How to Enable or Disable Windows 11 Update Restart Notifications
You can enable or disable notifications-on-or-off-in-the-settings-app-on-windows-11/" class="sal-link" rel="noopener" target="_blank" data-sal-id="41910">Windows 11 update restart notifications to control when you’re prompted to restart your PC after installing updates.
These notifications are pop-up messages or Action Center alerts that remind you to restart your computer to complete essential updates, often appearing before Windows automatically restarts your PC.
For example, Windows 11 might automatically schedule a restart if you don’t respond to a notification within a certain timeframe to ensure security patches are applied promptly.
Whether you find these reminders helpful or intrusive, you have the power to manage them.
This guide shows you two straightforward methods to adjust these restart notification settings on your Windows 11 machine.
How to Turn On or Off Restart Notifications Using Windows Settings
This is the easiest way to manage restart notifications. Follow these simple steps:
- Open the Windows Settings app. You can do this by clicking the Start button and selecting the gear icon, or by pressing the Windows key + I.
- On the left side, click Windows Update.
- On the right side, click the Advanced options tile to open more settings.
- Find the option called Notify me when a restart is required to finish updating.
- Toggle the switch to On if you want to get notifications, or Off if you want to stop them.
- When done, simply close the Settings window.


What happens when you do this? Windows will either start sending you restart notifications or stop sending them, depending on which option you chose. You’ll see the change take effect the next time Windows installs an update.
How to Turn On or Off Restart Notifications Using the Registry Editor (For Advanced Users)
If you feel comfortable making changes inside Windows, you can use the Registry Editor to control restart notifications. However, be careful! Making wrong changes can cause problems. Always back up your registry before you start.
Here’s how:
- ⚠️ Admin privileges required — Open the Windows Registry Editor by typing
regeditin the search box and pressing Enter. - Navigate to this folder path:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Update\UX\Settings - Look for an entry named
RestartNotificationsAllowed2on the right side. - If it exists, double-click it and:
- Set the value to
1to enable restart notifications. - Set the value to
0to disable them.
- Set the value to
- If it doesn’t exist:
- Right-click in the blank area and choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name it
RestartNotificationsAllowed2. - Double-click it and set the value to
1or0as above.
- Close the Registry Editor.
- Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Warning: Editing your registry can be risky. Please make sure to back up your system or create a restore point before you proceed.
Choose a Time to Restart After Updates
Windows 11 also lets you pick a convenient time to restart your computer after updates. This way, you won’t be interrupted unexpectedly.

Summary
- You can easily turn Windows Update restart notifications on or off using the Settings app.
- Advanced users can also manage these notifications by editing the Windows Registry.
- Always be careful when changing registry settings and back up your system first.
- Restart your computer after making changes to make sure they take effect.
- By managing these notifications, you can control when and how your PC restarts after updates.
Now you know how to control Windows 11 update restart notifications so they work the way you want!
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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