Enable Automatically Adjust Active Hours in Windows 10

Windows 10 now includes the Active Hours feature, that allows the user to customize the time during which you are expected to be using your PC. No updates will be installed, and no restarts will be scheduled during those hours, so it seems to be a way to keep the user in control. Starting with Windows 10 build 18282, Windows can automatically adjust active hours for you based on your device activity.

If the user sets active hours, for example, between 10 AM and 3 PM, Windows Update will not disturb the user during that period. Only between 3 PM to 10 AM, Windows Update will perform its regular maintenance and downloads, install updates and restart.

Windows 10 Build 18282 introduces the Intelligent Active Hours feature. You can turn this setting on to allow Windows automatically adjust active hours for you based on your device activity. With Intelligent Active Hours enabled, reboots will not disrupt your productive time.

To enable Automatically Adjust Active Hours in Windows 10, do the following.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to Update & security -> Windows Update.
3. On the right, click on the link Change active hours.
4. On the next page, turn on the option Automatically adjust active hours for me based on my daily usage. See the screenshot below:

The feature is now enabled.

Alternatively, you can enable it with a Registry tweak.

Change the Automatically Adjust Active Hours option with a Registry tweak

Before proceeding, ensure that your user account has administrative privileges. Now, follow the instructions below.

1. Download the following ZIP archive: Download ZIP archive.
2. Extract its contents to any folder. You can place the files directly to the Desktop.
3. Unblock the files.
4. Double click on the Enable Intelligent Active Hours.reg file to merge it.
5. To remove the entry from the context menu, use the provided file Disable Intelligent Active Hours.reg.

You are done!

How it works

The Registry files above modify the Registry branch.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings

Tip: See how to go to a Registry key with one click.

Here, modify or create a new 32-bit DWORD value SmartActiveHoursState and set its value data as 1 to enable the feature. Note: Even if you are running 64-bit Windows you must still create a 32-bit DWORD value.

A value data of 2 will disable the Intelligent Active Hours feature.

That's it

Related articles:

• Change Windows Update Active hours in Windows 10
• Disable Windows Update Active hours in Windows 10