Windows 10: How to schedule my PC to only do updates when I shut down?

We have W10 and one of my users came into the office this morning and is not able to use her computer because of updates. So far it's been updating for 2 hours. How can I set up her PC to only do updates when she shuts down at night?

:)

 

How do I schedule updates?

Connie, Martmcd,

Well, my tests went well. I can now

• Schedule obtaining a list of available software updates [or initiate it manually]
• Schedule obtaining a list of available hardware updates [or initiate it manually]
• Schedule fully automatic software-only Windows updates [or initiate it manually]
• Schedule fully automatic software-only Windows updates with user override** [or initiate it manually]
• Schedule fully automatic software & hardware Windows updates [or initiate it manually]
• Schedule fully automatic software & hardware Windows updates with user override** [or initiate it manually]

3, 4, 5, 6 - By schedule, I mean scheduling both the download & the installation of Windows updates including any reboots that they require.

By fully automatic I mean that apart from some essential checks that I think ought to be run [see below], no user intervention is required even if the update requires a reboot. All the intended convenience of Windows update is retained but with
full user control over the schedule including the ability to override that schedule.

I am including the means of initiating each scheme manually because there will be occasions when that is required.

I am also developing explanations that will allow people to decide which of these schemes they want to use. I think, for example, that Martmcd will probably want to use schemes 2 & 3. I will be using schemes 1, 2 & 4** and I think Connie will also use
these ones.

** I think this will not be of any particular interest for your situation but I'll decide if I want to run Windows update after reviewing the list of available updates I have just generated. If there are small updates, I will run
an enabling routine for the scheduled task. If there are large updates, I might either want to enable the scheduled update or I might decide to wait until I am on an unlimited network to run it.

I am also working on the checks that ought to run before the fully automatic procedures start. I would expect people to want these conditions to be showstoppers but I am writing in overrides so people can easily change the controlling batch file's behaviour.

• No applications*** running [as they might contain unfinished work that could be destroyed]
• No other users logged on locally [as they might also have unfinished work that could be destroyed]
• Internet connection available

These checks actually fit in very easily with the procedures and I have no concerns about them.

*** By applications I mean those that are listed in Task manager, Process tab, Apps group. This excludes background & Windows processes. I am making this part of the batch file easy to edit because I would expect there
to be situations in which some applications can usefully be ignored - I have already written in exceptions for Task manager itself and for File explorer as nothing is destroyed even if a post-update reboot closes them.

I am going to post the relevant Powershell utility, the batch files, TS task definitions, ... & a pdf copy of the Wiki article online so I can focus on explanations of what to do with them rather than drone on about the detail of writing them.

Writing the revised Wiki is quite time-consuming. I am trying my best to avoid confusing readers. The solution involves batch files, PowerShell, vbs & Task scheduler and I am conscious that I am writing for users who might have no relevant skills. I will
have to work hard over the weekend to get it finished.

I have had to accept defeat when it comes to automating 'modern' app updates. My suggestions will be a bit better than they are in the existing Wiki but will have to include switching user accounts from day-to-day local accounts [to avoid App updates] across
to online MSAccounts [for App updates to run - optionally automatically or manually directly from the Store].

All the best,

Denis

 

How do I change (Read Only) on Microsoft Word


When I downloaded Windows 10 and used my Microsoft Word it was in (Read Only) and I tried looking up how to solve the problem including looking at properties on my document to uncheck read only, but it was already unchecked. I have tried all the steps suggested.

 

My pc takes for ever to shut down when i restart

Suggest cleaning up your startup list .There may be many services / Apps you can remove on startup which is not needed on boot or during shutdown.
Before you shutdown the Pc check what is running in Task Manager as a program or service in not killing the process on shutdown

Would suggest cleaning up running apps and services -Autoruns, StartupMonitor,HighjackThis,
Malware Scan - Malwarebytes,ADWcleaner, Combofix