Windows Server 2019, 2016, 2012R2 defaults Windows Updates to DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL and there is no obvious way to change those settings. Here are two easy ways to set Windows Update as you see fit:
1 – SCONFIG
- Open a CMD PROMPT as an Administrator
- Type SCONFIG and press ENTER
- Type 5 and press ENTER
- Type M for Manual (or D for Download Only) and press ENTER
If SCONFIG still shows WINDOWS UPDATES are set to CUSTOM, go to the next method:
2 – LOCAL SECURITY POLICY or GROUP POLICY
- Click START and type GPEDIT.MSC and press ENTER (or open the GROUP POLICY MANAGEMENT CONSOLE and open an existing GPO or start a new one)
- Expand COMPUTER CONFIGURATION > ADMINISTRATIVE TOOLS > WINDOWS COMPONENTS > WINDOWS UPDATE
- Double click on CONFIGURE AUTOMATIC UPDATES
- Select either DISABLED (equivalent to MANUAL) or ENABLED and select what you would like from the drop down list
2 Comments
Steve · October 14, 2020 at 12:24 pm
I had the windows update error 0x8024401c on windows server 2019 and the fix for me what changing the settings to manual via SCONFIG. thank you.
SOLVED: SCONFIG Windows Update Settings = CUSTOM – Up & Running Technologies, Tech How To's · October 18, 2022 at 8:09 pm
[…] you are using SCONFIG to set Windows Update to MANUAL or DOWNLOAD ONLY but seeing it always as CUSTOM, your Windows […]