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Disable Restart Prompt After Installing Windows Updates

Get rid of the nag screen prompting you to restart your computer after installing windows updates every 10 minutes.

Click Start > Run (Win + R) to open the Run window.
In the Run window type gpedit.msc to open the Group Policy.
On the left pane, Click Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update.
On the right pane, double click on "Re-prompt for restart with scheduled installations".
Now you can either choose Disabled to disable the restart prompt completely or choose Enabled and change the amount of time windows will wait to re-prompt you for restarting (the default value is 10 minutes), you can enter the value that you prefer (in minutes) I recommend 180 (3 hours) specially if you usually use hibernate instead of shut down.
Click Ok and close the Group Ploicy.

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9 Comments

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Ivor Said,

Tue, 28 August 2007 03:36am (GMT)

Maximum minutes is 30, I tried 60 and it wouldn't allow me. Its easier if you enable "No restart after automatic updates"

TutorialsRoom Said,

Tue, 28 August 2007 05:45am (GMT)

No Ivor, I'm sure the maximum minutes is not 30 because I've set my computer to 180 (3 Hours). I don't recommend "No restart after automatic updates" because many people (including myself) prefer to Hibernate instead to Shutdown so I still need the reminder or the updates will not be installed correctly, I just hate it when it's every 10 minutes!

Agnelvoice Said,

Wed, 09 January 2008 10:28am (GMT)

When I type the "gpedit.msc" into the Run field, Windows cannot find that file. Is this configuration available only to XP Pro users and not Home users? :( That nag screen drives me NUTS!!! LOL

TutorialsRoom Said,

Wed, 09 January 2008 11:18am (GMT)

As I've mentioned in my tutorial: "This tutorial is not for Windows XP Home Edition"

James Said,

Wed, 13 February 2008 19:31pm (GMT)

Many thanks for posting this tip, you may have saved what little is left of my sanity.

Bob Said,

Mon, 16 March 2009 13:52pm (GMT)

Well, could you kindly suggest the method for Windows XP home?

Oscar Said,

Thu, 30 July 2009 07:52am (GMT)

Re-prompt for restart with scheduled installations Specifies the amount of time for Automatic Updates to wait before prompting again with a scheduled restart. If the status is set to Enabled, a scheduled restart will occur the specified number of minutes after the previous prompt for restart was postponed. If the status is set to Disabled or Not Configured, the default interval is 10 minutes. Note: This policy applies only when Automatic Updates is configured to perform scheduled installations of updates. If the "Configure Automatic Updates" policy is disabled, this policy has no effect.

Travis G Said,

Thu, 01 October 2009 01:27am (GMT)

For Bob, this might work: Run 'regedit' Traverse to the key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU Create a new DWORD value named 'RebootRelaunchTimeout' and set the value to whatever number of minutes you want. If you wish to disable it entirely, create a DWORD in the same folder named 'RebootRelaunchTimeoutEnabled' and give it value 0. This is exactly what the group policy editor (gpedit.msc) does, Home users just have to do it by hand.

Steven Said,

Mon, 09 November 2009 22:20pm (GMT)

Thank goodness for XP Pro, no offence...