How to Start or Stop Windows Automatic Maintenance

This article explains how to manually start or stop Windows Automatic Maintenance (WAM) in Windows 11.

Windows Automatic Maintenance (WAM) is a feature that runs background tasks all at once on a schedule. It usually runs at 2 AM by default.

The WAM tasks include keeping Windows and your apps up-to-date, checking security, and scanning for malware.

Windows lets you change WAM schedules if 2 AM doesn’t work for you and lists all available device tasks. You can also manually start and stop Windows Automatic Maintenance anytime you want.

Start or stop Windows Automatic Maintenance

You can manually start or stop WAM anytime. You don’t have to wait for the default scheduled time.

Here’s how to do it:

1. First, open the Control Panel app.
2. Then go to Control Panel > System and Security > Security and Maintenance > Automatic Maintenance.
3. On the Maintenance settings page, click the Start maintenance link to start WAM manually. You will see this link if Windows Automatic Maintenance isn’t running.

If WAM is already running, you will see the Stop maintenance link instead. Click it to stop Windows Automatic Maintenance.

When you’re done, close the Control Panel app.

Manually start or stop WAM using Windows Terminal

Another way to start or stop Windows Automatic Maintenance is to use PowerShell or Command Prompt.

Here’s how:

1. First, open the Windows Terminal app. [Admin privileges required]
2. When Terminal opens, run one of the commands below.

To start Windows Automatic Maintenance:

MSchedExe.exe Start

To stop Windows Automatic Maintenance:

MSchedExe.exe Stop

That’s it! Your command will run.

Summary

Windows Automatic Maintenance (WAM) in Windows 11 runs background tasks at a scheduled time, usually 2 AM by default.

Why use this? WAM keeps Windows and your apps updated, checks security, and scans for malware automatically so you don’t have to.

What happens when done? Your system stays secure and up-to-date without you having to manually run these tasks.

You have two ways to control WAM:

• Method 1 (Control Panel): Navigate to Control Panel > System and Security > Security and Maintenance > Automatic Maintenance. Click Start maintenance or Stop maintenance as needed.
• Method 2 (Windows Terminal): Open Windows Terminal with admin privileges and run MSchedExe.exe Start or MSchedExe.exe Stop.

Both methods let you manage Windows Automatic Maintenance whenever you want, not just at the scheduled time.