Windows Update

Take control of Windows Update behavior. Winhance lets you configure update policies, control automatic restarts, manage delivery optimization, and fine-tune how updates are installed on your system.

Security Warning

Disabling or delaying Windows updates can leave your system vulnerable to security threats. The recommended option is "Security Updates Only" which provides essential security patches while deferring feature updates.

Registry Details

Each setting below includes expandable registry details for power users. Click "Registry Details" to see the exact registry keys and values that are modified.

Update Policy

Master control for Windows Update behavior.

Windows Update Policy updates-policy-mode

Control how Windows updates are installed on your system. Choose from four modes based on your needs and risk tolerance.

Available Options:

Normal (Windows Default) - Automatic updates enabled with standard Windows behavior
Security Updates Only (Recommended) - Only install critical security updates, defer feature updates by 1 year
Paused for a long time - Pause all updates until 2051; manually unpause in Windows Settings when needed
Disabled (NOT Recommended) - Completely disable Windows Update services and block all updates

Registry Details

This setting modifies multiple registry values across HKCU and HKLM:

Path	`HKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU`
Values	`NoAutoUpdate`, `AUOptions`, `NoAUShutdownOption`, `AlwaysAutoRebootAtScheduledTime`, `AutoInstallMinorUpdates`, `UseWUServer`

Path	`HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU`
Values	`NoAutoUpdate`, `AUOptions`, `NoAUShutdownOption`, `AlwaysAutoRebootAtScheduledTime`, `AutoInstallMinorUpdates`, `UseWUServer`

Path HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings

Values BranchReadinessLevel, DeferFeatureUpdates, DeferFeatureUpdatesPeriodInDays, DeferQualityUpdates, DeferQualityUpdatesPeriodInDays, PauseFeatureUpdatesStartTime, PauseFeatureUpdatesEndTime, PauseQualityUpdatesStartTime, PauseQualityUpdatesEndTime, PauseUpdatesStartTime, PauseUpdatesExpiryTime, PausedQualityDate, PausedFeatureDate, FlightSettingsMaxPauseDays, PausedFeatureStatus, PausedQualityStatus

Option Value Mappings:

Normal	All values deleted (Windows default behavior)
Security Only	`AUOptions=2`, `BranchReadinessLevel=20`, `DeferFeatureUpdates=1`, `DeferFeatureUpdatesPeriodInDays=365`, `DeferQualityUpdates=1`, `DeferQualityUpdatesPeriodInDays=7`
Paused	`NoAutoUpdate=1`, `AUOptions=1`, pause dates set to 2025-2051, `FlightSettingsMaxPauseDays=10023`
Disabled	`NoAutoUpdate=1`, `AUOptions=1`, `UseWUServer=0`

Delivery & Store

Control how updates are downloaded and shared.

Delivery Optimization updates-delivery-optimization

Share downloaded updates with other PCs on your network or the internet to reduce bandwidth usage.

Available Options:

Windows Default - Use default Windows delivery optimization settings
Devices on LAN Only - Share updates only with devices on your local network
Devices on LAN and Internet - Share updates with local devices and over the internet
Disabled - Don't share or receive updates from other devices

Registry Details

Path	`HKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeliveryOptimization`
Value	`DODownloadMode`
Type	DWORD
Options	null = Windows Default 1 = LAN Only 3 = LAN and Internet 99 = Disabled
Recommended	99 (Disabled)
Default	Key absent

Path	`HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeliveryOptimization`
Value	`DODownloadMode`
Type	DWORD

Auto Update Microsoft Store Apps updates-store-auto-download

Automatically download and install updates for apps from the Microsoft Store.

Registry Details

Path	`HKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsStore`
Value	`AutoDownload`
Type	DWORD
Enabled	4
Disabled	2
Default	2 (Absence = Enabled)

Path	`HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsStore`
Value	`AutoDownload`
Type	DWORD
Enabled	4
Disabled	2
Default	2 (Absence = Enabled)

Update Behavior

Fine-tune how updates are installed and when restarts occur.

Get the latest updates as soon as they're available updates-latest-updates

Be among the first to get the latest non-security updates, fixes, and improvements as they roll out.

Registry Details

Path	`HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings`
Value	`IsContinuousInnovationOptedIn`
Type	DWORD
Enabled	1
Disabled	0
Default	Key absent (Absence = Enabled)

Receive updates for other Microsoft products updates-other-products

Get Microsoft Office and other updates together with Windows updates.

Registry Details

Path	`HKLM\Software\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings`
Value	`AllowMUUpdateService`
Type	DWORD
Enabled	1
Disabled	0
Default	0

Get me up to date updates-restart-asap

Restart as soon as possible (even during active hours) to finish updating.

Registry Details

Path	`HKLM\Software\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings`
Value	`IsExpedited`
Type	DWORD
Enabled	1
Disabled	0
Default	0

Prevent Automatic Restarts updates-restart-options

Prevents automatic restarts after installing updates when users are logged on.

Registry Details

Path	`HKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU`
Value	`NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers`
Type	DWORD
Enabled (no auto restart)	1
Disabled (allow auto restart)	0
Default	0

Path	`HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU`
Value	`NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers`
Type	DWORD
Enabled (no auto restart)	1
Disabled (allow auto restart)	0
Default	0

Update Notifications updates-notification-level

Show or hide notifications about available updates and update progress.

Registry Details

Path	`HKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate`
Value	`SetUpdateNotificationLevel`
Type	DWORD
Enabled (show notifications)	2
Disabled (hide notifications)	1
Default	2

Path	`HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate`
Value	`SetUpdateNotificationLevel`
Type	DWORD
Enabled (show notifications)	2
Disabled (hide notifications)	1
Default	2

Notify me when a restart is required to finish updating updates-restart-notification

Show notification when your device requires a restart to finish updating.

Registry Details

Path	`HKLM\Software\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings`
Value	`RestartNotificationsAllowed2`
Type	DWORD
Enabled	1
Disabled	0
Default	0

Download updates over metered connections updates-metered-connection

Allow Windows to download updates when using mobile hotspots or data-limited connections.

Registry Details

Path	`HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings`
Value	`AllowAutoWindowsUpdateDownloadOverMeteredNetwork`
Type	DWORD
Enabled	1
Disabled	0
Default	0

Update Content

Control what types of content are included in updates.

Do Not Include Drivers with Updates updates-driver-controls

Prevent Windows from automatically downloading and installing hardware driver updates. Useful if you prefer to manage drivers manually or through manufacturer tools.

Registry Details

Path	`HKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate`
Value	`ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate`
Type	DWORD
Enabled (exclude drivers)	1
Disabled (include drivers)	0
Default	0

Path	`HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate`
Value	`ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate`
Type	DWORD
Enabled (exclude drivers)	1
Disabled (include drivers)	0
Default	0