Windows 10: How can I get Windows to stop ignoring my Active Hours settings?

There are many queries in this forum that ask the same question, and it seems most of the replies completely miss the point. When it is time for Windows Update, three distinct processes occur: A the update is DOWNLOADED. B the update is INSTALLED. C the computer then has to be restarted. A only takes a few minutes. B takes several HOURS. C Here Windows finally honors my Active Hours and will RESTART only then. Active Hours only applies to C, which is only 20 minutes or so. Is switching to inconvenient Manual Update the only way I can get Windows to avoid A and B duri

:)

 

Disable Active hours?

Hello Daniel,

If you wish to add more hours or to have an option to turn off the Active Hours, then the feature is currently unavailable on Windows phone. It is best if you can send a suggestion to make the features available using the
Feedback Hub app. To send a suggestion on your Windows phone, you can follow the steps provided below:

• Go to All Apps, search for the Feedback
  Hub app.
• Open the menu icon at the top left side.
• Select Feedback, then at the top right side, tap the
  add button (+).
• Select Suggestionand fill up the box with the details needed.
• Select the right category and then Submit.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask the community.

 

Windows 10 Downloads Ignoring Active Hours

How can I stop Windows 10 from performing it's very large Windows Updates download during normal business hours? I have 'Active Hours' set to non-business hours but Windows 10 will still download massive amounts of data over a limited WAN connection. One
Windows 10 system doing this download will cause the entire office to have poor network and VoIP connectivity. I want the download to be done after hours when the office is closed and the computer left on as to have no negative business impact.

 

How to stop Windows Update ignoring settings and restarting overnight

Thanks for reaching out! I'm an Independent Advisor and a Microsoft user like you.

To stop Windows 11 from automatically updating and restarting overnight, you can follow several methods:

Method 1: Using Services

1. Open Services:
   
   • Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
     
   • Type services.msc and press Enter.
     
2. Disable Windows Update Service:
   
   • Scroll down to find Windows Update.
     
   • Right-click on it and select Properties.
     
   • In the General tab, set the Startup type to Disabled.
     
   • Click Stop if the service is running, then click Apply and OK.
     
3. Disable Windows Update Medic Service:
   
   • In the Services window, find Windows Update Medic Service (WaaSMedicSVC).
     
   • Right-click on it and select Properties.
     
   • Set the Startup type to Disabled and click Stop if it is running.
     

Method 2: Using Group Policy Editor (Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education)

1. Open Group Policy Editor:
   
   • Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
     
   • Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
     
2. Navigate to Windows Update Settings:
   
   • Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update.
     
3. Configure Automatic Updates:
   
   • Find and double-click on Configure Automatic Updates.
     
   • Select Disabled, then click Apply and OK.
     
4. Disable Auto-Restart Notifications:
   
   • In the same Windows Update section, find Turn off auto-restart notifications for update installations.
     
   • Double-click it, select Enabled, then click Apply and OK.
     

Method 3: Using Registry Editor

1. Open Registry Editor:
   
   • Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
     
   • Type regedit and press Enter.
     
2. Navigate to Windows Update Settings:
   
   • Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows.
     
3. Create Necessary Keys:
   
   • Right-click on Windows, select New > Key, and name it WindowsUpdate.
     
   • Right-click on WindowsUpdate, select New > Key, and name it AU.
     
4. Create DWORD Value:
   
   • Right-click on AU, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers.
     
   • Double-click on NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers and set its value to 1.
     

Method 4: Using Command Prompt

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
   
   • Search for cmd in the Windows search bar.
     
   • Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
     
2. Disable Windows Update Service:
   
   • Type sc config wuauserv start= disabled and press Enter.
     

Method 5: Using Task Scheduler

1. Open Task Scheduler:
   
   • Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
     
   • Type taskschd.msc and press Enter.
     
2. Disable Reboot Task:
   
   • Navigate to Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows > UpdateOrchestrator.
     
   • Find the Reboot task, right-click on it, and select Disable.
     

Additional Tips

• Pause Updates: You can pause updates for up to 35 days. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Pause updates for 7 days. You can extend this period by selecting Advanced options and choosing a date under Pause until.
  
• Set Active Hours: Set your active hours to the maximum allowed time to reduce the chances of an automatic restart during your working hours. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Change active hours.
  

Please do let me know if the method I suggested works for you or if you need further assistance.