Automatic Updates detection frequency

Specifies the hours that Windows will use to determine how long to wait before checking for available updates. The exact wait time is determined by using the hours specified here minus zero to twenty percent of the hours specified. For example, if this policy is used to specify a 20 hour detection frequency, then all clients to which this policy is applied will check for updates anywhere between 16 and 20 hours.

If the status is set to Enabled, Windows will check for available updates at the specified interval.

If the status is set to Disabled or Not Configured, Windows will check for available updates at the default interval of 22 hours.

Note: The "Specify intranet Microsoft update service location" setting must be enabled for this policy to have effect.

Note: If the "Configure Automatic Updates" policy is disabled, this policy has no effect.

Supported on: Windows XP Professional Service Pack 1 or At least Windows 2000 Service Pack 3

Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry PathSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU
Value NameDetectionFrequencyEnabled
Value TypeREG_DWORD
Enabled Value1
Disabled Value0

Check for updates at the following

interval (hours):

Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry PathSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU
Value NameDetectionFrequency
Value TypeREG_DWORD
Default Value22
Min Value1
Max Value22

windowsupdate.admx

Administrative Templates (Computers)

Administrative Templates (Users)