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Marek2026's avatar
Marek2026
Copper Contributor
Jan 20, 2026

Windows 11 - Windows Update - Automatic restart after update

Hello

We migrated our systems to Windows 11 24H2 from Windows 10. We encountered a problem with Windows 11 24H2 automatically restarting after installing an update. A message appears that the system will restart in 15 minutes. The user can click a different time. After a few minutes, the message that the system will restart appears again. How do I disable automatic restarting after installing the update? We have set the active hours for the system and the "No auto-restart with logged on users for scheduled automatic updates installations" option. When we had Windows 10, the system would not restart. After installing the December update for Windows 11, the system forced a restart.

The problem occurs on all computers. How do I disable automatic restart?

Update via Wsus. Windows Update configured via GPO

community
configuration
device management
security
Update management

2 Replies

  • ScottM56's avatar
    ScottM56
    Copper Contributor
    Apr 15, 2026

    I really need some help.

    I am a PLM Enterprise Architect contractor that is involved in large Data Migration/Transformation projects. I do both project management and technical development and analytics. There are many times that I have to run SQL, VBA, cSharp, scripts that run over night and act on millions of rows to create load sets and POC's.

    Last night was one of those runs and Win 11 did an auto Restart after a security update (

    KB5083769) and I lost 3 days of work and am not prepared for my management presentation today. This has happened many times with Win 11. It did NOT happen with Win 10.

    I really need to completely disable auto Restart in Windows 11 25H2. The auto Restart is costing me thousands of dollars of lost billable time.

    I only want to be notified that a Restart is required so that I can postpone the Restart and prep my Lenovo P16 i9-13950HX 128gb ram for a manual Restart: close Excel, Visio, VMware Virtual Machines, etc.

    I looked for the "Restart Options" as you listed above but it's not on the page. 

    I have tried policy settings listed in tech community sites and they don't work.

    Thanks in advance

    Scott

  • Aylaanin's avatar
    Aylaanin
    Iron Contributor
    Jan 21, 2026

    Change the Update Settings

    Go to Settings > Windows Update.

    Click on Advanced options.

    Scroll down to Restart options.

    Select Only restart this device if there are no other users logged on.