Dear Tuna,
You've implemented the following settings to prevent automatic restarts:
- Group Policy: Disable Auto-Restart if there are logged-in users when installing scheduled automatic updates → Enabled Configure Automatic Updates → Enabled with option 4 (Auto download and schedule installation)
- Services: Windows Update service → Disabled
Despite these configurations, your system continues to reboot after updates. Let's explore additional steps that may help.
- Set Active Hours Navigate to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced Options > Active Hours Define a time range when the device is actively used (e.g., 00:00–23:59 for 24/7 operation) This helps Windows avoid restarts during those hours.
- Use Group Policy to Prevent Reboots for Feature Updates Open gpedit.msc and go to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage End User Experience Enable "No auto-restart with logged on users for scheduled automatic updates installations"
- Configure Update Notifications Instead of Automatic Install In Group Policy: Configure Automatic Updates → Set to option 2: Notify for download and notify for install This gives you full control over when updates are applied.
- Use Windows Update for Business Policies For enterprise environments, consider using Windows Update for Business to defer feature and quality updates. You can configure this via Group Policy or MDM tools like Intune.
- Check for Scheduled Tasks Open Task Scheduler and review any tasks under: Microsoft > Windows > UpdateOrchestrator Disable or modify tasks like Reboot or Schedule Scan if appropriate.
- Review Update Compliance via Registry Check the following registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU Confirm that NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers is set to 1
Please back up your system and registry before making changes.
If this guidance proves helpful, feel free to click “Accept Answer” so we know we’re heading in the right direction 😊. And of course, I’m here if you need further clarification or support. T&B, Domic.