How to Cancel Windows 11 update?

Question

I'm one of the people who had Windows 11 download itself without me telling it to do so. Now, it is ready for install. I do not want to install Windows 11 at this point. I want to keep my Windows 10.

I've paused it for 7 days, but this is a temporary solution. Can I delete the Windows 11 download somehow? I'm running Windows 10 on a brand new Dell computer.

Answer 1

Hi PortlandMT,

I'm Rodrigo and I will help you.

Go to folder C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download and delete everything inside it, this folder contains all update files.

Answer 2

I see,

You can block Windows 11 update by changing some registry keys.

Be careful while using the Registry Editor, if you change the wrong key, you can mess up your system.

It is very important to keep your system updated, always check for updates on Windows Update.

Now follow these instructions to block Windows 11 Update:

Right Click the Start Menu and select "Run"

type regedit and press Enter

On the Registry editor window, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

(You can copy and paste the address on the address bar)

On the right side of the screen, right click > New > DWORD (32-bit) > and name it TargetReleaseVersion , double click it and set Value Data to 1

Again on the right side of the screen , right click > New > String Value > and name it ProductVersion , double click it and set Value Data to Windows 10

Again on the right side of the screen , right click > New > String Value > and name it TargetReleaseVersionInfo , double click it and set Value Data to 21h2

If you can't find the Windows Update key, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows, right click > New > Key , and name it WindowsUpdate

Answer 3

Hi,

A TargetedReleaseVersion is a group policy introduced with Windows 10 version 1803. If you specify a TargetReleaseVersion as the current version, Windows 10 will remain on this release until it reaches the end of service, hence blocking the Windows 11 update. Windows 10 21H1 and 21H2 updates have a lot of time until they reach the end of service. The first command enables the policy, and the second specifies the target version.

How to Stop or Block Windows 11 update - Your Windows Guide

• Right-click Start and select Windows Powershell(admin).
• Press Yes when Prompted.
• Type cmd.exe to open Command Prompt inside Powershell.

Paste the following commands to enable Targeted Updates to a specific release:

Command 1:

reg add HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate /v TargetReleaseversion /t REG_DWORD /d 1

Command 2:

If you are on Windows 10 version 21H2, use the command below:

reg add HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate /v TargetReleaseversionInfo /t REG_SZ /d 21H2

If you are onWindows 10 version 21H1, use the command below:

reg add HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate /v TargetReleaseversionInfo /t REG_SZ /d 21H1

You should see the*“The command completed successfully”* message when you enter the commands.

Then trigger the Group Policy by entering the command gpupdate /force in the same Window as the final step.

Answer 4

I have read several articles stating exactly what you are saying to do. I'm uncomfortable changing anything in the registry.

So, I'll just continue to keep pausing the Windows 11 installation. It is fully downloaded on my computer and I was hoping to delete it or cancel it. Just infuriates me that I can't do that. Just as if it is being forced on me.

Answer 5

Please bear with me. I don't want Windows 11 to be downloaded on my computer (this is the issue). Right now I have the 'pending restart' paused for 35 days.

1. If I delete all those files in the software distribution folder, will the Windows 11 download only happen if I give it permission to download?

It sounds like you are saying that I can delete the files, but it will still keep downloading and I'll forever have an issue of trying to delete and stop the installation???