How to Cancel Windows 11 update?

I tried the GPO, but it didn't work. At least not on its own.

From the description, it sounds as if I was in the same state as Mary when I tried it. Both machines had Windows 11 downloaded and were just waiting for reboot to install; On one machine I had tried out Windows 11, and reverted back to Windows 10, but it had downloaded Windows 11 again and was just waiting for me to reboot so it could install it. And on the second machine, I wasn't even given an option. It had decided I should have Windows 11, and had downloaded it and waited for a reboot.

If you are in this state, both the GPO and the Registry hack are ineffective, because Windows Update first checks if there are any incomplete updates to download in the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download\ directory. The folder named '29915d28b757d79214ddd971f3fd6134' is the one for the Windows 11 update.

I found that if I just deleted the folder, then Windows Update re-created it again immediately. So to do it properly, you have to stop the Windows Update Server (wuauserv) and the transfer service (BITS).

At this point the Registry hack works. The GPO might also work.

Full instructions on page 5.

I was told by MS that the same should work and confirmed by other users as well.

Can you send me a screenshot of the policies you applied?

Ideally, gpudate command, and then pausing and resuming updates is necessary.

Thanks for your reply, here it is

As soon as possible or as late as I could put it off. But then it keeps popping back up. It also happened twice just by turning my computer off for the night.

Also, I've taken Wndows 11 off twice by following another set of instructions. Within a week or so, I was asked when I wanted to update to Windows 11. Argh! Hope it is now taken care of.

The reason I don't want this update is that it "killed" my PrintMaster Gold 16, which has so many of my projects. Plus I use it almost every day.

Mary, I am afraid there is no other way other than to use a GPO which I mentioned on page 1 of this thread. (link to the post).

Maybe a Reset of Windows 10 install help, but I don't see a reason to Reset when adding certain bits in the registry do the job for you.

ANOTHER WAY TO 'DOWNGRADE' / 'ROLLBACK' / REVERT TO WINDOWS 10

The option to revert back to Windows 10 expires 10 days after installation of Windows 11.

However, there is a way to extend the option to 60 days. See

https://windowsreport.com/rollback-windows-11/

Alternatively, create a full backup and system image prior to installation of Windows 11 & save to a portable hard drive. Or, if you didn't do that prior to installation of Windows 11, use Windows 'Backup & Restore' to create a system image soon after installation of Windows 11, BEFORE the 10 day option to 'Go back' to your previous version of Windows expires.

Hi, I just created a system image on an HD, not bootable.

Now the question is: does windows 11 allow the selection of this image and the installation?

Even from 10 I am not able to find a menu where I can start the restoration. In the menu Restore if I select "SELECT another backup to restore files from" there is nothing available, nor I can point it to the HD

Thanks for any explanation

I know many folks who did install Windows 11. No issues other than some minor tweaking. Maybe you should install Windows 11 again and just try to live with it.

Other people have rolled back to Windows 10 after using Windows 11 for a few days. You are expressing the issues they have seen and some are even worse. Something happens during the rollback to Windows 10 that then really messes up your computer.