How to Turn On or Off Automatically Adjust Active Hours in Windows 11
Automatically adjust active hours in Windows 11 is a built-in feature that stops your PC from restarting while you work. Instead of making you guess your schedule, Windows 11 learns your daily habits over a 30-day period and sets your active times on its own.
You can turn this feature on or off inside the Windows Update settings menu with just a few clicks. Keeping this setting turned on prevents sudden updates from interrupting your important tasks.
Go to Settings Windows Update Advanced options. Find “Active hours” and use the dropdown to select “On” to automatically adjust them, or “Off” to set them manually.
How to Turn On or Off Automatically Adjust Active Hours Using Settings
Proceed through the configuration menu using these exact directions:
- Open Windows Settings : Click the Start menu button (the Windows icon on the bottom-left corner), then click Settings.
Or, press Windows key + I on your keyboard to open Settings quickly. - In the Settings window, click Windows Update on the left side menu.
- On the right side, click Advanced options.
- Find the section called Active hours and click it to open.
- Look for the option that says Automatically adjust active hours for this device based on activity.
Use the dropdown menu to select On if you want Windows to automatically set your active hours, or Off if you want to set them yourself.
Closing the configuration window saves the changes automatically. Background update services immediately apply the new scheduling rules.
How to Turn On or Off Automatically Adjust Active Hours Using Registry Editor (Advanced)
Advanced users comfortable with system modifications can alter this behavior via the Registry Editor (a hierarchical database storing low-level operating system settings).
- Open the Registry Editor:
- Press Windows key + R to open the Run box.
- Type
regeditand press Enter. - If a User Account Control window pops up, click Yes to allow.
- Navigate to this key path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Update\UX\Settings - If the Settings folder is missing inside UX, right-click UX, choose New Key, and name it Settings.
- Now, inside the Settings folder, right-click on the right side and choose New DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name the new DWORD value: SmartActiveHoursState
- Double-click SmartActiveHoursState and set the Base to Decimal.
Then, enter the value:- 1 to turn On Automatically Adjust Active Hours
- 0 to turn Off Automatically Adjust Active Hours
- Click OK to save.
- Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer for the change to take effect.
Summary
- Automatically Adjust Active Hours helps Windows choose when to avoid restarting your PC during times you use it most.
- You can turn this feature on or off in Windows Settings or by using the Registry Editor if you prefer.
- Using this feature helps keep your computer updated without interrupting your work.
- Follow the simple steps above to control how Windows handles your update restarts.
Reviewing related documentation expands maintenance knowledge:
How to Manually Download Updates for Windows 11.
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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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