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To reduce the chance Windows restarts while you’re working, set Active hours. If an update is already waiting for a restart, use Schedule the restart in Windows Update to choose a time. You can pause updates temporarily, but Do Not Disturb only silences notifications—it does not schedule or cancel an update restart.
Choose the right control for the situation
| Control | Use it when | What it changes | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active hours | You want to reduce automatic restarts during your usual work time | Helps Windows avoid automatic update restarts during the hours you select | It does not disable updates or guarantee that every restart can be deferred indefinitely. (Microsoft Support) |
| Schedule the restart | An update is already waiting for a restart | Lets you choose a convenient time for that pending restart | The option appears when a restart is needed; it is not a recurring update schedule. (Microsoft Support) |
| Pause updates | You need a short delay for a deadline, trip, or presentation | Pauses updates until the date you select | Windows 11 allows a pause of up to 35 days under current Microsoft guidance; updates resume afterward. (Microsoft Support) |
| Do Not Disturb | You want fewer notification interruptions | Silences notifications during selected times or activities | It manages notifications, not update restart timing. (Microsoft Support) |
Set Active hours in Windows 11
Active hours tell Windows when you usually use your PC. Microsoft says they help prevent inconvenient restarts.
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- Open Start > Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options.
- Select Active hours.
- Under the control for adjusting active hours, choose Automatically to let Windows adjust them based on device activity, or choose Manually and set the start and end times for your normal schedule.
Active hours reduce the chance of an automatic restart during those hours; they are not a way to postpone every required restart forever. (Microsoft Support)
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesSchedule a restart for an update already waiting
- Open Settings > Windows Update.
- When a restart is pending, select Schedule the restart.
- Choose a convenient time.
The scheduling option is relevant when Windows needs a restart to finish an update, so it may not be visible otherwise. Windows may also prompt you to choose a restart time if it has not been able to restart while the device is unused. (Microsoft Support)
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Pause updates for a temporary conflict
In Windows 11, open Settings > Windows Update and choose Pick a date in the Pause updates control. Microsoft currently documents a maximum pause of 35 days from the current date. When the pause ends, Windows checks for, downloads, and installs available updates. Use this for a short-term conflict, not as a permanent way to turn updating off. (Microsoft Support)
Silence notifications without changing restart timing
Windows Do Not Disturb can silence notifications during chosen times or activities. Notification settings also let you control which apps can send alerts and how those alerts appear. These settings reduce interruptions from notifications; for update restart timing, use Active hours or Schedule the restart instead. (Microsoft Support)
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Windows 10 and support status
Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. That includes free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, and security fixes. Microsoft’s Windows Update FAQ and active-hours page still include Windows 10 instructions, but those instructions do not change the support status. For a currently supported setup, use the Windows 11 steps above. (Microsoft Support; Microsoft Support)
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What to know about Windows 11’s monthly restart experience
Microsoft says a combined monthly restart experience applies to Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1 for updates released on and after July 28, 2026. Under that experience, driver, .NET, and firmware updates are aligned with the monthly security update for one restart. The monthly security update is typically released on the second Tuesday of each month; this is a usual schedule, not a guaranteed restart date for an individual PC.
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Availability is rolling out gradually and may vary by device. Some updates may still install as soon as available, including Defender security intelligence updates, AI component updates, critical or expedited driver updates, and emergency or out-of-band updates. (Microsoft Support)
Quick Recap
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