[AnotherCat]

Windows 10 64.

I cannot recall any occasion with any application not installing unless rebooting first. I also cannot recall any occasion where I have had to reboot to complete an installation of an update (Windows own updates excluded, of course). My recollection would be pretty reliable for a couple of years or so back.

The only thing that comes immediately to mind that I do differently to most is I block Windows automatic update downloads and installs unless specifically authorised by me. When downloaded they are installed completely straight away (i.e. not left pending a restart). Looking at some of the comments above I wonder if this is the reason for my experience; there are never any Windows update files in waiting or partially installed on the PCs here.

I know not many people block Windows update automatic downloads and installs because I often see them complaining about them. Why they don't just stop them I have no idea.

Aside: the reason here for blocking Windows automatic update downloads is nothing to do with distrust, but is because when mobile we use metered cellular hot spotting (here most service providers currently do not allow hot spotting on unlimited data accounts, and those that do on unlimited accounts soon throttle it to avoid terabyte type use by the likes of torrent clients).