How to Configure Auto-restart Warning Notifications Schedule 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.)

After an update is installed, Windows 10 attempts automatic restart outside of active hours. If the restart does not succeed after the deadline of 7 days (by default), the user will see a warning notification that restart is required.

Since users are not able to postpone a scheduled restart once the deadline has been reached, you can configure a warning reminder (4 hours default) prior to the scheduled restart. You can also configure a warning (15 minutes default) prior to the restart, to notify users once the restart is imminent and allow them to save their work.

This tutorial will show you how to specify when notifications are displayed to warn users about a scheduled restart for a Windows Update installation deadline in Windows 10.

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


 CONTENTS:

  • Option One: Configure Auto-restart Warning Notifications Schedule for Updates in Local Group Policy Editor
  • Option Two: Configure Auto-restart Warning Notifications Schedule for Updates in Registry Editor


EXAMPLE: Auto-restart imminent warning notification for updates
Configure Auto-restart Warning Notifications for Updates in Windows 10-windows_10_auto-restart_imminent_warning_notification.png






OPTION ONE

Configure Auto-restart Warning Notifications Schedule 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 Warning Notifications for Updates in Windows 10-auto-restart_imminent_warning_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 warning notifications schedule 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 Auto-restart Warning Notifications Schedule 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 Auto-restart Warning Notifications Schedule for Updates

A) Select (dot) Enabled, and perform the actions below:
  • Under Specify the period for auto-restart warning reminder notifications, select 2, 4, 8, 12, or 24 in the Reminder (hours) drop menu for what you want.
  • Under Specify the period for auto-restart imminent warning notifications, select 15, 30, or 60 in the Warning (mins) drop menu for what you want.
  • Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

Configure Auto-restart Warning Notifications for Updates in Windows 10-auto-restart_imminent_warning_notification_gpedit-2.png

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






OPTION TWO

Configure Auto-restart Warning Notifications Schedule for Updates in Registry Editor


1. Do step 2 (specify) or step 3 (default) below for what you would like to do.


 2. Specify Auto-restart Warning Notifications Schedule for Updates

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.

This downloadable .reg file will add the registry keys and values for you to make it easier to specify what you want starting at step 2D below.

Add_to_registry_auto-restart_warning_notifications_schedule_for_updates.reg

Download

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

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

D) Press the Win+R keys to open Run, type regedit into Run, and click/tap on OK to open Registry Editor.

E) Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor. (see screenshot below)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

Configure Auto-restart Warning Notifications for Updates in Windows 10-auto-restart_imminent_warning_notification_regedit-1.jpg

F) In the right pane of the WindowsUpdate key, double click/tap on the ScheduleRestartWarning DWORD to modify it. (see screenshot below step 2E)

G) Select (dot) Decimal, type 2, 4, 8, 12, or 24 for how many hours you want to Specify the period for auto-restart warning reminder notifications, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

Configure Auto-restart Warning Notifications for Updates in Windows 10-auto-restart_imminent_warning_notification_regedit-3.png

H) In the right pane of the WindowsUpdate key, double click/tap on the ScheduleImminentRestartWarning DWORD to modify it. (see screenshot below step 2E)

I) Select (dot) Decimal, type 15, 30, or 60 for how many minutes you want to Specify the period for auto-restart imminent warning notifications, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

Configure Auto-restart Warning Notifications for Updates in Windows 10-auto-restart_imminent_warning_notification_regedit-2.png

J) Close Registry Editor, and go to step 4 below.


 3. Use Default Auto-restart Warning Notifications Schedule for Updates

This is the default setting.

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.

Default_auto-restart_warning_notifications_schedule_for_updates.reg

Download

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

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

D) Go to step 4 below.

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


That's it,
Shawn