How to Stop Windows 11 from Restarting Automatically

Learn how to disable the automatic restarts in Windows 11 that can interrupt your work and cause data loss.

Problem

Some users may find it annoying that Windows 11 automatically restarts their PC to install updates without giving them a choice or a warning. This can be frustrating if you are working on something important and have unsaved files or programs open. In this article, we will show you how to stop Windows 11 from restarting automatically and how to manage your updates more effectively.

Solution 1: Change the Active Hours to Disable Automatic Restarts in Windows 11

One of the easiest ways to prevent Windows 11 from restarting automatically is to change the active hours in the settings. Active hours are the time period when you usually use your PC and don’t want it to restart. By default, Windows 11 sets the active hours from 8 AM to 5 PM, but you can customize them according to your schedule.

To change the active hours, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app by pressing Windows + I keys or clicking on the Start menu and selecting Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security and then on Windows Update.
3. Click on Change active hours under Update settings.
4. Adjust the Start time and End time sliders to set the hours when you don’t want your PC to restart. You can set up to 18 hours of active hours per day.
5. Click on Save to apply the changes.

Now, Windows 11 will not restart your PC during the active hours that you specified. However, it may still restart your PC outside the active hours, so make sure you save your work and close your applications before leaving your PC.

Solution 2: Pause Updates to Disable Automatic Restarts in Windows 11

Another way to stop Windows 11 from restarting automatically is to pause the updates for a certain period of time. This will prevent Windows 11 from downloading and installing any updates until you resume them manually. However, this option is only available for up to 35 days, after which Windows 11 will resume the updates automatically.

To pause the updates, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app by pressing Windows + I keys or clicking on the Start menu and selecting Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security and then on Windows Update.
3. Click on Pause updates for 7 days under Update settings. You can also click on Advanced options and select a specific date to pause the updates until.
4. Click on Confirm to apply the changes.

Now, Windows 11 will not restart your PC to install any updates until you resume them manually. However, you should not pause the updates for too long, as this may expose your PC to security risks and performance issues.

Solution 3: Edit the Registry to Disable Automatic Restarts in Windows 11

If you want to disable the automatic restarts in Windows 11 permanently, you can edit the registry and change some values. However, this method is not recommended for novice users, as it may cause system instability or damage if done incorrectly. Therefore, you should backup your registry and create a system restore point before proceeding.

To edit the registry, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU
4. If you don’t see the AU key, right-click on the WindowsUpdate key and select New > Key. Name it AU and press Enter.
5. Right-click on the AU key and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers and press Enter.
6. Double-click on the NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers value and change its data to 1. Click on OK to save the changes.
7. Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC.

Now, Windows 11 will not restart your PC automatically to install updates if there are any users logged on. However, you will still receive notifications to restart your PC manually when an update is ready.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: Why Does Windows 11 Restart Automatically?

Answer: Windows 11 restarts automatically to apply the updates that it downloads from the internet. These updates are essential for keeping your PC secure and up to date with the latest features and bug fixes. However, sometimes Windows 11 may not notify you before restarting your PC or give you enough time to save your work and close your applications. This can result in data loss, corrupted files, or unfinished tasks.

Question: How do I check for updates in Windows 11?

Answer: To check for updates in Windows 11, open the Settings app and click on Update & Security. Then, click on Check for updates under Windows Update. Windows 11 will scan for any available updates and download them automatically. You can also click on Advanced options to view and manage your update settings and history.

Question: How do I restart my PC in Windows 11?

Answer: To restart your PC in Windows 11, click on the Start menu and select Power. Then, click on Restart. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys and click on the Power icon at the bottom right corner of the screen. Then, click on Restart.

Question: How do I disable automatic updates in Windows 11?

Answer: There is no official way to disable automatic updates in Windows 11, as they are mandatory for keeping your PC secure and up to date. However, you can pause the updates for up to 35 days or edit the registry to prevent Windows 11 from restarting automatically to install updates. However, these methods are not recommended, as they may expose your PC to security risks and performance issues.

Summary

In this article, we have shown you how to stop Windows 11 from restarting automatically and how to manage your updates more effectively. We have explained why Windows 11 restarts automatically, how to change the active hours, how to pause the updates, and how to edit the registry. We have also answered some frequently asked questions about Windows 11 updates and restarts.