I'm currently managing an unattended Windows machine (running Windows 7) that operates in kiosk mode with no user interaction. We're finally upgrading this system to a new machine with Windows 11, but I want to ensure that we have control over Windows updates. Specifically, I need to know how to: a) schedule updates to run at a specific time (like 3 AM) and b) prevent Windows from requiring any user interaction during these updates. Any guidance on setting this up would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
You can achieve this by setting up a scheduled task that executes a PowerShell script for Windows updates. Here's a brief outline: First, ensure you have the PSWindowsUpdate module installed. If not, you can install it, import the module, and then use `Get-WindowsUpdate -AcceptAll -Install -AutoReboot` to handle updates. This will install available updates without any prompts and reboot as necessary. Just make sure you set the task to run as an administrator!
I tried that method before and it worked like a charm! The PSWindowsUpdate module is solid, just keep your PowerShell updated.
If you're looking for a simpler alternative, you can consider using Action1, which is free for the first 200 endpoints. It allows you to disable Windows updates completely through a script, and then you can set up the update automation and reboots to happen when you specify. This might be the easiest route if you're managing multiple machines!
Instead of using a script, you could also adjust the active hours in Windows settings so updates happen during those hours. Plus, schedule a daily reboot with Task Scheduler at a convenient time.