Schedule Windows 10 Update Download Time

Yesterday, I showed you how to turn off Windows Update Delivery Optimization (WUDO) in case you were on a metered connection.

• Windows 10 Update Download Time
• Change Windows 10 Update Schedule
• Schedule Microsoft Updates Windows 10

Here's how to schedule Windows 10 updates. Choose which updates to download in Windows 10, but you do have a say about when they're installed. Screen above there’s already an option to. That button runs the Windows 10 Update Assistant, which downloads the installation files in the background and then allows you to schedule the upgrade. Note that on some PCs with minimal resources.

Today, I am going to show you how to schedule the automatic download and installation of Windows Updates based on your timetable. Indeed, there are three options, including just being notified of an update without download or installation. The trick is using a hidden tool called Local Group Policy Editor.

Note, this only works on Windows 10 Pro releases and not for Home licenses. Sorry! Need to upgrade? Read our how to upgrade to Pro tutorial!

Prelude

1. May 5, 2017 - Windows 10, updates, Windows Update, restart, install, schedule. Active hours and schedule a custom restart time for installing updates.
2. Schedule Update Downloads Update Downloads are killing my streaming TV performance. So you could amend its parameters so the updates are done at a time suitable for you. Read more: Microsoft reverses course, restores downloads of Windows 10 November Update| ZDNet See also: First Major Update for Windows 10 Available Today - Windows 10.
3. 4 ways to open Task Scheduler on Windows 10: Way 1: Open it in the Start Menu. Click the lower-left Start button, enter schedule in the empty box and select Schedule tasks from the results. Way 2: Turn on Task Scheduler via Search. Tap the Search button on the taskbar, type schedule in the blank box and choose Schedule tasks. Way 3: Open it in the Control Panel.

Before we get started let me break down what this tool enables. There are three very specific scenarios that differ from the default automatic download and installation of Windows Updates. These options are good for those with unique circumstances. For instance, 'jamearl' in comments explained why he wanted scheduled updates:

'…what I really need is the ability to set a time of day (0200-0500 am) as time for the system to update. During this time, I have unlimited data with much higher speeds. As I live in a rural area and limited to satellite internet, this is the only option I currently have. Otherwise, I would use LTE with a higher data plan if I could be a solid LTE signal.'

Although a rare situation, there are likely other people with similar conditions. If you fall into your camp, here are the three options you can choose from when using the Local Group Policy Editor. They are starting at number 2 because the default method on all Windows 10 PCs is technically number 1.

Local Group Policy Editor Options

2. Notify before downloading and installing any updates.

'When Windows finds updates that apply to this computer, users will be notified that updates are ready to be downloaded. After going to Windows Update, users can download and install any available updates.'

'Windows finds updates that apply to the computer and downloads them in the background (the user is not notified or interrupted during this process). When the downloads are complete, users will be notified that they are ready to install. After going to Windows Update, users can install them.'

'Specify the schedule using the options in the Group Policy Setting. If no schedule is specified, the default schedule for all installations will be every day at 3:00 AM. If any updates require a restart to complete the installation, Windows will restart the computer automatically. (If a user is signed into the computer when Windows is ready to restart, the user will be notified and given the option to delay the restart.)'

The number 2 option – notify before downloading and installing updates – is ideal for those on a metered connection or who just do not trust Windows Update, for whatever intention. This option could also solve the user above's problem who is on a satellite connection.

Number 4 though is the most interesting as this will download the updates but only install them on a specific schedule. In other words, the PC will grab the updates but won't install them until the time specified. This option is ideal for admins, obviously, who want to have updates installed in off-hours when employees are not using the computers. Indeed, there is a 5th option too that cedes all power to a local admin.

Of course, the real power here is that you can think of your unique situation where these options may be useful. Feel free to share your circumstances in comments for others.

Note, we have not actually tested these options ourselves due to the difficulty in waiting for an update. However, we see no reason this tool no longer works (they carry-overs from previous Windows releases are not in any way new ).

Let's go!

How to schedule Windows Updates

1. Launch Local Group Policy Editor

Type (or copy/paste) gpedit.msc into the Cortana/search bar or use Win + R and paste in gpedit.msc into the Run entry box

Windows 10 Update Download Time

2. Navigate

Using the Local Group Policy Editor navigate to Computer ConfigurationAdministrative TemplatesWindows ComponentsWindows Update

3. Double-Click

Double-Click Configure Automatic Updates to open the configuration window

4. Choose your destiny

The console is quite clear on what are your choices. These were detailed above in the prelude section. First you need to choose Enabled in the upper left corner as it is Not Configured by default. Once Enabled the Options section becomes active. You can now choose which policy you want to enable.

