Automatically Adjust Active Hours In Windows 10

In this guide, learn how to automatically adjust active hours in Windows 10 V1903 or later using Settings app or via registry.

Kapil Arya
11x Microsoft MVP · Admin
2 min read
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We all know that a reboot is always required to finish installation of update(s). But if Windows automatically reboot while you’re working on it, your session will be lost and this doesn’t create a great experience. Hence to avoid this, Microsoft introduced active hours feature in Windows 10 Version 1607. We’ve already shared you following guide to configure the feature:

How To Configure Active Hours Setting In Windows 10

With Windows 10 Version 1903 or later, you can allow your Windows 10 automatically adjust active hours based on your computer usage. Here’s how:

Automatically Adjust Active Hours In Windows 10

Method 1 – Via Settings App

1. Right click Start Button or press W8K + X keys and select Settings.

2. In the Settings app, navigate to Update & Security > Windows Update.

3. In the right pane of Windows Update, click on Change active hours link.

Automatically Adjust Active Hours In Windows 10

4. Under Change active hours, turn On the Automatically adjust active hours for me based on my daily usage option. This options is turned off, by default.

Automatically Adjust Active Hours In Windows 10

5. Close Settings app.

Method 2 – Via Registry

Registry Disclaimer: The further steps will involve registry manipulation. Making mistakes while manipulating registry could affect your system adversely. So be careful while editing registry entries and create a System Restore point first.

1. Press W8K + R and put regedit in Run dialog box to open Registry Editor (if you’re not familiar with Registry Editor, then click here). Click OK.

2. In left pane of Registry Editor window, navigate to following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings

3. In the right pane of Settings registry key, look out for registry DWORD (REG_DWORD) named SmartActiveHoursState and double click on it to modify its Value data.

Automatically Adjust Active Hours In Windows 10

4. Finally, set the Value data to 1 to automatically adjust active hours in Windows 10. Close Registry Editor and reboot to make changes effective.

For IT Pros: If you want deploy this registry setting to multiple machines in your organization using Group Policy, refer this guide.

That’s it!

Related: Stop Windows 10 Automatic Restart After Update.

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Kapil Arya
11x Microsoft MVP · Admin

Kapil holds Microsoft MVP title in Windows IT Pro expertise, 11-times in a row (2014-2025). He is 8-times Windows Insider MVP as well, and author of 'Windows Group Policy Troubleshooting' book. In 2015, Microsoft India accomplished him as 'Windows 10 Champion'. Being passionate Windows blogger, he loves to help others on fixing their system issues. Kapil has worked with official Microsoft Community Engagement Team (CET) on several community projects. You can subscribe him for news/updates and fixes for Windows.

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