How to Cancel Windows 11 update?

Congratulations @Regressist!

I wasn't sure if deleting the entire C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download\ would cause any problems, so I only deleted the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download\29915d28b757d79214ddd971f3fd6134 directory. It was the largest by far, so it was pretty easy to conclude that it was the one containing the Windows 11 files.

I have Windows 10 home version so I do not have the Group Policy Editor like Windows 10 Pro.

The Group Policy Editor seems to be just another way to edit the registry keys that Rodrigo Quieroz posted about on December 18 (page 1).

First of all thanks to all the people (particularly Jojun and Portland) who replied and also to all the posts which helped to understand in this **** situation (which should never happen: Ford does not change the clutch of your car without your permission after all)

It works !! I resumed updates and 21H2 was 0% ready to install. There was also a bunch of security updates. Done

Summing up I did the following

1. With edith Group policy set 21H2 as target, reboot
2. the very last day before the planned installation I deleted the content of the dir C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download Maybe this is not necessary but I did this because I was scared to resume and not having the possibility to stop it Maybe it is a good idea to snap a picture of the content of that dir before deleting the content
3. reboot
4. I saw that slowly the option to delay the installation increased the possible final day, up to months, which I did
5. A few days later, because of my worry on security and thanks to the above suggestions I resumed and found that 21H2 was pending, and let it go

Question to Portland: did you ever change the group policy? If you did you should have now 21H2. Maybe you want rather try win11?

I've just set these 'switches' in my Registry, as the update keeps downloading and insists installing Windows 11. That is even after having an on-line chat with a Micro$oft person, who provided an additional resourse: https://www.yourwindowsguide.com/2021/12/block-windows-11-update.html#.YfUonPinzws

I shall provide a reply to this post if any further update process attempts skullduggery!

Martin.

The registry switch *on its own* only works *before* the Windows 11 update appears.

If Windows Update has started downloading Windows 11, it is too late.

By then it has created the download directory for the Windows 11 upgrade.

The directory name (29915d28b757d79214ddd971f3fd6134 on my machines) is an identifier.

The identifier tells Windows Update (wuauserv) that it has a patch that isn't finished downloading yet. So if Windows Update is running and finds the directory, it will proceed with downloading the corresponding files from Microsoft.

And if you delete the directory, while wuauserv and bits are running, the services 'know what they are working on', and will recreate the directory immediately.

So.. Stop wuauserv and bits. You need admin privileges to do this.

Delete the directory.

Reboot.

If you have entered the registry keys correctly, you should now be targeting Windows 10 21H2 instead of Windows 11.

Full instructions in earlier posts. Will not retype them.

This is not a nuisance.

1. Click on 'Resume Updates'
2. In a second or two you will see the list of updates that are either in the downloading mode (it should show a 0% as it starts to work) OR an update that says 'PENDING INSTALL'.
3. If is says 'PENDING INSTALL' and it is WINDOWS 11, then you will have your answer.

While your computer is still at the 0% getting ready to download the updates, scroll down to advance

options. Pick 'PAUSE FOR 35 day'.

Close your setting.

Nothing will happen. Nothing will install and you have time to pause it. This is the only way to see what is knocking at your door. I've done this 3 times already and am now paused until March 1st. I'll do it again one day ahead of time and go for another 35 days. I just need to get through all my business taxes before I take the leap of faith with Windows 11. Plus, the more I read and here, the longer you can wait, the better you are. Microsoft keeps updating with fixes for all of the bugs. Just wait as long as you can. It will save you frustration with so many bugs/fixes.

That was my error in wording. It is 'Resume Updates'. Once you click that you will see what your computer is trying to download and/or install. After you see that, you can then go into advance options and hit pause again for another day or whatever time frame it is letting you pause for. Here is a screen shot of mine right now.