Windows 10 - Automatic restart after update

crombie

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For some reason this just started in the last year, even though I have the Group Policy "No auto-restart with logged on users for scheduled automatic updates installations" enabled. I am regularly on this machine, but I don't want it to reboot unless I have time to prep things like open documents, etc.

Has anyone else noticed this, or has Microsoft decided that some updates it will skip group policy and just reboot the machines? Interesting enough my work machine uses the administrator schedule, and so an update install is never a 'surprise'.

For my Windows 11 machine I do not care so much as there is never anything open in terms of documents, but it would be nice to have some control as well. The only real reason is that Steam starts on boot, and prevents my monitors from shutting off.
 

Paladin

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I believe they can force a reboot regardless but I have never tried the group policy route to block it. I just let it reboot as necessary for updates (outside work hours, etc.). I figured that was easier than trying to keep fighting them when they think they are rebooting it for a critical patch or whatever. I simply moved to using only applications that can automatically restore my session and that keep documents safe through reboot. Notepad++, Word with auto save/resume, etc. I simply don't worry about a reboot anymore, even when I feel like doing it myself for whatever reason. Feels better, man. ;)