Stop automatic reboots w/updates + auto-install Defender definitions

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  1. Posts : 186
    Xp, Vista, 7, 8.1, 10
       #1

    Stop automatic reboots w/updates + auto-install Defender definitions


    Hello:

    My goal is to prevent Windows 10 from rebooting whenever it wants to. It happened twice already that I got my computer in the morning in a refreshly rebooted state. I didn't lose any data, but it then takes me several minutes to reload all the apps etc. In other words it's a big pain-in-the-a$% so my goal is to revert updates to how they used to work in Windows 7, i.e. "I own the computer and I decide when to reboot!"

    So I ran gpedit.msc as an admin and then went to
    Local Computer Policy -> Computer Configuration -> Admin Templates -> .... (can't remember the full path) ... eventually to Configure automatic updates and set it to "Auto download and notify for install." I then also enabled the local GPO to "No auto-restart with logged on users for scheduled automatic updates" Here's the full setup:
    Stop automatic reboots w/updates + auto-install Defender definitions-capture2.png
    And here's that specific setting:

    Stop automatic reboots w/updates + auto-install Defender definitions-capture3.png
    After that these GPOs seem to have held off automatic reboots, but now I got one less pesky but still annoying thing. Every day this thing dings me with a popup:

    Stop automatic reboots w/updates + auto-install Defender definitions-capture.png
    which then brings me to this:

    Stop automatic reboots w/updates + auto-install Defender definitions-1.png

    So I was wondering, is there a way to automate installation of those definitions for Windows Defender so that I don't have to do it manually every day?

    PS. I tried setting the following as a daily task in the Task Scheduler, and although it used to work in Windows 8.1, in Windows 10 it doesn't seem to do anything and I still get those dings:


    Code:
    "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe" -SignatureUpdate
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,735
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Please see
    Scheduled Defender Definition Updates Not Completing After AU

    Stop automatic reboots w/updates + auto-install Defender definitions-snap-2017-01-30-09.48.50.jpg
    is a convenient way to set Windows to notify.

    And presumably you are aware of the (limited) active hours feature in settings (12 hour period max) to restrict restarts.

    I've never experienced an unexpected restart, even when one is pending outside active hours, curiously.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 186
    Xp, Vista, 7, 8.1, 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Well, it warns me. I just don't want to do it whenever Microsoft decides to. Like I said it takes too long to reload everything. I usually reboot it once a month or so, or if some critical patch is out.

    From that link that you posted, just curious, how is:

    "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe" -SignatureUpdate

    different from:

    "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe" -SignatureUpdate

    that I've been using?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 42,735
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #4

    Further discussion:
    Scheduling silent hourly Windows Defender definition updates using Task Scheduler on Windows 8 - Super User
    - plenty on the web on this if you search.

    In particular if you want a completely silent update (no window):
    When the task is run, a black CMD window will open momentarily and close down.

    If you wish to run a silent update, instead of: C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe –SignatureUpdate you may use: C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe -Update.
    Update Windows Defender when Automatic Updates is disabled

    (or %programfiles% as necessary)
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 186
    Xp, Vista, 7, 8.1, 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks. Like I said what worked in Windows 8.1 doesn't seem to work with Windows 10.

    I haven't seen this though, so I'll try:

    Code:
    "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe" -Update -Hide
    It seems to start a GUI version of the Defender and update it (without -Hide). Unfortunately it doesn't close it (even with -Hide supplied.) Pretty stupid, IMHO. But at least it's better than nothing. So I'll try that and will post a report later...
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 7,606
    Windows 10 Home 20H2
       #6

    The following VBScript is run at 6-hours intervals via Task Scheduler on my Windows 10.
    Code:
    Createobject("wscript.shell").run("""C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe"" ""-SignatureUpdate"""), 0
    It runs silently in the background with no momentary GUI and command window.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 7,254
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
       #7

    To stop the notifications popping up, you could use quiet mode. Click on the action centre icon next to the clock and click on quiet hours. This should stop notifications appearing.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 186
    Xp, Vista, 7, 8.1, 10
    Thread Starter
       #8

    @swarfega I'm not trying to kill notifications. I was just trying to make that thing install definitions automatically. Is it too much to ask? And so far I did not succeed.

    @Matthew Wai That is exactly what I was doing before (well, just as a command itself) and it didn't work. Works on 8.1 but not on Win10.

    Also want to report that the following doesn't do anything either:

    Code:
    "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe" -Update -Hide
    Got another one of those dings this evening.

    Any more ideas, guys?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 7,606
    Windows 10 Home 20H2
       #9

    ahmd said:
    @Matthew Wai That is exactly what I was doing before (well, just as a command itself) and it didn't work. Works on 8.1 but not on Win10.
    Is there a reason why it works on my Windows 10 but not on yours?
    Does it work on other members'?
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 7,606
    Windows 10 Home 20H2
       #10

    Try using VBScript to call a .cmd file containing the following command:
    Code:
    "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe" "-SignatureUpdate"
    It will run silently in the background with no momentary GUI and command window.
      My Computer


 

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