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Important Updates Are Pending: How to Disable The Pop up
Give a try to these quick methods now
8 min. read
Updated onMarch 18, 2024
updated onMarch 18, 2024
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“I keep getting the prompt: “Important updates are pending”, Why am I getting this prompt instead of the computer automatically installing it outside of active hours?”
Windows Updateprovides important service packs, patches, and other pertinent updates necessary for the Windows operating system and other software to function as they should.
The feature can also be used toupdate driversfor commonly used hardware devices, and all these are routinely released onPatch Tuesday, usually the second Tuesday of each month. However, Microsoft can also release urgent fixes on other days as they arise.
If you cannot use the automatic updating feature, you can check for new updates every week, most of which are installed automatically.
However, Windows Update needs input occasionally, so you’ll get a notification icon on the taskbar in such cases.
When you get theImportant Updates are Pendingpopup screen regularly, it could be thatthe update process was sloweither due to the internet speed or a slow system, so the process will remain under ‘pending.’ Each time you log in, you’ll get the ‘Important Updates are Pending’ popup as an automatic prompt.
Microsoft has configured Windows Updates in such a way that you can nowdisable updates, but it is mandatory to install them.
You canpause these updates temporarily, but most users find it annoying to restart the system, leaving their work unattended while they wait for the whole update process to complete.
If not properly configured, Windows will restart your computer at its own time, sometimes without notifying you, and after a reboot, it can take so much time to update your system, whether you’re in a hurry or not.
When you get the Important Updates are Pending popup screen, try the solutions below to resolve the issue inWindows 10.
How can I fix Important Updates are Pending pop-up screen?
1. Reset the reboot flag
The first thing to do in this case is to reboot your computer. If you haven’t done so, then reset the reboot flag. To do this:
Can’t access Registry Editor? Things aren’t as scary as they seem. Check out this guide and solve the issue quickly.
2. Download and run the latest System Update Readiness Tool
There are two parts to installing an update: running in the context of the WUA or at shutdown/startup. In the WUA context, the installation finishes successfully, and the WUA logs it as successful.
However, the update is not installed if that process remains or fails at shutdown/startup. The WUA doesn’t report this failure because it doesn’t understand it.
This happens as a defect in the patching mechanism when the servicing stack and agent are written and/or maintained by two different groups, so none of them know what the other does.
In this case, download and run the System Update Readiness Tool to see what it says about the computer.
This System Update Readiness Tool is used because inconsistencies are found in the Windows servicing store, which may prevent the successful installation of future updates, service packs, and software.
It checks your computer for such inconsistencies and tries to resolve issues if found.
3. Run System restore
The Important Updates are Pending popup screen can be caused by a security app block or corrupted system files.
Run System restore to get your computer back to the point before the issue began. To do this:
4. Run an SFC scan
This will fix any file system corruption it finds during the scan.
5. Reset Windows Update components
The steps here are part of modifying the registry. Ensure you follow these steps correctly and carefully. Back up the registry before you modify it, then restore it if a problem occurs.
net stop wuauservnet stop cryptSvcnet stop bitsnet stop msiserver
6. Install pending updates
Disable anysecurity apps or softwareinstalled on your computer temporarily, and check for updates via Windows Updates on your Settings.
Install the pending updates again, and restart your computer to see if the ‘Important Updates are Pending’ popup screen disappears.
7. Schedule an update
Instead of ignoring the Important Updates are Pending pop-up screen, you can schedule the updates later when you’re more accessible to let the computer update automatically.
Usually, Windows gives you the option toRestart now,Pick a time, orSnoozeto get the update reminder later in about three days. So schedule the time you feel works for you and let it update.
8. Check Group Policy Editor Options
The Group Policy Editor Options for Windows Updates can be configured in this way:
9. Turn off notification balloons
10. Check Event Viewer
If you get the ‘Important Updates are Pending’ popup screen, something may prevent it from restarting. Check Event Viewer for any clues.
Confirm if the update was successfully installed by checkingSettings>Update & Security>View.
11. Stop Windows Update completely
12. Disable update on restart using Group Policy
Enable theDo not display ‘Install Updates and Shut Down’option in the Shut Down Windows dialog box in Group Policy to make install updates and shut down options disappear. The standard shutdown-only option will be displayed.
Disabling update and shutdownoption in Group Policy is a permanent option, which means the shutdown and update/restart and update options won’t be shown in the shutdown dialog box.
Go toSettings>Windows UpdateselectInstall Updates,and restart your computer from here.
13. Bypass updates using the command line
You can do this temporarily to bypass updates on restart/shutdown by stopping Windows Update service before restarting or shutting down your computer. To do this:
To restart the system, typeshutdown –r –t 0.You can also run all commands simultaneously by typing:net stop wuauserv && shutdown –r –t 0so you can shut down or restart your system without installing updates.
Let us know if you managed to fix the Important updates are pendingissue on your computer by leaving a comment in the section below.
More about the topics:windows 10,Windows Update
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
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Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
