Windows Update

Google Chrome Prepares Deferred Restart Feature to Apply Security Updates Without Disruption

Google is developing a queued restart capability for Chrome that lets the browser install updates after detecting user inactivity instead of forcing an immediate closure. The feature, tracked under the queued-restarts theme in Chromium code, offers users the choice to restart right away or wait for roughly five minutes of idle time. Chrome will automatically skip the restart if the browser is downloading files, playing audio or video, recording the screen, or using the camera. Notifications and a menu indicator labeled Scheduled Restart will inform users of the planned update, while additional reminders may appear when opening new tabs. The implementation currently lacks the ability to select a precise restart time like Windows Update and remains limited to the absence of activity. Google has previously committed to reducing the annoyance of mandatory browser restarts for security patches, though the feature has not yet reached the stable channel.