Disable Windows 10 automatic restart after updates

1: Only some hate this feature and I am not one of them. So happy!

2. What update is it? Only updates like the cumulative ones and cumulative.net... requires a restart. Plus, it will only ask for a restart after the update (cumulative) is done downloading and finished installing. Actually, after restarting, then it will counts as a successful install. Normally, Windows will not ask for a restart, or automatically restart, never heard off automatically restart unless it pertains to that update. I never have that issue before.

If u are fine with W10 restarting your system without permission that's great. And I can see how the average user might not have an issue with it either. However I run a gaming server that a great many people play on. When W10 restarts without my input it causes issues like damaged save files. Then there is the fact that people can't log on cuz W10 shut everything down. I've also wasted a bunch of time compiling video overnight just to find out it was interrupted by a W10 shutdown. And no it's not everyday but once or twice is enough. I am my own admin. Make it an advanced option. Updates are fine and needed. But allow me to use my computer(s) when and how I see fit.

Is anyone at Microsoft listening to these hundreds of lost-work stories?  Or are they keeping this protocol in place as a CYA maneuver to prevent blowback from users whose systems get hacked because their security measures weren't kept patched by the periodic updates?

If the latter, then how about providing a contractual workaround for users who want to accept responsibility for their own systems whereby Microsoft will be held harmless for any loss, damage, or legal liability caused by delaying an update?

Just a thought.  Are you listening Microsoft?

The only way I've found to REALLY work, which has actually prevented these unattended restarts, is to disconnect internet physically from the computer when I'm not sitting at it. I make sure that no WiFi can connect automatically and I pull out the ethernet cable. I've done this for months now with stable results (No restarts).

Last night I had to do a backup transfer to one of my cloud services, so I had to leave internet connected overnight. And wouldn't you know it - Windows found out and restarted during the backup, which corrupted all the files on the cloud service!

Why was this a design choice you made? How is this user friendly in ANY way? I know companies who've lost MILLIONS because of this, technicians who've lost their jobs because there is no STABLE way to know for sure when or how the system will reboot. The lack of response from Microsoft is just utterly irresponsible.  

This issue walks hand in hand with the deepthroathing "feature" that is telemetry. When enough people has lost their work, there is no way back from this - and the switch cost will be endlessly low. No wonder Apple can charge premium when people just look for a way to control when they can reboot. SERIOUSLY microsoft, this has to stop, NOW.

So the best "official" solution appears to be this:

1. Use (or upgrade to) Windows 10 Pro.
2. Set the group policy settings, per the second comment in this thread.

The rest of us who are stuck with Windows 10 Home must try the various workaround solutions provided in this thread.

Setting your operating hours is a worthless solution, and the person who suggested that should hang their head in shame and never again post in this group. That might work for a corporate PC, but I use my PC at all times of the day with no regular pattern. Plus, you're only allowed to block off a maximum of 18 hours, which is unrealistic.

As far as I can tell, the only official solution is to enable the "Show a notification when your PC requires a restart to finish updating" in the advanced settings. But for some reason this option was disabled for me. I know for certain that I never disabled it, so Windows must have done that.

Alternatively, if you know you're going to be doing something that cannot be interrupted, you can pause updates for up to 35 days. This is not, however, a viable permanent solution.

And finally, I remember reading somewhere that Windows would not automatically restart if you were busy using the computer. This appears to no longer be the case. I was playing an online game the other day, when Windows decided to do an automatic restart. I had no warning. One moment I'm playing my game, the next I see a screen with "Restarting" in the middle.

I find it somewhat mind boggling that Microsoft decided to implement automatic restarts the way it has. Someone, somewhere, thinks this is a good idea. Whoever you are, know that you've made life more difficult for a lot of people.

Windows ten update auto restart just lost a week of my work.. Can I sue Microsoft.. how do I handle this?

We all wish!!! The response will be Save and Backup. You can pay for online space with MS for your backups in the cloud. 

But the truth is that it would appear they don't give a hoot about small users. I never received a call back after putting in a support request regarding this issue either. Possibly all their funds have gone toward the telephone help desk and training people to tell users how to restart their systems.

Such a sad state of affairs and I wish there were something that could be done legally to hold them accountable.