Windows 10 Creators Update: No automatic restarts after updates anymore
Microsoft just announced a major change in regards to how updates are delivered once the Windows 10 Creators Update is installed on a machine.
The update to Windows Update prompts users, giving them options to schedule the update for a specific date and time, or to postpone the update for three days straight.
The main idea behind the new options is to avoid situations where Windows Update restarts a PC automatically.
Automatic updates are convenient, but the Internet is filled with user complaints that Windows Update restarted the PC at the least convenient time, for instance shortly before a three day long rendering sequence completed, during a video game, or while holding a presentation.
Some users say that they don't even see the restart prompts to postpone or block them, while others were afk for minutes only to find out that the operating system restarted the machine automatically during that time.
Windows 10 Creators Update: automatic restarts are a thing of the past
Windows 10 supports Active Hours already that prevent the installation of updates during that period of the day unless initiated by the user.
The new feature adds new options to that. Windows displays an update prompt when updates are discovered that offers three options to you:
- Restart the PC right away and complete the installation of the update.
- Pick a time to schedule the installation and restart of the PC. This opens a schedule screen that you may use to pick a day and time for the installation of the update.
- Snooze to postpone the installation of the update for three days.
A couple of things are unclear right now as Microsoft did not reveal them. First, whether the prompt will disappear automatically if no option is selected, and whether the machine is rebooted in that case.
Second, if there is a limit for scheduling the update to be applied to the system in the future. It seems likely that there is one, but it is unclear whether it is one day, one week, or even longer than that.
All in all though this is quite the good change from a usability point of view as it -- likely -- does away with the automatic restart after updates are downloaded situation.
Another feature that is part of the Windows 10 Creators Update is the ability to pause updates on the system for up to 35 days.
Now You: What is your take on the Windows Update change?
We need your help
Advertising revenue is falling fast across the Internet, and independently-run sites like Ghacks are hit hardest by it. The advertising model in its current form is coming to an end, and we have to find other ways to continue operating this site.
We are committed to keeping our content free and independent, which means no paywalls, no sponsored posts, no annoying ad formats (video ads) or subscription fees.
If you like our content, and would like to help, please consider making a contribution:
How we want this to work may be completely different from how it will actually work. I’m skeptical but hopeful.
It truly irks me that MIcrosoft would actually implement how it works now – automatically reboot, with apps open, possibly working on something, possibly with unsaved work. Even when actively in use! I would accept the automatic reboot only after a month of daily reminders.
Microsoft should use a little AI to figure out the best times to remind me, based on my usage patterns.
I’ll give you a good example where the reboots we’re a PITA is simple try rendering something with Blender for example on a low grade PC 12h later still generating and MS and the S stands for So Happy It’s Thursday… reboots and you have to restart from scratch.. at least if it would give you a pop-up to save without force shutdown would of been intelligent.. but hey we’re talking about Microsoft staff here… where dollar value is higher than IQ points.
Only for Pro?
Windows 7/8.1 like updates of small size and selectably downloadable and installable or no deal. Until then, gtfo Microsoft.
Windows updates usually are small
It’s when you download the operating system again, since these upgrades are just 2gb windows images.
That should change after this next one, since the update system has been started to be improved
This, exactly.
I want to know the size and the content before downloading.
I love how Microsoft say they’re providing users with more choice, like giving back a little after taking it all is a good thing.
Still waiting for manual updates to be put back….. until them Microsoft can go fuck themselves.
Yep, it’s beginning to look like a marketing ploy. Create something that works, update it so that it doesn’t work anymore, then correct the problem by going back to the original system so that it actually looks like progress.