There’s nothing more frustrating than having your server
automatically restart in the middle of an important task or during
business hours due to Windows updates. This guide will walk you through
the steps to disable automatic restarts after Windows updates on Windows
Server 2012 and 2022. Whether you want to prevent restarts when users
are logged in or disable them entirely, we’ve got you covered.
Using
Group Policy Editor to Disable Automatic Restarts
The Group Policy Editor is a powerful tool that
allows Windows Server administrators to fine-tune various system
settings and policies. In this section, we’ll explore how to leverage
the Group Policy Editor to disable automatic restarts after Windows
updates on Windows Server 2012 and 2022.
Disabling automatic restarts is useful in two main scenarios:
-
when you want to prevent automatic restarts during critical work
hours -
when users are actively logged in to the server
Follow clear instructions to configure the necessary settings in the
Group Policy Editor, ensuring a smoother update experience on your
Windows Server.
Step 1: Open Group
Policy Editor
Press Win + R, type “gpedit.msc,” and press
Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
Step 2:
Navigate to the Windows Update Policy
In the Group Policy Editor, go to Computer Configuration ->
Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows
Update.
Step
3: Configure “No auto-restart with logged on users for scheduled
automatic updates installations”
-
Locate the policy called “No auto-restart with logged on users
for scheduled automatic updates installations.” -
Double-click on this policy setting.
-
If you set the status to “Enabled,” Automatic Updates
will not restart the computer automatically during a
scheduled installation if a user is logged in. Instead, it will notify
the user to restart the computer. Please be aware that the computer must
be manually restarted for the updates to take effect.
Note: If the status is set to “Disabled” or “Not
Configured,” Automatic Updates will notify the user that the computer
will automatically restart in 5 minutes to complete the
installation.
Step 4: Apply and
Save
Click on Apply and then OK to save
your changes.
Step 5: Restart (if
necessary)
To ensure the changes take effect, you may need to restart the
server.
By following these steps and configuring the “No auto-restart with
logged on users for scheduled automatic updates installations” policy,
you can have more control over automatic restarts and ensure they align
with your server management needs.
Using
Task Scheduler to Prevent Automatic Restarts
If you prefer an alternative method to control automatic restarts
after Windows updates, you can leverage Task Scheduler. Follow these
steps to prevent automatic restarts using this approach:
Step 1: Open Task
Scheduler
Click on Start and type “Task Scheduler” in the
search bar. Select Task Scheduler from the results.
Step 2:
Navigate to the Update Orchestrator
In Task Scheduler, navigate to Task Scheduler Library -> Microsoft
-> Windows -> UpdateOrchestrator.
Step 3: Disable the
Reboot Task
Locate the task named “Reboot_AC” (or Reboot). If it is enabled,
right-click on Reboot_AC and select
Disable. This action will prevent the automatic reboot
task from executing.
By following these steps and ensuring that the “Reboot_AC” task is
disabled, you can effectively prevent automatic restarts after Windows
updates using Task Scheduler. This method provides you with an
additional layer of control, allowing you to manage reboots to suit your
server’s specific needs.
Additional Windows
Update Settings
In addition to using Group Policy Editor and Task Scheduler, you can
explore additional Windows Update settings to fine-tune your control
over automatic restarts. Here’s how:
Step 1:
Open Advanced Windows Update Options
Open the Start menu and search for Advanced Windows Update
options.
Step 2: Disable
Immediate Restart
In the Advanced Windows Update options, make sure that “Restart this
device as soon as possible when restart is required to install an
update” is toggled off. This setting prevents immediate
restarts, giving you more control over when updates are applied.
By adjusting this setting, you can further customize your update and
restart preferences, ensuring they align precisely with your server’s
operational requirements.
Managing automatic restarts after Windows updates is crucial for
system security and productivity. This guide equips you to balance
security needs with minimizing disruptions, ensuring your Windows Server
operates smoothly. If you have any questions, contact us by submitting a
ticket. Our support agents will be happy to guide you.