Unless you have changed the default settings of Windows Update, Windows 10 automatically downloads and installs available updates. After installing the update(s), Windows 10 might need to reboot your PC to complete installing the update(s).
Unlike in previous versions of Windows, there is a nifty feature in Windows 10 to help users stop Windows 10 from automatically rebooting PC to finish installing updates. That is, you can stop Windows 10 from automatically restarting when you’re using it by properly configuring active hours.
Use Active hours to stop Windows 10 from the auto-restart to install updates
Active Hours is nothing but the time of the day when you don’t want Windows 10 to automatically restart to install updates. The Active Hours feature allows you to set Active hours up to 18 hours (12 hours in Anniversary Update and prior builds). For instance, if you set active hours from 6 AM to 11 PM, Windows 10 will not restart your PC during that period to finish installing updates.
And if in case, you’re using your PC outside active hours, Windows 10 will display a notification before restarting your PC so that you can save your work, if any.
Lastly, you can navigate to Settings > Update & security > Windows Update to check if there is a scheduled restart outside of active hours. And if you want to install an update during active hours, click the Restart now button.
Set Active hours in Windows 10
Here is how to set Active hours in Windows 10 to stop Windows 10 from automatically restring your PC to finish installing updates during your Active hours.
Step 1: Open Settings app and navigate to Update & Security > Windows Update.
Step 2: Click Change active hours link.
Step 3: Here, turn off the Automatically adjust active hours for this device based on activity option so that you can manually set the active hours. Click the Change link.
Step 4: Set the start time and end time. Click the Save button.
For instance, if you don’t want Windows 10 to restart between 8 AM and 9 PM, choose 9 as start time and 21 as end time.
If you’re having issues in downloading or installing updates, use Windows Update troubleshooter.
