How To Prevent Windows XP From Rebooting

If you are like most other Windows XP users you're probably leaving multiple windows open and the information in those windows has not been saved. One of the worst feelings is returning to your computer and finding out that good old XP has downloaded and installed new security updates AND the update required an automatic restart, OUCH!

Or... if you're like me you get tired of the pesky little pop-up window with a countdown that tries to reboot your computer in 15 seconds.

Well, it turns out that a simple edit to the system Registry will stop all this nonsense and will save you from loosing lost data because of an automatic system reboot.

NOTE!!!!!!

Your system Registry is VERY sensitive to be messed with and you can potentially create MUCH more trouble for yourself unless you follow these instructions slowly and to the point.

Click > Start > Run > type regedit > press enter

When the Registry Editor is opened:

Click > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies > Microsoft\Windows

Right click Windows > select New\Key w/left mouse button

Type > WindowsUpdate and press Enter > this creates a new folder

Right click the folder > create another new key named AU (auto update)

Turn to the right-hand pane, where an entry reads (Default); right-click on the white space and select New DWORD Value. Enter the string NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers, and press Enter. Now double-click that entry and change the Value Data to a 1, with the Base button of Hexadecimal selected.

Click on File > Exit, after which the Registry autosaves (just as other applications ought to but don't), and reboot.

Once Windows loads this value it should never force an automatic reboot.