How To Stop Windows 7 or Vista from Applying Updates/Patches on Shutdown

One thing I don’t like about Windows 7 or Vista is their habit of changing the Shutdown or Sleep button into an “Install Updates and then Shut Down computer” button when any pending Windows Updates to be installed. I wanted to put an end to this and tried to find out a better permanent solution then my previous solution. I found a small registry hack that can put an end to this problem permanently and reducing our headaches. :)

Follow the steps below carefully:

  • Open the Registry Editor by typing regedit in the Run dialog box. (Goto Start MenuRun, or, press [Windows Key ] + [ R ] to access the Run dialog box.)
  • Now, browse down to the following Registry key or create the key if it doesn’t exist.
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU to apply the hack for all users OR HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU to apply the hack to your user account only.
  • Create a new entry by right-clicking on the right pane and choosing “New DWORD“ and name it NoAUAsDefaultShutdownOption, set its value of 1.
  • Now our normal Shutdown or Sleep button should be back while also providing the Install Updates and Shut Down option, should you want to install the pending Windows Updates at shut down.
  • If you want the default option back, just set the value of NoAUAsDefaultShutdownOption to 0.

Do you have any other solutions to this problem? Well, comment about it, discuss or share the solution with us.

About Mezanul

SK Mezanul Haque is the owner and founder of MyTechGuide.org (popularly known as My Technology Guide). He is passionate about all things tech and knows stuff related to them inside out.

You can follow Mezanul on: Facebook | Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter

7 Responses to How To Stop Windows 7 or Vista from Applying Updates/Patches on Shutdown

  1. Pingback: My Technology Guide

  2. Pingback: SK Mezanul Haque

  3. Pingback: Techs In a Sec

  4. How To Stop #Windows 7 or #Vista from Applying Updates/Patches on #Shutdown http://goo.gl/fb/Dq2d RT @mytechguide

    This comment was originally posted on Twitter

  5. Worked for me, but now there’s _only_ the normal shutdown option: there’s no “install updates and shutdown” option

  6. I have another way if you’re really in a hurry, pull the power cable out of the back of the computer. :D

    Seems to work well enough. :p

  7. Hey, it doesn’t work for me, I followed the instructions but the install update icon still appear beside my shutdown button :( HELP!!

Click on a tab to select how you'd like to leave your comment

Speak Your Mind

*