Configure Windows 10 Update Through Registry

In this tutorial, you will learn how to control Windows update settings through the registry. For controlling Windows Update settings follow the steps below.

Enable and Configure Windows Update From Registry Settings

In this tutorial, you will learn how to control Windows update settings through the registry. For controlling Windows Update settings follow the steps below.

1. Press Winkey+R to open Run
2. Enter Regedit phrase then press OK

1. In the Windows registry page, locate the following address.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

1. Right click on Windows directory and select Key option in New

1. Enter WindowsUpdate as the new directory’s name.
2. Now, right click on WindowsUpdate directory which you created at the previous step and again create a new directory by selecting Key option in New Enter AU as this directory’s name.

1. Right click on AU directory and select DWORD option in New

1. Enter AUOptions as new DWORD key’s name.

1. Double click on AUOptions to open Edit DWORD (32-bit) Value
2. At this section you have to enter a number between 2 and 5 as value data. This are the meanings of the values:

2: Before downloading and installing any updates, you will be notified.

3: Updates will automatically be downloaded and will notify you before installation.

4: Automatically download and automatically set the time to install it.

5: Allow and access to the local system admin to select the update status

You must enter one number from the above list. We recommend using the using value 2, as the user will be informed before any action.

How to Enable Windows Update in the Windows Registry

Related

Perhaps it’s because Windows is such a robust operating system, or perhaps it’s just because Microsoft keeps layering new features over the old, but there’s usually more than one way to get things done. A case in point is the ability to enable or disable updates in Windows.

Windows updates often include vital security updates, so ensuring the computers in your organization are updated in a timely manner is extremely important. By default, Windows 10 is set to download and install updates automatically when prompted. As of November 2019, users can’t disable updates, but they can pause them for a week at a time.

Windows Update Options

Windows 10 gives users options for its updates. It’s a two-step process, as the update files are first downloaded to the computer before installation.

Downloads: You can have updates downloaded automatically or have the system prompt the user to download them when it’s convenient. Having them download automatically should not be a problem, as these downloads are designed not to interfere with other processes. However, if the user has poor internet service and is trying to stream video or download other files, it could slow down the system.

Installation: Once the update is downloaded, a pop-up prompts the user to update the system, either immediately or at a more convenient time. Most updates take only a few minutes, but it’s often necessary to restart the computer when the update is complete.

Administrators have the option to schedule updates for specific times and dates using Group Policy or a Windows Update registry fix.

Before Changing Registry Settings

If you’re only concerned about your own computer, there should be no need to edit the registry to enable automatic updates. If you don’t think your computer is being updated, click the Windows Start button in the bottom right corner and select Settings, followed by Update & Security and then Windows Update.

If there are updates available, you will see them in the Windows Update window. From there, you can install them immediately or select a time that is most convenient for you. If you want the updates to be installed overnight, remember to leave your computer on or in sleep mode at the end of the day.

Windows Update Group Policy: Windows 10

If your computers are in a network using Active Directory, the network administrator can use a Group Policy to force each computer to update Windows automatically whenever an update is available.

With an administrator’s username and password, navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Configure Automatic Updates.

Select Auto download and notify for Install to have updates downloaded as soon as they are available. After the update is downloaded in the background, the user is prompted to install it. Alternatively, you can select Auto download and schedule the Install and then set the time for the installation to occur.

Windows Update Registry Settings: Windows 10

If you don’t have access to Active Directory, changing the registry setting is the next best option. However, only an experienced network administrator should do this.

1. Click the Start button, type «regedit» in the Search field, and then open the Registry Editor.

2. Navigate to the registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Policies > Microsoft > Windows > WindowsUpdate > AU.

3. In the right pane of the registry editor, select NoAutoUpdate and turn it to 0 to enable automatic updates. The other option, 1, activates this feature, thus disabling automatic updates.

4. Select AUOptions in the right pane and ensure it is not set to 1, which disables automatic updates.

5. Select ScheduledInstallDay to specify installations that happen on a specific day of the week. Select 0 to have downloaded updates installed on the day they are downloaded or select 1 (Sunday) through 7 (Saturday) to choose a specific day.

6. Select ScheduledInstallTime to choose the time updates are installed. Windows uses a 24-hour clock, so 0 is midnight, while 23 is 11:00 p.m.

7. Select RescheduleWaitTime to specify how long Windows should wait if it is unable to install the update at the scheduled time. You can specify a wait time of 1 to 60 minutes.

Windows Update: FAQ

Note: If you’re looking for Microsoft Office update info, see Install Office updates.

In Windows 10, you decide when and how to get the latest updates to keep your device running smoothly and securely. When you update, you’ll get the latest fixes and security improvements, helping your device run efficiently and stay protected. In most cases, restarting your device completes the update. Make sure your device is plugged in when you know updates will be installed.

If other questions come up when you update Windows 10, here are some other areas that might interest you:

When you only want info about updating Windows 10, you’ll find answers to many of your questions here:

When the Windows 10 May 2020 Update is ready for your device, it will be available to download and install from the Windows Update page in Settings. Choose a time that works best for you to download the update. You’ll then need to restart your device and complete the installation. After that, your device will be running Windows 10, version 2004.