5. Date Time

If you are using option #4, you can also select the day and exact time you want the updates installed. Note that the time and day options are only applicable to option #4 as the other options are just notifications for installations. Once completed you can hit Apply to make sure the setting takes and then hit OK to exit the window.

That's it!

As mentioned earlier, I have not personally tried these scenarios so hopefully it works out for you. Obviously the majority of users on a dedicated connection do not need these alternatives, but they are good to know for rare situations like the one mentioned earlier.

Let us know in comments how you would use these and if they work for you!

Big thanks to Daniel Gilbert M. for the tip!

More Resources

Remember that we have many other articles on Windows 10, if you need help you always check these other resources:

It's important to keep your Windows 10 PC updated. You get security fixes, new features, small improvement tweaks, and more. Unfortunately, updating Windows 10 can often take years. Or so it might feel when you're watching an update sit still, you pacing around knowing that you have stuff to do on your PC. This isn't exactly a rare problem, and you'll almost always find a thread about it in our forum and in countless others around the web. So why exactly is it taking so long, and what can you do about it?

Why do Windows 10 updates take so long?

Windows 10 is a big, complicated OS that is constantly being tweaked. While some updates are small and you might not even notice them installing, others are massive and take a good chunk of time to install. The amount of time it takes can be affected by multiple factors.

If you're working with a low-speed internet connection, downloading a gigabyte or two — especially over a wireless connection — can take hours alone. Since you'll often be thrown into an update without any idea of what it consists of, watching the blue screen for hours might make you think something's gone terribly wrong. Likewise, if Microsoft's servers are getting slammed with people all trying to download at the same time, speed can be further affected.

Change Windows 10 Update Schedule

So, you're enjoying fiber internet and your update is still taking forever. Does your PC have an old hard-disk drive (HDD) crammed almost to bursting with data? When was the last time you de-fragmented that bad boy? Some updates need to cover a lot of ground, and a slow drive with files everywhere won't help. Backing up your data and reformatting is never a bad idea, but the least you can do is give that old drive some new life with a defrag.

Windows Update components might be broken

A slow internet connection or a cluttered hard drive are not the only potential problems to do with Windows Update. When pitchforks and torches are grabbed and walked over to Microsoft's own community support forum, a moderator will usually direct the angered crowd to the Windows Update Troubleshooter tool.

Because Windows Update is its own little program, components within can break and throw the entire process off of its natural course. Running this tool might be able to fix those broken components, resulting in a faster update the next time around.

If you run this tool and find that it makes no difference, you can always run through Microsoft's step-by-step Windows Update support page. You answer a bunch of questions and you receive potential fixes along the way.

Software might be conflicting with Windows Update

Third-party applications, services, and drivers that start when Windows starts can cause software conflicts when trying to update Windows. If you're using a fast, wired internet connection and have a speedy solid-state drive (SSD) in your PC and are still having an issue with an update taking a considerable amount of time, you can try performing a clean boot of Windows 10 before attempting to update.

1. Right-click the Start button.

2. Click Search.

3. Type msconfig and hit Enter on your keyboard.

4. Click Services.

5. Click the checkbox next to Hide all Microsoft services.

6. Click Disable all.

7. Click Startup.

8. Click Open Task Manager.

9. Click any startup program you suspect might be interfering.

10. Click Disable. Repeat steps 9 and 10 for all startup programs.

11. Click the X to close Task Manager.
12. Click OK in the System Configuration window.

13. Restart your PC.

Once your PC restarts, try installing the Windows 10 update again. To enable startup items again, follow the same steps but click Enable all in step 6 and Enable in step 10.

Set a scheduled update time

Schedule Microsoft Updates Windows 10

An update to Windows can happen at the worst time, but you can disable auto updates and even set a schedule to have your PC do its thing overnight rather than during an important meeting.

More resources

Have a look at these other articles for more help with Windows Update.

Updated July 10, 2018: I've refreshed this guide to ensure you're still getting the best advice when it comes to troubleshooting a slow Windows 10 update.

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