If you are using a Windows computer, then you are familiar with the inconvenience that happens when the computer suddenly goes rebooting itself after downloading the new updates. A restart of your computer when you’re actively using it, on a meeting with a client or working on a deadline can give you a headache. It causes loss of unsaved work and you lose your precious time.
To deal with this issue Microsoft introduced a feature known as “Active hours” in the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. The feature allows you the luxury to decide when the downloaded updates should get installed. It delays the restart so that your work can run smoothly. But unfortunately, some users have complained that “Active Hours” don’t work after Windows 10 update download.
If you are one of those users that are living with this trouble, then you can go through the solutions given below.
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Set Active Hours in Windows 10
In case you didn’t know how to set Active Hours in your Windows computer, follow these steps.
- Start by opening the Settings
- Go to Update & security, then find Windows Update.
- In the Update’s setting section, check for ‘Change Active Hours.’
- Now, choose a Start time and End time. Set both the timings depending on your work schedule. Then, click Save before leaving.
- If you are using the recently updated Windows which automatically sets Active Hours based on the recognised pattern of your working hours, you can choose the “Automatically adjust active hours for this device based on activity.”
Now, go to the next solution if you didn’t have any problem setting the Active Hours on your computer.
How to configure Active Hours
You can configure Active Hours using the Update Settings UI. This will help you fix your issue. Follow these simple steps given below-
- Start by opening the Run dialog box. For which you have to press the Windows key + I.
- Open the Registry Editor by typing “regedit”
- When the User Account Control (UAC) Prompt comes up, press “Yes”
- Keep it in mind to create a backup file as making edits to the Registry can be risky.
- Go to ‘HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings’
- Right-click on a blank area.
- Choose New in the context menu and select DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- You have to name the New DWORD ‘IsActiveHoursEnabled’, then right-click on it and change the value data to 1.
- Save all the changes before leaving the Registry Editor.
- See if Active Hours works.
If the problem is happening again, go to the next solution.
Fix the issue by scheduling update installation
This solution only applies when your computer is managed by a group administrator on Windows Server 2019 version 1903. Start the process by following these steps-
- Press Windows key +R. The Run dialog box will open and now, type “msc” and press Enter.
- Go to the Configure Automatic Updates and double-click on it.
- Next, you have to choose
- Open the options and choose “Auto download and schedule the install.”
- Choose an appropriate time that suits you from the “Schedule install time“
- Save all the changes.
If the issue persists, try the next solution.
Stop automatic Windows update download
If you don’t want to get interrupted by Windows update, then stop the automatic Windows update download. But keep it in mind to download the updates manually. Otherwise, you will face other issues. Follow these steps given below-
- For your internet connection, set your internet as metered to stop Windows 10 from downloading updates.
- For a Wi-Fi network, start by pressing Windows logo key + I and open the Settings app.
- Click Network and Internet, select Wi-Fi. Now, click the name of the Wi-Fi network you are on.
- On the Properties page, choose the ‘Set as metered connection’
- For a wired Ethernet network, open the settings app to click on Network and Internet.
- Put the name of your Ethernet connection and enable ‘Set as metered connection.’
- You can also disable the Updates by following these steps- open the Run dialog box and type “msc“
- In the Services search for Windows Update.
- Select the Windows Update and choose the Stop icon.
- Right-click on the Windows Update and go to
- From the General tab, expand the ‘Startup type:’ drop-down and select Disabled.
- Click Apply then press
Updating Windows 10 is a necessary process that you need to run your Operating System smoothly. It fixes issues with the previous version, installing the latest drivers and hotfixes released by Microsoft, etc. Windows 10 has one of the most annoying features, the system’s ability to restart your computer for updates automatically. It disturbs your work. The Active Hours feature comes in rescue to save you from this problem.
Active Hours doesn’t interfere with the downloading of the Windows update. It only delays the restart process to save you from losing your time while you’re using your computer. And if you are having complaints about the Active Hours feature then follow the solutions given above and enjoy the updates. If you have any queries or feedback, please write down the comment in the comment box.