How to Turn On or Off “Get Me Up to Date” for Windows Update in Windows 11

The “Get me up to date” in Windows 11 forces devices to restart immediately after updates are installed, even during active hours. It is useful for low-risk devices that require faster update turnaround, but it can interrupt users on shared or business systems.

Managing this configuration helps prevent unexpected restarts, maintains consistent restart behavior across devices, and prevents restarts from bypassing active hours. This guide explains how to enable or disable the setting and how to manage it in both personal and managed environments.

📌 Recommended deployment strategies:

Methods to configure “Get me up to date” in Windows 11

Ensure your system meets the requirements before proceeding.

📌 General prerequisites: 

• Windows 11 device
• Administrator rights when using Group Policy, Registry Editor, or PowerShell
• The Windows Update service is enabled and running
• Ability to restart or sign out after applying changes

Method 1: Change “Get me up to date” in Settings

The simplest way to control the “Get me up to date” setting in Windows 11 is through the built-in Settings app. This method is ideal for everyday users who don’t want to deal with advanced configuration, and it does not require administrator privileges.

Steps:

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. In the left pane, select Windows Update.
3. Click Advanced options.
4. Find Get me up to date.
5. Switch the setting:
   • On allows an immediate restart after updates install.
   • Off follows active hours and standard restart scheduling.
6. Test the change by installing an update and observing the restart behavior.

Method 2: Manage via Group Policy

If you’re not a typical everyday user and require centralized management of Windows Update restart behavior, Group Policy provides a structured approach. This method lets advanced users or organizations enforce uniform update rules across multiple devices and apply consistent restart scheduling.

📌 Prerequisites: Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education edition.

Steps:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run Dialog, type gpedit.msc, and click Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage and end user experience.
3. Configure the following policies:

Specify deadline for automatic updates and restarts

Controls how long the device can delay restarts after installing quality or feature updates.

• • Enabled – forces a restart once the defined deadline expires.
  • You can configure:
    • Number of days until restart
    • Grace period
    • Whether users can delay the restart further

This setting effectively replaces legacy restart enforcement policies and determines when restarts become mandatory.

Turn off auto restart for updates during active hours

Prevents forced restarts while the device is within user-defined active hours, even if updates are installed.

Display options for update notifications

Controls whether users see restart and update notifications.

4. Apply the configuration by opening Command Prompt and running:

gpupdate /force

5. Restart the device if the policies do not apply immediately.

Method 3: Edit Registry to configure restart behavior

If you’re using Windows 11 Home and still need advanced control over restart behavior, editing the Registry is your best option. Be cautious when making changes, as incorrect edits can cause system issues. Make sure you use the exact registry key names and values.

Steps:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run Dialog, type regedit, and click Enter to open the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings.
3. Find or create the DWORD: IsExpedited
4. Set the value based on your preferred behavior:
   • 1 = enable expedited restart behavior
   • 0 = disable expedited restart behavior
5. (Optional) For additional restart control, find RestartNotificationsAllowed and set:
   • 1 = show restart notifications
   • 0 = hide notifications
6. Close the Registry Editor and restart the device.
7. Validate the behavior during the next update cycle.

Method 4: Automate with PowerShell

PowerShell gives you another way to script the same registry changes from Method 3. This method works well for IT admins and advanced users who want a fast, repeatable way to configure restart behavior through automation.

Steps:

1. Click Start, type PowerShell, then right-click it and select Run as administrator.
2. Run this command to enable expedited restarts:

3. Run this command to disable expedited restarts:

4. Restart the device to apply changes.

💡 Tip: Combine these commands into a script for bulk deployment or schedule them through Group Policy or Intune for automated compliance.

Method 5: Verify changes

Once you’ve adjusted the “Get me up to date” setting or any restart configuration, confirm that the device behaves as expected by following these steps.

Steps:

1. Press Win + I to open Settings, then go to Windows Update > Update history, and confirm that updates were installed.
2. Observe how the device behaves after installation:
   • An immediate restart means expedited behavior is active.
   • A deferred restart means active hours and normal scheduling rules apply.
3. If forced restarts happen despite your settings, check for enforced Group Policies by running:

4. Review update and restart events in Event Viewer under: Event Viewer > Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > WindowsUpdateClient
5. If expedited restarts are disabled, confirm that the device restarts outside of active hours.

Additional considerations

Here are a few points to keep in mind before finalizing your configuration.

Active hours

When “Get me up to date” is enabled, it can override active hours and trigger a restart as soon as updates require it.

Windows Update for Business policies

Windows Update for Business policies may also override local settings, especially on managed devices.

Critical updates

Some updates, including security fixes, may have mandatory restart windows regardless of user preference.

Shared or kiosk devices

Devices in kiosk or shared environments should generally keep expedited restarts disabled to prevent interruptions during active sessions.

OEM tools and endpoint management solutions

Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) tools and endpoint management platforms may apply their own update rules and override local configuration.

Troubleshooting

Here are common issues you may encounter and how to fix them if your configuration doesn’t work as expected.

Toggle missing in Settings

If the “Get me up to date” toggle is missing, Windows Update policies may be locking the setting. Open Command Prompt and run:

to check whether device-level or user-level policies are restricting it.

Restart still occurs immediately

Group Policy may be enforcing scheduled restarts, deadlines, or forced restart rules that override your configuration. Review the policies in the Group Policy Editor or confirm with your IT admin.

Registry value not applying

Confirm the IsExpedited DWORD exists under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings and restart the device after editing, as Registry changes often require a reboot to take effect.

Setting reverts after reboot

A Mobile Device Management (MDM) or endpoint management tool may be applying its own update policy. Check Intune, SCCM, or any OEM utilities for conflicting settings.

No restarts occurring at all

If updates install but the device does not restart, confirm the Windows Update service is running and updates are applying successfully. Review WindowsUpdateClient logs in Event Viewer for installation or restart failures.

NinjaOne integration

NinjaOne can simplify and scale how you manage Windows Update restart behavior across multiple devices. The platform gives you several ways to apply, enforce, and validate restart settings without touching each endpoint manually.

Managing “Get me up to date” in Windows 11 for reliable restart control

Controlling the “Get me up to date” setting lets administrators decide when Windows should restart after updates install. Use built-in settings, Group Policy, the Registry, or PowerShell to match restart behavior to the needs of each device or environment.

Related topics:

• How to Schedule a Windows 10/11 Update Restart Time
• How to Turn On or Off Show Windows Update Restart Notifications in Windows 10
• How to Enable or Disable the “Check for Windows Updates” Button in Windows 11
• How MSPs Can Align Patch Caching Policies With Device Restart Windows
• Guide to Diagnosing Windows Update Issues Using PowerShell