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
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
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)
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