How to configure automatic updates by using Group Policy or registry settings

✅ Method 1: Configure via Group Policy

1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor.

2. Navigate to:

   Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Windows Update → Manage updates offered from Windows Update
   

3. Double-click Configure Automatic Updates.

4. Select Enabled, then choose one of the following options from the dropdown:

   • 2 - Notify for download and auto install

   • 3 - Auto download and notify for install

   • 4 - Auto download and schedule the install

   • 5 - Allow local admin to choose setting

   • 7 - Notify for install only

5. (Optional) Set scheduled install day and time if using option 4.

6. Click Apply, then OK.

7. To apply changes immediately, open Command Prompt and run:

   gpupdate /force
   

🛠️ Method 2: Configure via Registry Editor

⚠️ Warning: Editing the registry can cause system instability if not done correctly. Always back up your registry before making changes.

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

2. Navigate to:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU
   

   If the WindowsUpdate and AU keys don't exist, create them.

3. Create or modify the following DWORD (32-bit) values:

   Value Name	Type	Description
   AUOptions	DWORD	Set the auto-update behavior:
   		- 2 = Notify for download and install
   		- 3 = Auto download and notify to install
   		- 4 = Auto download and schedule install
   		- 5 = Local admin chooses settings
   		- 7 = Notify for install only
   ScheduledInstallDay	DWORD	(If using option 4) 0=Every day, 1-7=Sun-Sat
   ScheduledInstallTime	DWORD	(If using option 4) Hour of install (0-23)

4. Close the registry editor and restart the system (or run gpupdate /force if joined to a domain).

🧪 Example: Auto Download & Schedule Install at 3 AM Every Friday

Group Policy:

• Enable option 4

• Set install day to 5 (Friday)

• Set time to 3 (3 AM)

Registry:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
"AUOptions"=dword:00000004
"ScheduledInstallDay"=dword:00000005
"ScheduledInstallTime"=dword:00000003

🔄 Additional Tips

• Use the Windows Update service (services.msc) to verify it's running.

• For domain environments, configure via Group Policy Management Console (GPMC).

• Restart or run wuauclt /detectnow to trigger updates manually.