Windows Updates Rebooting at Inconvenient Time Even Though Business Hours Have Been Set

The user logs in and is prompted that Windows is going to reboot in a certain amount of time. This is despite having business hours set to install updates outside of working hours. Windows will not be able to install updates requiring a reboot outside business hours if the user is logged in and at the lock screen during that time frame, so once the user logs in to unlock the screen it notifies the user that it has scheduled a reboot. This will only occur if it is past the deadline to install. 

Solution

• In order to prevent this, users should save their work and log-off, or even better they should reboot, then leave the computer powered on overnight on the last two Thursdays of the month (when updates are generally made available) to allow for updates to install and the machine to reboot for installation as necessary.
• WARNING: Leaving it powered on overnight is not enough, the user also needs to be logged off. A locked screen will also prevent reboot.

• When users receive a notice that they have updates pending, at their earliest convenience they should open Software Center and go to Updates in the left navigation pane. Then click Install All in the upper right and when prompted reboot.

  INFO: Users are also allowed to use Microsoft Update to update directly from Microsoft, if they want to make sure they are up to date and will have the longest time before they will be required to reboot again (~ a month)

   

Environment

• Windows 10