Schedule Restart Time for Windows Update in Windows 10

Schedule Restart Time for Windows Update in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Help Forums (2025)

How to Schedule a Restart Time for Windows Update in Windows 10

Windows Update keeps Windows 10 updated by downloading and installing the latest updates, drivers, and hotfixes released by Microsoft.

Starting with Windows 10 build 14316, you can now set the time in which you are most active on your device by adjusting active hours. Active hours lets Windows know when you usually use this device. When a restart is necessary to finish installing an update, Windows won't automatically restart your device during active hours.

When a restart is scheduled, you can use a custom restart time to temporarily override active hours and schedule a custom time to finish installing the current update(s). When your computer restarts on the scheduled custom time, custom restart time will automatically be turned off, and Windows Update will only restart outside of active hours again. You can also manually turn off custom restart time at anytime if you change your mind.

See also: Providing customers with more choice and control in Creators Update

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off to schedule a custom restart time for Windows Update to override active hours in Windows 10.

You will need to make sure that your device is plugged in at the scheduled custom restart time, or your computer will be unable to restart.

If a restart is not currently scheduled by Windows Update, then the restart options below will be grayed out.

Contents

Option One: To Schedule a Time to Restart for Updates in Notification
Option Two: To Schedule a Time to Restart for Updates in Notification Icon
Option Three: To Schedule a Time to Restart for Updates in Settings

OPTION ONE

To Schedule a Time to Restart for Updates in Notification

1 If you get a We've got an update for you notification asking if you're ready to restart now to finish installing updates, click/tap on the option below in the notification for you want to do: (see screenshot below)

Option	Description
Restart now	The computer will be restarted now to finish installing updates.
Pick a time	Go to step 5 in Option Three below to schedule a time to restart.
Snooze	Will pause the update process completely for three days.

OPTION TWO

To Schedule a Time to Restart for Updates in Notification Icon

1 Right click or press and hold on the Windows Update Status notification icon on the taskbar. (see screenshot below)

2 Click/tap on Schedule restart, and go to step 5 in Option Three below to schedule a time to restart.

OPTION THREE

To Schedule a Time to Restart for Updates in Settings

1 Open Settings, and click/tap on the Update & Security icon.

2 Click/tap on Windows Update on the left side, and click/tap on the Schedule the restart link on the right side. (see screenshot below)

3 Do step 4 (off) or step 5 (on) below for what you would like to do.

4To Turn Off Using a Custom Restart Time

This is the default setting.

A) Turn off schedule a time, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below)

5To Turn On Schedule a Time to Restart

A) Turn on schedule a time. (see screenshot below)

B) Pick a time you want to schedule for this custom restart time, and click/tap on the check mark to apply.

C) Pick a day you want to schedule for this custom restart time.

D) Your device will now be scheduled to automatically restart at the time and date you set. Go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below)

6 You can now close Settings if you like.

That's it,
Shawn Brink