Let Windows 10 Decide When to Automatically Update Your PC
Microsoft’s big update for Windows 10 released in May 2019 brought a lot of new features – some big, some small, some tiny. I’ve already covered some of my favorites (“ the coolest” as I put it), but I’ll go over the rest of the update and highlight other interesting settings that mighty Lifehacker readers might want to know about.
The first feature on my list is quick and easy, but incredibly useful if you’ve ever been prompted to install an update (or restart your computer to install an update) at a time when it wouldn’t be ideal – when you’re working, playing a game, or otherwise use your system for anything other than a ten minute update process.
If you go to the Settings app and open the Update & Security section, you’ll see a small option called Change Activity Hours. Click on it and you will be able to tell Windows 10 when you normally work and your operating system will not automatically restart your computer at this time. (If you come back from a meeting or lunch break and find that the automatic restart “helped” you, I sympathize with you.)
Now, with the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, you can check when you are most likely using your PC. According to his analysis, he will not trigger automatic updates when he thinks you are working hardest, or at least using your system the most.
Microsoft hasn’t specified what your operating system considers “using your device,” and the Change Active Hours window only indicates that it will be better able to determine your schedule the more you use your computer. If you maintain irregular work hours on your system – or across multiple systems – this saves you the hassle of setting your activity hours yourself.