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.
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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