Scheduling Windows Updates

Dear loyall

Thank you for posting in the Microsoft community.

You may refer to the following scenarios that

Solution to disable Windows updates

Press WIN+R and type

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" /v NoAutoUpdate /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

it will deploy a group policy for you to disable WINDOWS updates.

Disclaimer: Modifying the registry or workgroups is usually geared towards advanced users, administrators, and IT professionals, and it can help fix some problems, however, improper registry modifications can cause serious problems. Therefore, please make sure to strictly follow the steps below. For further protection, make a backup of the registry before modifying it. For more information on how to backup and restore the registry ref:How to back up and restore the registry in Windows - Microsoft Support

It will help you to define Windows Update as the Windows Update that will be downloaded only after you click on Check for Updates.

This way Windows Update will not bother you anymore.

Hope this will fulfill your needs.

Best Wish

Shawn.Z-MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Hi Martin. I don't see how your three recommended options will solve my problem. As I said, I want to prevent Windows update from downloading and installing updates between 8 am and 10 am once a month or whenever the Windows updates are pushed out. What am I missing?

1. Setting active hours doesn't prevent the troublesome downloads and installs. As far as I know, active hours only prevents restarts.
2. I do not have a metered connection. Wouldn't setting to "metered connection" have undesirable consequences that interfere with the operation of my computer. Otherwise what is the purpose and function of identifying as a permanently metered connection?
3. Hide a specific update? I don't see how one can automatically hide updates that you don't know when they will come, and then only postpone them for two hours?

It happened again this morning. For one and one half hours my computer became practically unusable as it took several minutes to react to each mouse click.

It seems there must be some way to keep using my computer during important morning business hours without turning off auto-update. Isn't the active hours setting in Windows Update intended to permit continued use of one's computer, while allowing auto-updates?

Dear loyall,

Welcome to the Microsoft Community

To prevent Windows 10 from downloading and installing updates during your work hours, you can adjust your settings to find a balance that meets your needs. Note that while you can set active hours to those times when updates will not reboot your system, fine-grained control over download and install times might require a more hands-on approach.

Here’s how to schedule and manage Windows Updates more effectively:

Adjust Active Hours

Active hours prevent Windows from restarting your device to install updates during times you’re actively using the computer. However, it doesn’t fully prevent downloads or installs.

Press Win + I to open Settings.

Go to Update & Security > Windows Update.

Select Change active hours.

You can set a custom interval (e.g., 7am to 10pm) where Windows generally will not restart to apply updates.

Configure Network Settings to Avoid Updates During Work Hours

A workaround can be setting your network to a "Metered Connection," which can limit when updates are downloaded.

Press Win + I to open Settings.

Go to Network & Internet > Wi-Fi or Ethernet (whichever you use).

Click on your network connection.

Toggle Set as metered connection to On.

Hide a specific update:

• Download the Tool: First, you need to download the “Show or Hide Updates” tool. You can find it on the official Microsoft website.
• Run the Tool: Once downloaded, double-click on the file to run it. This tool is a portable application, so you don’t need to install it.
• Choose the Option: In the main window, click the “Next” button to continue. Since you want to hide the updates, click on the “Hide Updates” option.
• Select the Updates: The application will now scan your system and list all the available updates. Select the checkbox next to the update you want to hide and click on the “Next” button.
• Hide the Updates: The application will now hide the selected update automatically. Once hidden, you will see the “fixed” message on the next screen. Click on the “Close” button, and you are done.

Feel free to reach out if you have further questions or need more detailed assistance.

Best Regards,

Martin | Microsoft Community Support Specialist