Automatic Updates detection frequency: registry value DetectionFrequencyEnabled and 1 moreComputerHKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU

Policy ID: DetectionFrequency_Title
Scope: Computer Configuration
Supported on: At least Windows XP Professional Service Pack 1 or Windows 2000 Service Pack 3, excluding Windows RT
Source: Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
Category: Windows Components › Windows Update › Manage updates offered from Windows Server Update Service

Registry

DetectionFrequencyEnabled

REG_DWORDComputer

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU Current key

Enabled value: 1
Disabled value: 0

Apply with .reg · CMD · PowerShell

.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]

; Options (use only one)
; Enabled
"DetectionFrequencyEnabled"=dword:00000001
; Disabled
"DetectionFrequencyEnabled"=dword:00000000

CMD

:: Options (use only one)

:: Enabled
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" /v "DetectionFrequencyEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
:: Disabled
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" /v "DetectionFrequencyEnabled" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

PowerShell

# Common: create the key
New-Item -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU' -Force | Out-Null

# Options (use only one)
# Enabled
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU' -Name 'DetectionFrequencyEnabled' -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force | Out-Null
# Disabled
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU' -Name 'DetectionFrequencyEnabled' -PropertyType DWord -Value 0 -Force | Out-Null

DetectionFrequency

REG_DWORDComputer

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU Current key

Enabled value: Depends on the option value
Element: interval (hours):
Value type: REG_DWORD
Required: true
Minimum value: 1
Maximum value: 22

Apply with .reg · CMD · PowerShell

.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]

; Value names and types follow the ADMX. Replace <enter value> below with your own data
"DetectionFrequency"=dword:<enter value>

CMD

:: Value names and types follow the ADMX. Replace <enter value> below with your own data

reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" /v "DetectionFrequency" /t REG_DWORD /d "<enter value>" /f

PowerShell

# Value names and types follow the ADMX. Replace <enter value> below with your own data

New-Item -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU' -Force | Out-Null
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU' -Name 'DetectionFrequency' -PropertyType DWord -Value '<enter value>' -Force | Out-Null