This is mostly for the diehard Windows 7 fans who often mention auto
reboots after running Windows Update as a huge problem with Windows
10. Those of you who use and trust the settings in Windows Update
probably don't need this info. It is nice to have Windows ask you to
download updates instead of updates happening automagically.


Permanently stop WU Auto Restarts

Copy paste in Run:

C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\Microsoft\Windows\Update Orchestrator

This will take you to a folder with a few files inside. Rename the
file called Reboot to Reboot.bak
Note: You may have to take ownership of the file to do this.

Next make a new folder where the Reboot.bak file resides. Name this
folder Reboot. Close everything and the computer is now set to 'never'
reboot automatically after Windows Updates. Reverse this and the
computer goes back to stock auto reboots after updates.

Scheduled reboots will not work either. You have to click Reboot
manually or the computer will 'never' reboot.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change Windows Update to ASK you to download and install updates:

No more automagic updates without you knowing. This doesn't work in
Win 10 Home, only Win 10 Pro and above benefit from this setting.

Do the Reboot steps first or the .reg file won't work.

Copy/Paste the following text into notepad and save it as - Notify for
download.reg, then double click the .reg file to merge it into the
registry.

______

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Win dows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
"AUOptions"=dword:00000002
_____


This .reg file changes the keys' DWord value to 2. This is the value
that forces Windows 10 to ASK you to download the updates. This
feature was available in the earliest versions of Win 10 but soon
disappeared as Microsofts choice was to hide this registry key. The
key only becomes visible and usable AFTER you fix the auto reboot. If
you have not done the reboot fix the key doesn't show up in the
registry and the .reg file does not work.

The above changes the Windows Update message to:

"We'll ask you to download updates, except when updates are required
to keep Windows running smoothly. In that case we will automatically
download updates"

After you apply the .reg file you have to click 'Check for Updates'
for the above message to appear.
--
JT