How to Stop Windows Update from Restarting Your PC

For a typical computer user, the Windows Update feature is both a blessing and a curse. While it improves system security by installing necessary updates and patches, it can also disrupt your workflow by initiating unexpected system restarts.

Fortunately, there are ways to stop Windows Update from restarting your PC. This tutorial will shed more light on these methods. Remember, always update your system when you’re not busy with critical tasks. Let’s begin.

Method 1: Using the Settings Option

Windows 10 provides a fairly straightforward method to control automatic system restarts after updates. To use this method:

1. Navigate to 'Settings' from the Menu.

2. Click on 'Update & security.'

3. In the left pane, click Windows Update.

4. In the right-pane, click “Advanced options.”

5. Under 'Pause Updates,' select the number of days you want to pause updates or choose a date.

Method 2: Using the Group Policy Editor

If you're using Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, your best bet would be to use the Group Policy Editor. Here’s how:

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.

2. Type 'gpedit.msc' and press Enter.

3. Navigate through 'Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Update.'

4. Double click on 'No auto-restart with logged on users for scheduled automatic updates installations.'

5. Select 'Enabled' and then Apply.

6. Click OK.

Method 3: Using the Registry Editor

This method works best for Windows 10 Home users since they don’t have access to the Group Policy Editor. A word of caution: Manipulating the registry can lead to system problems. Here's how to use this method:

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.

2. Type 'regedit' and press Enter.

3. Navigate to the key 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> Microsoft -> Windows -> CurrentVersion -> WindowsUpdate -> Auto Update.'

4. Right-click on “Auto Update,”

5. Click 'New -> DWORD (32-bit) value.'

6. Name the new value “NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers” and press Enter.

7. Double click on the new value and change its value data to 1.

8. Click OK.

Method 4: Using Active Hours

Finally, you can simply tell Windows not to restart your PC during your working hours. To do this:

1. Go to 'Settings -> Update & Security <- Windows Update.'

2. Click on 'Change active hours.'

3. Set the start and end times according to your schedule and hit save.

While these methods may help keep unexpected system restarts at bay, it’s important to understand the essence of updates in keeping your system running smoothly. A good approach would be to schedule updates for when you’re not using your PC.