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I've been using Windows 11 on my work laptop for over a year with no problems with automatic updates whatsoever.
Note that I am a software engineer and use a dual boot configuration with Linux and Windows 11. I use my laptop all day long at work, often rebooting, and REQUIRE the ability to control WHEN or IF updates are launched.
Recently it's been VERY OFTEN launching updates when I reboot to switch operating systems in the middle of my work-day or shutdown to pack it up in my backpack. In both cases, this is EXTREMELY annoying and inconvenient. Not only is there no warning this is about to happen, but the message on the screen says do not power off and has NO PROGRESS indicator!
Why has this only recently been a problem? and HOW CAN I MAKE IT STOP DOING THIS!
BTW, earlier today I stopped and disabled the Update Service BUT IT STILL UPDATED just now for more than an hour!
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Dave,
Thanks for the quick response!
1
If there is a pending update ... press Alt + F4
Can I easily tell if there's a pending update? (Windows 10 shows you right in the Start menu!) ... guess I'll need to get in the habit of using Alt + F4
2
In [Advanced Settings], you should be able to set your Active Hours ...
My active hours are 7:00 AM to 1:00 AM. That does NOT stop Windows 11 from updating when I shutdown or restart during those times.
Hi Daniel,
I am Dave, I will help you with this.
1
If there is a pending update, when you are shutting down or restarting your PC, on the Desktop press Alt + F4, you should have the option there to shut down or restart without installing any pending updates.
2
Open the Settings App, then go to Windows Updates - Advanced Settings.
In there, you should be able to set your Active Hours so that when you are working, updates may download, but they will never install during those hours.
That is true, do the only option then really is to use Ctrl + F4 to get the option to restart or shutdown without the update installing.
... you would see an icon with two rotating circles
Ah! I will have to keep an eye out for that. Thanks!
Try setting your Active Hours from 7:00am to 12:00 midnight ...
The description for Active Hours says: "We won't restart your device during these hours."
So technically that function is working as designed (because I'm the one triggering the restart!)
Usually at the bottom right of your screen on the taskbar, you would see an icon with two rotating circles if there was a pending update.
Try setting your Active Hours from 7:00am to 12:00 midnight, it may be that 1:00am is the following day and that may cause that function not to work correctly.
