Schedule Restart Time for Windows Update in Windows 10  

    Schedule Restart Time for Windows Update in Windows 10

    Schedule Restart Time for Windows Update in Windows 10

    How to Schedule a Restart Time for Windows Update in Windows 10
    Published by Category: Windows Update & Activation
    07 Aug 2022
    Designer Media Ltd

    How to Schedule a Restart Time for Windows Update in Windows 10


    Windows Update keeps Windows 10 updated by downloading and installing the latest updates, drivers, and hotfixes released by Microsoft.

    Starting with Windows 10 build 14316, you can now set the time in which you are most active on your device by adjusting active hours. Active hours lets Windows know when you usually use this device. When a restart is necessary to finish installing an update, Windows won't automatically restart your device during active hours.

    When a restart is scheduled, you can use a custom restart time to temporarily override active hours and schedule a custom time to finish installing the current update(s). When your computer restarts on the scheduled custom time, custom restart time will automatically be turned off, and Windows Update will only restart outside of active hours again. You can also manually turn off custom restart time at anytime if you change your mind.

    See also: Providing customers with more choice and control in Creators Update

    This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off to schedule a custom restart time for Windows Update to override active hours in Windows 10.

    You will need to make sure that your device is plugged in at the scheduled custom restart time, or your computer will be unable to restart.

    If a restart is not currently scheduled by Windows Update, then the restart options below will be grayed out.




    Contents

    • Option One: To Schedule a Time to Restart for Updates in Notification
    • Option Two: To Schedule a Time to Restart for Updates in Notification Icon
    • Option Three: To Schedule a Time to Restart for Updates in Settings






    OPTION ONE

    To Schedule a Time to Restart for Updates in Notification


    1 If you get a We've got an update for you notification asking if you're ready to restart now to finish installing updates, click/tap on the option below in the notification for you want to do: (see screenshot below)

    Option Description
    Restart now The computer will be restarted now to finish installing updates.
    Pick a time Go to step 5 in Option Three below to schedule a time to restart.
    Snooze Will pause the update process completely for three days.

    Schedule Restart Time for Windows Update in Windows 10-windows-update-4.png






    OPTION TWO

    To Schedule a Time to Restart for Updates in Notification Icon


    1 Right click or press and hold on the Windows Update Status notification icon on the taskbar. (see screenshot below)

    2 Click/tap on Schedule restart, and go to step 5 in Option Three below to schedule a time to restart.

    Schedule Restart Time for Windows Update in Windows 10-windows_update_notification_icon.png






    OPTION THREE

    To Schedule a Time to Restart for Updates in Settings


    1 Open Settings, and click/tap on the Update & Security icon.

    2 Click/tap on Windows Update on the left side, and click/tap on the Schedule the restart link on the right side. (see screenshot below)

    Schedule Restart Time for Windows Update in Windows 10-w10_custom_restart_time-1.jpg

    3 Do step 4 (off) or step 5 (on) below for what you would like to do.


    4 To Turn Off Using a Custom Restart Time

    This is the default setting.

    A) Turn off schedule a time, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below)

    Schedule Restart Time for Windows Update in Windows 10-w10_custom_restart_time-2.jpg


    5 To Turn On Schedule a Time to Restart

    A) Turn on schedule a time. (see screenshot below)

    B) Pick a time you want to schedule for this custom restart time, and click/tap on the check mark to apply.

    C) Pick a day you want to schedule for this custom restart time.

    Schedule Restart Time for Windows Update in Windows 10-w10_custom_restart_time-3.jpg

    D) Your device will now be scheduled to automatically restart at the time and date you set. Go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below)

    Schedule Restart Time for Windows Update in Windows 10-w10_custom_restart_time-4.png

    6 You can now close Settings if you like.


    That's it,
    Shawn Brink






  1. Posts : 2,979
    Windows 11
       #1

    Hi Brink,

    Under use a custom restart time my on/off switch is greyed out so I can't turn the feature on. It was working the last time I used it so I'm not sure whether it's something I've changed that may be causing this. Would you have any ideas?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,652
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Hello Kol12, :)

    You'll only be able to actually set a custom restart time when you currently already have a restart scheduled.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 2,979
    Windows 11
       #3

    Brink said:
    Hello Kol12, :)

    You'll only be able to actually set a custom restart time when you currently already have a restart scheduled.
    Where/how am I meant to have a restart scheduled?

    I'm currently downloading updates as normal (non-metered) I open WU today to find about 4 updates are ready to download with an available download button so I left it for now. I leave my PC for 10 minutes, come back and all but Cumulative update (KB3189866) have downloaded and installed themselves anyway. Is this the way it works? Do some updates download an install while the computer is idle?

    Interestingly I still have the prompt to manually download the Cumulative update (KB3189866)
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 2,979
    Windows 11
       #4

    Brink said:
    Hello Kol12, :)

    You'll only be able to actually set a custom restart time when you currently already have a restart scheduled.
    I understand now. It looks like cumulative update (KB3189866) is stuck at 95% which is probably why the scheduled restart hasn't been made...
    Last edited by Kol12; 14 Sep 2016 at 03:11.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 68,652
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Correct. Hopefully it has finished by now for you.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 2,979
    Windows 11
       #6

    Brink said:
    Correct. Hopefully it has finished by now for you.
    Well no it hasn't unfortunately, it didn't complete last night so I shutdown. Restarted today and it's been at 95% for over 3 hours. Many people are installing it manually but some people have decided to wait. If it doesn't complete later tonight I don't know, maybe there will be no choice but to install manually.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 68,652
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #7
      My Computers


 

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