MSTechpages
  • Home
  • Knowledge Base
  • Reviews
  • Articles
  • About
Windows 7

Disable Option To Install Updates on Shutdown

Oct 12, 2010·Dustin

Estimated Reading Time: 1 min

Windows updates are a necessity and need to be done to keep a stable a secure system. But, there are times when you want to shut your computer down quickly, not having to “Install Updates and then shut down computer”. There are times when you don’t care, and do want to update. So, why doesn’t Windows give you the choice? Well, follow these steps and it will finally give you the choice.

1. Open regedit (Start > type regedit and press enter).

2. Browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsUpdateAU. If it doesn’t exist, you can right click and create a new key (I had to create both the WindowsUpdate and the AU key).

3. Create a new DWORD (32-Bit), with the name NoAUAsDefaultShutdownOption and modify its value to “1“.

4. Now you will have the regular Shutdown button as well as the Install Updates and Shut Down button. Some users like to have this control over their PC, and this gives it to you.

Related Products on Amazon
USB to SATA AdapterShop on Amazon
DDR3 RAMShop on Amazon
External HDDShop on Amazon
USB Flash DriveShop on Amazon

MSTechPages is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

#Shutdown
Written by
Dustin · Founder and Head Editor, News Poster
Sr. Cybersecurity Engineer - Microsoft MVP Windows Experience (2014-2015)

Dustin is the founder and head editor of MSTechpages. He started the site to help other users of Windows. He has been very active with helping others throughout the years, from USENET to Microsoft Answers to the latest Microsoft Communities as well as other internet forums such as Reddit. He is a Sr. System Administrator, holds several industry certifications and degrees.

View all 1499 articles by Dustin →

Related Articles

Windows Devices and Printers window listing 5 devices and 6 printers, including monitors, keyboards, mice, and Microsoft XPS Document Writer Windows 7

How to Fix a Network Printer Showing Offline

Jun 19, 2019 · Dustin
Windows 7

Windows Update Troubleshooter Tool

Mar 15, 2017 · Dustin
Windows 7

Uninstall Programs in Safemode

Oct 3, 2016 · Dustin

Windows Insider Builds

Beta
26220.9606
Beta (26H1)
28020.3172
Experimental
26340.9616
Experimental (26H1)
28120.3181
Experimental (Future)
29683.1000
Recent Knowledge Base Articles
  • Disable Touch Screen in Windows
  • Add “End Task” To Right Click Application on Taskbar
  • Offline install of .Net Framework 3.5 using DISM
  • Disable Autohide Scrollbars
  • Install Active Directory RSAT in Windows 10 1809 or later
  • Disable File Grouping in File Explorer
  • Forget Wireless Networks
  • Show Hidden Files & Folders
  • Enable Night Light Mode
  • How to Fix a Network Printer Showing Offline
MSTechpages

Covering Microsoft since the dial-up days, using Windows since 2.0.

Windows

  • Windows 11
  • Windows Insider
  • Canary Channel
  • Cumulative Updates

Resources

  • Knowledge Base
  • Articles
  • Reviews

Company

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise

© 2026 MSTechpages. All rights reserved.

Privacy