How can I change the time when Windows (XP and 7) downloads updates? This has nothing to do with Automatic Updates and when to Install the updates. Due to limited bandwidth, I need to control when the dowload process starts. I suspect it resides in a registry setting. In the future I may switch to SUS Server. For now, I just want to control the downloads. Thanks.
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Time windows updates download
- Thread starter MVD100
- Start date
Can you not just choose the option in Windows Updates settings that allows you to be notifies when updates are available but not to download them (until you say so)?
If the above is not what you mean can you perhaps just turn Windows Updates Off or On as required, or can you do the same with the Windows Update service?
In the settings of Windows Updates you should also have a time (default 3.00 am) that you can set to suit when updates are checked for.
Change how Windows installs or notifies you about updates.
Updates: frequently asked questions
If you are set on a Registry fix then this XP one has a good chance of working on Vista or Windows 7.
Manage Automatic Windows Updates (Windows 2000/XP)
If the above is not what you mean can you perhaps just turn Windows Updates Off or On as required, or can you do the same with the Windows Update service?
In the settings of Windows Updates you should also have a time (default 3.00 am) that you can set to suit when updates are checked for.
Change how Windows installs or notifies you about updates.
Updates: frequently asked questions
If you are set on a Registry fix then this XP one has a good chance of working on Vista or Windows 7.
Manage Automatic Windows Updates (Windows 2000/XP)
- Thread starter
- #3
Thanks linney for your response, I am aware of the options and they do not meet my need. I want to install updates automatically, but I do not want the downloads to take place in the background at some unkown time of the day when I am working. It would be great if the time and day I set to install updates was also the time when it would download them, but this is not the case. Do you know what tiggers the download to start?
ChrisHirst
IS-IT--Management
Errmm? Yes that IS what the time setting in Windows Update does.
Use the drop down selector to choose from;
Install updates automatically.
Download updates but let me choose whether to install them.
Check for updates but let me choose whether to install them
Never check for updates.
and you can set the day and time.
HOWEVER!!!!
If your machine is NOT on at that time, it WILL start the downloads/install as soon as possible the next time the machine is turned on
Which is probably what is happening with your machine.
My machines are set to update on a Wednesday early AM and I leave them powered up on Tuesday night and it's done while I'm asleep.
Chris.
Indifference will be the downfall of mankind, but who cares?
Time flies like an arrow, however, fruit flies like a banana.
Webmaster Forum
ChrisHirst:
Unless you have specific knowledge of Automatic Updates that I can't find, I'm going to have to disagree.
Looking at my update history, the first of multiple updates always finishes at 3:00 AM or 3:01 AM, (my "Install new updates" setting is set to "3:00 AM"). There would not be enough time for Windows Update to begin downloading at 3:00 AM, finish downloading all available updates, and then initiate and complete the first update in under 1 minute.
Also from here:
Unless you have specific knowledge of Automatic Updates that I can't find, I'm going to have to disagree.
Looking at my update history, the first of multiple updates always finishes at 3:00 AM or 3:01 AM, (my "Install new updates" setting is set to "3:00 AM"). There would not be enough time for Windows Update to begin downloading at 3:00 AM, finish downloading all available updates, and then initiate and complete the first update in under 1 minute.
Also from here:
ChrisHirst
IS-IT--Management
Mine just behave and does the updates once a week as specified.
It is only the installation that happens at the specified time, the download could be happening at any time as it uses the B.I.T. Service, it should only download updates when the network interface is
If you really want to have download control turn BITs off automatic start and start it when you decide to download updates.
'net stop BITS' to kill the service and 'net start BITS' to start it again.
same with windows update
net stop wuauserv
net start wuauserv
set up command (.cmd) files and call it from a scheduled task.
Chris.
Indifference will be the downfall of mankind, but who cares?
Time flies like an arrow, however, fruit flies like a banana.
Webmaster Forum
It is only the installation that happens at the specified time, the download could be happening at any time as it uses the B.I.T. Service, it should only download updates when the network interface is
If you really want to have download control turn BITs off automatic start and start it when you decide to download updates.
'net stop BITS' to kill the service and 'net start BITS' to start it again.
same with windows update
net stop wuauserv
net start wuauserv
set up command (.cmd) files and call it from a scheduled task.
Chris.
Indifference will be the downfall of mankind, but who cares?
Time flies like an arrow, however, fruit flies like a banana.
Webmaster Forum
- Thread starter
- #7
guitarzan thank you for your response. That is a great example. Therefore, I still believe the actual download of updates is set in the OS and not be the user with the time to install feature.
Again, we are trying to learn about and then control the exact time at which the download process starts (when using the Install updates automatically option) not the update/install.
Again, we are trying to learn about and then control the exact time at which the download process starts (when using the Install updates automatically option) not the update/install.
ChrisHirst
IS-IT--Management
There are more settings to play with in group policies.
Start -> Run... Type in gpedit.msc and press enter
Expand -> Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Update,
Then open -> Configure Automatic Updates.
You can also change the check interval in Automatic Updates detection frequency the default is every hour.
Chris.
Indifference will be the downfall of mankind, but who cares?
Time flies like an arrow, however, fruit flies like a banana.
Webmaster Forum
Start -> Run... Type in gpedit.msc and press enter
Expand -> Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Update,
Then open -> Configure Automatic Updates.
You can also change the check interval in Automatic Updates detection frequency the default is every hour.
Chris.
Indifference will be the downfall of mankind, but who cares?
Time flies like an arrow, however, fruit flies like a banana.
Webmaster Forum
Chris,
None of those local policies helps the OP directly either, but your idea of stopping the BITS / wuauserv services (along with tweaks of the policies you indicated) looks promising
Well, yes... you said pretty much the opposite earlier though ;-)ChrisHirst said:
None of those local policies helps the OP directly either, but your idea of stopping the BITS / wuauserv services (along with tweaks of the policies you indicated) looks promising
ChrisHirst
IS-IT--Management
Yeah, sorry, down to not typing the same thing that I'm thinking, tends to happen a lot these days, maybe the keyboard is getting old (or something like that)
Maybe I should start typing the initial response into notepad and review it an hour or so later.
Chris.
Indifference will be the downfall of mankind, but who cares?
Time flies like an arrow, however, fruit flies like a banana.
Webmaster Forum
goombawaho
MIS
Turn off the Windows Update service while you DON'T want it downloading. Turn it ON when you walk away from the computer.
A pain, but it will certainly stop downloading while you are working.
A pain, but it will certainly stop downloading while you are working.
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