“Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” is Grayed Out

When you open Settings and click Windows Update in Windows 10 or 11, the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” option may be grayed out.

get latest updates - windows update - grayed out

RELATED: Get Windows updates as soon as they’re available for your device – Microsoft Support

Cause

This happens if some of the following Windows Update policies are configured in the system.

  • SetAllowOptionalContent
  • AllowOptionalContent
  • TargetReleaseVersion
  • TargetReleaseVersionInfo

Resolution

To remove the above Policies, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Using Command Prompt

From an admin Command Prompt window, run this command:

reg delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /f

Press Enter.


Method 2: Using the Registry Editor.

Launch regedit.exe and go to the following branch:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

Delete the following values (if they exist) in the right pane:

  • SetAllowOptionalContent
  • AllowOptionalContent
  • TargetReleaseVersion
  • TargetReleaseVersionInfo

Exit the Registry Editor.

Restart Windows if required.


Method 3: Using the Local Group Policy Editor

If you’ve previously used the Local Group Policy Editor to apply the policies, you must use the Local Group Policy Editor to undo the policies.

Launch gpedit.msc and go to the following section:

For Windows 10

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Windows Update for Business

For Windows 11



Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage updates offered from Windows Update

Double-click “Enable optional updates“.

Set it to Enabled, and click Apply.

Set it to Not configured, and click OK.

Double-click “Select the target Feature Update version“.

Set it to Enabled, and click Apply.

Set it to Not configured, and click OK.

Close the Local Group Policy Editor.

Restart Windows if required.

Open Windows Update in Settings. The “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” option should be ungrayed.


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Ramesh Srinivasan is passionate about Microsoft technologies and he has been a consecutive ten-time recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional award in the Windows Shell/Desktop Experience category, from 2003 to 2012. He loves to troubleshoot and write about Windows. Ramesh founded Winhelponline.com in 2005.

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