How do I stop Windows Update from restarting my computer in Windows 7 Home Premium?

Anonymous
2009-11-04T14:27:38+00:00

While I do not mind Windows Update automatically updating my PC, hacing it force a reboot when I am logged in is causing a problem.  I currently have WU set to perform the updates at 3am, and when it finished, if there needs to be a reboot, I am not there to tell it to wait.  I would prefer to leave the time settings as they are, and simply disable the automatic reboot, instead opting for WU to let me know it needs to reboot the PC.  I found ways of doing this in XP and Vista, including registry edits and group policy modifications.  However, The registry is obviously slightly different so the keys do not exist compared to what I found, and since I am running Home Premium I do not have gpedit.

Where in the registry can I make a change so I don't have lost data when WU resets my computer at night?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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Anonymous
2009-11-05T21:05:54+00:00

Another way to do it without hacking the registry, which can be scary for some users), is to follow the instructions on the following website:

http://weblogs.asp.net/jgalloway/archive/2006/02/11/438009.aspx

I've pasted in the main parts of it, in case the link goes dead (but no nice pictures though):

  1. Go to Start -> Run(or in Vista and 7 simply press the windows orb)
  2. Type: gpedit.msc
  3. Expand Local Computer Policy / Computer Configuration / Administrative Templates / Windows Components / Windows Update
  4. Double-click "No auto-restart for scheduled Automatic Updates installations"
  5. Select "Enabled", then OK. Close the Group Policy configuration program.

That should stop it autorestarting.

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-08-23T14:32:34+00:00

    Hi WriteOn,

    Please see the following article regarding automatic updates:

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Turn-automatic-updating-on-or-off

    If you have further questions, please start your own question and provide any details so we can further assist you:

    http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistawu

    Thank you.

    Debra

    Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

    Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-08-22T19:04:23+00:00

    Debra,

    I know it's important to get spam out of here, but I had a question and it wasn't even acknowledged. Was there a reason that Microsoft decided to reboot our computers without getting in our face about it first? What is so urgent that some Windows Updates can't wait until we shut our computers down ourselves?

    Thanks,

    Lucy

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-08-16T18:47:02+00:00

    Hi hs2n,

    Please note that posting SPAM in any Microsoft forum violates theCode of Conduct. Kindly read the document and adhere to its policies. We have deleted  the posts in question, but please know that you risk being banned from posting in all Microsoft forums if violation continues.

    Thank you for your cooperation

    Debra

    Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

    Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-08-16T16:51:54+00:00

    Just try installing the update via command line with WuInstall (http://www.wuinstall.com)

    Never triggers a reboot by default (only with /reboot or /reboot_if_needed)

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