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Open Control Panel > System and Security > Security and Maintenance > Automatic Maintenance. In Windows 11, search for Control Panel from Start, open it, and follow that route. The page’s presentation can vary with Control Panel’s view mode or Windows release, but Automatic Maintenance is the destination.
Open the Automatic Maintenance page
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Search for Control Panel from Start and open it.
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Go to System and Security > Security and Maintenance.
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Open Automatic Maintenance.
Microsoft documents this Control Panel location for Automatic Maintenance in its Automatic maintenance (Task Scheduler) documentation. If your Control Panel is using a different view, look for the same destination; category presentation can vary.
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Automatic Maintenance is not simply a collection of jobs that must begin at an exact clock time. Microsoft describes Task Scheduler maintenance tasks as “opportunistic tasks that run when the machine is idle and on AC power.” A task may therefore wait until the PC is idle and plugged in rather than starting precisely at its scheduled time.
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Microsoft’s documentation also describes Automatic Management as enhancements to the Task Scheduler API that let applications connect to the Windows maintenance schedule. That relationship does not mean every maintenance job is exposed in one Task Scheduler folder, or that you should edit individual tasks to control the overall feature.
Choose the right Windows maintenance control
Several Windows tools have similar names but different jobs. Use the one that matches what you want to do:
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| Goal | Where to go | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Find Automatic Maintenance | Control Panel > System and Security > Security and Maintenance > Automatic Maintenance | The Automatic Maintenance settings page. |
| Run the System Maintenance troubleshooter | Control Panel > Troubleshooting > View all > System Maintenance | Diagnostics, not Automatic Maintenance configuration. See Microsoft’s System Maintenance troubleshooter instructions. |
| Manage update restart timing | Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Active hours | When Windows Update can restart the device. Microsoft says active hours can be adjusted automatically or selected manually; see Keep your PC up to date with active hours. |
| Troubleshoot Windows Update | Start with the automated troubleshooter in Get Help, or go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update | Diagnoses Windows Update problems. See Microsoft’s Windows Update Troubleshooter. |
| Change a Microsoft Defender scheduled scan | Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows > Windows Defender > Windows Defender Scheduled Scan > Triggers | One Defender scan task, not the complete Automatic Maintenance schedule. Microsoft provides these steps in Help protect my device with Windows Security. |
For Windows Update restarts, check your device’s current settings
Active hours are the relevant setting when your concern is update-related restart timing, rather than the Automatic Maintenance page. Update behavior can also vary by Windows version and rollout. Microsoft’s August 14, 2026 guidance says updates released on and after July 28, 2026 are being combined for a single monthly restart on Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1, with gradual rollout. The article says driver, .NET, and firmware updates wait for the monthly security update, while some security intelligence, emergency, and expedited updates may install sooner. Check Windows Update on your own PC rather than assuming this experience is available to every device; see One restart a month for Windows updates.
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