To manually check for the latest recommended updates, select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Windows Update .

To get help updating to the latest version of Windows 10, go to the Microsoft software download page and download the Update Assistant.

Some updates may not be available on all devices at the same time—we’re making sure updates are ready and compatible.

To stay up to date, select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Windows Update , and then select Check for updates.

If a feature update is available for your device, it will appear separately on the Windows Update page. To install it, select Download and install now.

Here are a few things you can try if you’re having trouble installing updates:

Make sure that your device is connected to the internet. Downloading updates requires an internet connection.

If you’re connected the internet, try to install the updates manually. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Windows Update , and then view available updates.
Check for updates

Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot . Under Get up and running, select Windows Update.

The time required to download updates primarily depends on internet connection speed, network settings, and update size. Make sure your device is plugged in and connected to the internet to download updates faster.

You can’t stop updates entirely—because they help keep your device safe and secure, updates will eventually need to be installed and downloaded, regardless of your update settings. Here’s how to temporarily pause updates from being downloaded and installed. Note that after the pause limit is reached, you’ll need to install the latest updates before you can pause updates again.

In the Windows 10 November 2019 Update (version 1909) or later, or in Windows version 1809 for Pro or Enterprise, select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update . Then choose one of the following options:

Select Pause updates for 7 days.

Select Advanced options. Then, in the Pause updates section, select the drop-down menu and specify a date for updates to resume.

To finish installing an update, your device will need to restart. Windows will try to restart your device when you’re not using it. If it can’t, you’ll be asked to schedule the restart for a more convenient time. Or, you can schedule anytime by following these steps:

Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Windows Update .

Select Schedule the restart and choose a time that’s convenient for you.

You can set active hours to make sure automatic restarts for updates only happen when you’re not using your device. Learn about active hours for Windows 10.

Try deleting files you don’t need, uninstalling apps you don’t use, or moving files to another drive like an external USB drive or OneDrive. For more tips on freeing up disk space, see Free up drive space in Windows 10.

We recommend keeping devices like laptops and tablets plugged in when you’re not using them. This way, if updates are installed outside active hours, your device will have enough power to complete the installation. Windows updates don’t consume more battery than other typical system processes.

An update history is available so you can see which updates were installed, and when. You can also use this list to remove specific updates, although we don’t recommend this unless it’s necessary.

Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Windows Update > View update history .

For more info about what’s included in updates for Windows 10, see Windows 10 update history.

We don’t recommend that you remove any installed updates. However, if you must remove an update, you can do so in update history.

Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates.

Select the update you want to remove, then select Uninstall.

Feature updates are typically released twice per year and include new functionality and capabilities as well as potential fixes and security updates. Quality updates are more frequent and mainly include small fixes and security updates. Windows is designed to deliver both kinds of updates to devices through Windows Update.

To double check that your device is up to date, open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and see your update status and available updates.

To find which version of Windows you’re running, see Which version of Windows operating system am I running?

Reserved storage is not automatically turned on by Windows in any update scenarios. It is only turned on for new devices with the Windows 10 May 2019 Update (version 1903) or later preinstalled, or devices on which a clean install was performed.

Note: If you’re looking for Microsoft Office update info, see Install Office updates.

The best way to keep Windows 8.1 up to date is to turn on automatic updates. With automatic updates, you don’t have to search for updates online or worry about missing critical fixes or device drivers for your PC. Instead, Windows Update automatically installs important updates as they become available.

To turn on automatic updates:

Open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen (or, if you’re using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up), select Settings > Change PC settings > Update and recovery > Windows Update. If you want to check for updates manually, select Check now.

Select Choose how updates get installed, and then, under Important updates, select Install updates automatically (recommended).

Under Recommended updates, select Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates.

Under Microsoft Update, select Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows, and then select Apply.

Click the questions below to see answers about how Windows Update keeps your device up to date.

Note: If your PC is connected to a network where updates are managed by Group Policy, you might not be able to change settings related to Windows Update. For more info, contact your organization’s technical support.

Open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen (or, if you’re using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up), select Settings > Change PC settings > Update and recovery > Windows Update. To check for updates manually, select Check now.

An update history is available so you can see which updates were installed, and when. You can also use this list to remove specific updates, although we don’t recommend this unless it’s necessary.

To see your PC’s update history, open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen (or, if you’re using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up), select Settings > Change PC settings > Update and recovery > Windows Update > View your update history.

We don’t recommend that you remove any installed updates. However, if you must remove an update, you can do so in update history.

Open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen (or, if you’re using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up), select Settings > Change PC settings > Update and recovery > Windows Update > View your update history.

Select the update you want to remove, then select Uninstall.

Here are a few things to try if you’re having problems installing updates:

Make sure that your PC is connected to the internet. Some updates can’t be installed if you’re using a metered internet connection.

If you’re connected the internet and updates aren’t installed automatically, wait a few minutes and then try to install the updates manually.

See the Fix Windows Update errors guided walkthrough to try to fix the problem.

Support for Windows 7 ended on January 14, 2020

We recommend you move to a Windows 10 PC to continue to receive security updates from Microsoft.

Click the questions below to see answers about how Windows Update keeps your device up to date.