO

Configure Auto-restart Reminder Notifications 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

SetAutoRestartNotificationConfig DWORD

(delete) = Default
1 = Specify

AutoRestartNotificationSchedule DWORD

(delete) = Default
15 (decimal) = 15 minutes
30 (decimal) = 30 minutes
60 (decimal) = 60 minutes
120 (decimal) = 120 minutes
240 (decimal) = 240 minutes


1. Do step 2 (Default), step 3 (15 minutes), step 4 (30 minutes), step 5 (60 minutes), step 6 (120 minutes), or step 7 (240 minutes) below for what you would like to do.


 2. Use Default Period for Auto-restart Reminder Notifications

This is the default setting.

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 8 below.

Default_period_for_auto-restart_reminder_notifications.reg

Download


 3. Specify 15 Minutes Prior to Scheduled Restart to Show Auto-restart Reminder Notifications for Updates

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 8 below.

15_minute_period_for_auto-restart_reminder_notifications.reg

Download


 4. Specify 30 Minutes Prior to Scheduled Restart to Show Auto-restart Reminder Notifications for Updates

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 8 below.

30_minute_period_for_auto-restart_reminder_notifications.reg

Download


 5. Specify 60 Minutes Prior to Scheduled Restart to Show Auto-restart Reminder Notifications for Updates

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 8 below.

60_minute_period_for_auto-restart_reminder_notifications.reg

Download


 6. Specify 120 Minutes Prior to Scheduled Restart to Show Auto-restart Reminder Notifications for Updates

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 8 below.

120_minute_period_for_auto-restart_reminder_notifications.reg

Download


 7. Specify 240 Minutes Prior to Scheduled Restart to Show Auto-restart Reminder Notifications for Updates

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 8 below.

240_minute_period_for_auto-restart_reminder_notifications.reg

Download

8. Save the .reg file to your desktop.

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

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

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


That's it,
Shawn