Windows Update - Enable or Disable Start Menu Power Button Alert

**Brink** · **METHOD ONE:**

How to Enable or Disable Windows Update Start Menu Power Button Alert in Vista

Information

This will show you how to enable or disable Windows Update from taking over and displaying the Install Updates and Shut down alert shield icon on the Start Menu power button, then installs the available Windows Update when you click on the power button instead. This is enabled by default in Vista.

NOTE

If you just wanted to replace the Windows Update alert icon shield on the Start Menu power button with a option used in the Start Menu power options arrow menu instead of disabling it, then see: How to Add or Remove Install Updates and Shut Down to the Vista Start Menu instead.

WARNING

Disabling this option will prevent all Windows Update Install Updates and Shut down alert options from working in the Start Menu shutdown areas.

RELATED LINKS:

EXAMPLE: Start Menu Power Button with "Install Updates and Shut Down" Alert Enabled and Disabled
NOTE: You will only see the Install Updates and Shut Down alert shield if there was an available Windows Update to install.

With_Alert_Shield.jpg Without_Alert_Shield.jpg

METHOD ONE:
Through the Local Group Policy Editor

NOTE

This method is only available for the Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions. See Method Two below for the Vista Home Basic and Home Premium editions.

1. Open the Start Menu.
2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
3. Click Continue for the UAC prompt.
4. In the left pane, click on User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and Windows Update. (See screenshot below)
5. In the right pane, right click on Do not display 'Install Updates and Shut Down' option in Shut Down Windows dialog box and click Properties.

Group_Policy.jpg

6. To Enable Install Updates and Shut Down Option -
A) Dot Disabled or Not Configured and click OK. (See screenshot below)
B) Go to step 8.

7. To Disable Install Updates and Shut Down Option -
A) Dot Enabled and click OK.

Properties.jpg

8. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.

METHOD TWO:
Through the Registry

NOTE

This will work for all Vista versions.

Through a Download:
1. To Enable Install Updates and Shut Down Option -
A) Click on the download button below to download the Enable_WU_PowerButton_Alert.reg file.
B) Go to step 3.

2. To Disable Install Updates and Shut Down Option -
A) Click on the download button below to download the Disable_WU_PowerButton_Alert.reg file.

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.
4. Right click the .reg (On Desktop) file and click Merge.
5. Click on the Run button for Security Warning pop-up.
6. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.
7. When done, you can delete the .reg file (On Desktop).
8. Logoff and logon, or restart the computer to apply.

The Manual Way:
1. Open the Start Menu.
2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.
3. Click the Continue button for the UAC prompt.
4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
NOTE: If you do not have WindowsUpdate in the left pane, then right click on Windows and click on New and Key. Type WindowsUpdate and press Enter.

Reg1.jpg

5. To Disable Install Updates and Shut Down Option -
A) In the left pane, right click on WindowsUpdate and click on New and Key. Type AU and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If you already have AU in the left pane, then skip this step 5A and go to step 5B instead.

Reg2.jpg
B) In the right pane of AU, right click on a empty space and click on New and DWORD (32-bit) Value. Type NoAUShutdownOption and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
C) Right click on NoAUShutdownOption and click Modify.

Reg3.jpg

D) Type 1 and click OK. (See screenshot below)

Modify.jpg
E) The registry will now look like this. (See screenshot below)

Reg4.jpg
F) Go to step 7.

6. To Enable Install Updates and Shut Down Option -
A) In the right pane, right click on NoAUShutdownOption and click Delete. (See screenshot above)
B) Click Yes to confirm deletion.

7. Close regedit.
8. Logoff and logon, or restart the computer to apply.

That's it,
Shawn

pcsience · 4 Weeks Ago

Hi.
I've got the same problem.I've downloaded the program "REGEDIT".but it was no good.The Install Updates And Shut Down alert shield's still there!!!!!!!!!!I don't know whether the installation is incomplete or the Update,that keeps showing that!!!there's gotta be something wrong,right??

**Brink** · 4 Weeks Ago

Hello Pcsience, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Try these reg files instead and please let me know if they work for you. They add the same settings as above to HKLM also. You will need to logoff and logon, or restart the computer afterwards.

Disable_Alert.reg < Click to Download

Enable_Alert.reg < Click to Download

If they still will not work, then this can be another option for you.

Install Updates and Shut Down - Add or Remove from Start Menu

Hope this helps,
Shawn

pcsience · 4 Weeks Ago

It Worked......
heeeyyyyy...Thanks man.it worked.just one last question!!?if it starts to download updates again,will the alert shield icon appear again??I mean this registry completely disables the install update alert shield icon????cuz if it does,then that's another problem.

**Brink** · 4 Weeks Ago

Pcsience,

Which item above worked for you, the new reg files or the alternative tutorial?

The Install Updates and Shut Down icon is disabled with either one of these for the Start menu power button.

4 Weeks Ago
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP1 15,101 posts Texas, USA Rep Power: 150	Re: Windows Update - Enable or Disable Start Menu Power Button Alert Hello Pcsience, and welcome to Vista Forums. Try these reg files instead and please let me know if they work for you. They add the same settings as above to HKLM also. You will need to logoff and logon, or restart the computer afterwards. Disable_Alert.reg < Click to Download Enable_Alert.reg < Click to Download If they still will not work, then this can be another option for you. Install Updates and Shut Down - Add or Remove from Start Menu Hope this helps, Shawn
	There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them. Vista Forums Please post feedback to help others.

4 Weeks Ago
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP1 15,101 posts Texas, USA Rep Power: 150	Re: Windows Update - Enable or Disable Start Menu Power Button Alert Pcsience, Which item above worked for you, the new reg files or the alternative tutorial? The Install Updates and Shut Down icon is disabled with either one of these for the Start menu power button.
	There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them. Vista Forums Please post feedback to help others.

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4 Weeks Ago
pcsience Newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 Windows Vista Home Basic 32bit 2 posts Rep Power: 1	Re: Windows Update - Enable or Disable Start Menu Power Button Alert Hi. I've got the same problem.I've downloaded the program "REGEDIT".but it was no good.The Install Updates And Shut Down alert shield's still there!!!!!!!!!!I don't know whether the installation is incomplete or the Update,that keeps showing that!!!there's gotta be something wrong,right??