Wang Kai

Most of the time, after Windows Update system update the OS, it will ask you to restart the Windows, either now or later. The restarting dialog will pop up once in a while, which is quite annoying. The most disgusting thing is that it will automatically restart the computer without your consent, if there is no user interaction for a certain period.

Although this mechanism might enforce the Windows Operating System to be applied with the latest patch in due course, it is very annoying if I’m currently working on this computer, or having some programs running. I need to run my program regularly when I’m conducting research works, where each program is likely to take a few days to finish. This Automatic Restarting mechanism has really screwed me (and my lovely programs) many times. Therefore, finally, I’d like it to be turned off so that the restarting time would be totally under my control.

How To Remove/Disable the Automatic Restart After Windows Updates?

1. Hit the Start button and click the “Run“.
2. Type “gpedit.msc” and press Enter. This will bring up the “Group Policy” configuration window. (for Windows Vista User, type “gpedit.msc” directly in the search box of Start menu)
3. Expand the list by following this path: Local Group Policy → Computer Configuration → Administrative Template → Windows Component → Windows Update
4. There is a bunch of different variables for you to configure on the right pane of “Windows Update” option. Find “No auto-restart for scheduled Automatic Updates Installations“, double click on it, then click on “Enabled” and hit Apply/OK.
5. After modification, a reboot is necessary for the new Group Policy to take effect.

The above method need a reboot to take effect. If you want to turn off the automatic restart IMMEDIATELY, there is another way of making this happen:

• Type “sc stop wuauserv” in the “Run” dialog . It will turn off the auto update service immediately (the yellow tray icon should be gone after doing this). Don’t worry about the Automatic Update Service, as it will start again at the next boot (as long as you don’t disable it).