Shut Down Windows - Change "Install Updates and Shut Down" as Default

Shut Down Windows - Change "Install Updates and Shut Down" as Default

How to Change "Install Updates and Shut Down" as Default Choice in Shut Down Windows Dialog​

   Information

This will show you how to manage whether the Install Updates and Shut Down option is allowed to be the default choice in the ALT+F4 Shut Down Windows dialog and Start Menu "Shut Down" power button with alert shield icon for users in Windows 7 when important or critical Windows Updates are available for installation.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

   Note

If you enable this policy setting, the user's last shut down choice (Hibernate, Restart, etc.) setting is the default option in the "Shut Down Windows" dialog box, regardless of whether the 'Install Updates and Shut Down' option is available in the 'What do you want the computer to do?' list. The alert shield on the Shut Down Start Menu power button will no longer display on it, even if important or critical Windows Updates are available for installation.

If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, the 'Install Updates and Shut Down' option will be the default option in the "Shut Down Windows" dialog box and Start Menu power button (alert shield on Shut Down button) when important or critical Windows Updates are available for installation.

   Warning

If you have the Windows Update settings set to Never check for updates, then the "Install Updates and Shut Down" option will not display no matter what this policy is set to.

If you have the "Install Updates and Shut Down" option disabled, then the policy setting in this tutorial will be overridden and have no impact.

EXAMPLE: As Default Option Start Menu Power Button and "Shut Down Windows" Dialog

OPTION ONE

Change Default "Install Updates and Shut Down" using a REG File Download

NOTE: This option will affect all users on the computer. 1. To Allow "Install Updates and Shut Down" as Default Option
NOTE: This is the default setting. A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below. Make_Install-Updates-and-Shut-Down_Default.reg

Download


B) Go to step 3.
2. To Not Allow "Install Updates and Shut Down" as Default Option A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below. Make_Install-Updates-and-Shut-Down_NOT_Default.reg

Download


3. Save the .reg file to the desktop.

4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

5. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

6. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.

7. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

OPTION TWO

Change Default "Install Updates and Shut Down" in Local Group Policy Editor

1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.

2. In the left pane, click on to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and Windows Update. (see screenshot below)
3. In the right pane, right click on Do not adjust default option to 'Install Updates and Shut Down' in Shut Down Windows dialog box and click on Edit. (see screenshot above)

4. To Allow "Install Updates and Shut Down" as Default Option A) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled. (see screenshot below step 6)
NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.

B) Go to step 6.
5. To Not Allow "Install Updates and Shut Down" as Default Option A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below step 6)
6. Click on OK. (see screenshot below)
7. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.
That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Enable or Disable "Install Updates and Shut Down" Option in Windows 7
• How to Change the Default Action of the Alt+F4 "Shut Down Windows" Dialog
• How to Change the Default Windows 7 Start Menu Power Button Action
• How to Create a "Shut Down Windows" Shortcut in Windows 7
• How to Enable or Disable Windows Updates from Automatically Restarting the Computer
• How to Enable or Disable the Windows Update "Who can install updates" Setting
• How to Add or Remove the Shut Down, Restart, Sleep, and Hibernate Commands in Windows 7

 

[DonH]

Thanks for posting this. I get annoyed when I am installing software and need to restart only to find that the Start power button has changed to Install updates and shut off. I want to exercise some control over my system and have MS Update set to download updates but let me choose whether to install them. But with the default set to download and shut off, it felt like my wishes were being ignored.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Don.

 

[shriber]

Where exactly is the Local Group Policy Editor? It looks like you're saying to go to: Users > Choose a user > and this option will be listed somewhere ...

When I booted up this morning, this new Shut Down feature was added, AND I lost my Quick Launch, which I can get back, but it doesn't stay. I'm thinking my computer updated and changed something without letting me know first.

Thank you in advance!

 

[Brink]

Hello Shriber, and welcome to Seven Forums.

That path is for the left pane in the Local Group Policy Editor. However, the Local Group Policy Editor is not included in the Windows 7 Home Premium edition, so you will need to use OPTION ONE with the .reg file to set this with instead.

Every second Tuesday of the month is Windows Update patch day. Since you had important and critical updates available because it was Patch Tuesday, this would be why you got Shutdown with the little shield icon on your Start Menu power button.

Not sure about Quick Launch, but that's a separate issue for a separate new thread in General Discussion. For now, you can see if the information and tip at the top of the Quick Launch tutorial may be able to help.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[shriber]

Windows Update patch day? How about "Microsoft Help Hotline Mondays?" It would be really nice if there was a dialog box explaining what happened on reboot, so we'd know for the next time (with a check box to not show that window again of course). What other surprises do I have to look forward to in Windows 7? That was rhetorical... But really, I've had to schedule time every day to search answers for Windows 7 issues. Good thing I'm not the only one, and I'm thankful for this forum!

Now I have to figure out why my Quick Launch icons keep spontaneously rearranging, now that I have it back ... Thank you for the link on that!

 

[coop152]

wish i could delete my account but editing will have to do

 

[Brink]

Hello Coop, and welcome to Seven Forums.

If you mean the "Shut Down Windows" dialog box, then you could click on an empty area of the desktop, and press Alt+F4 to open it. Be careful though. Alt+F4 closes whatever is in focus, so that's why you must click on the desktop first to bring it in focus.

If you like, you could also use the shortcut in the tutorial below for it to avoid accidentally closing something you didn't want to.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/16801-shut-down-windows-shortcut.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn