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Sophos Anti-Virus for Windows 2000+: reboot requested when upgrading

When Sophos Anti-Virus for Windows 2000+ undergoes a major upgrade, it requests a reboot. A 'Restart required' dialog box opens. This displays the following message for 30 seconds:

Sophos Anti-Virus has been updated with new functionality.
The changes will come into effect when you restart your computer.
Your computer will continue to be protected even if you chose not to restart.
If you are ready to restart, click "Restart now". Otherwise, click "Restart later" or wait for this message box to close.
This message box will close automatically after 30 seconds.

Note: There is often no need to reboot immediately after installing the update.

This reboot is a requirement of the Windows operating system. See 'Technical details'.

Enterprise Console will display the following error message against each computer that has been updated, but not rebooted, until the reboot has taken place:

Error 0000006d Restart needed for update to take effect

What to do

Technical details

Rebooting

The Windows operating systems cannot dynamically unload and re-load filter drivers, which is why a reboot is required. When new filter drivers (e.g. for the Sophos Anti-Virus on-access scanner) are made available, a reboot will be needed. Other fixes will work without a reboot.

Error messages in Enterprise Console

Note: When drivers were updated in the older versions of Sophos Anti-Virus for Windows, a reboot was also required by the Windows operating system.

If you need more information or guidance, then please contact technical support.