How to Cancel Windows 11 update?

Forgive my ignorance, but is the "catalog" The entire folder that says Download (Windows>SoftwareDistribution>Download ) or all of the folders and files within the Download folder?

I made the awful mistake of thinking I wanted to "upgrade" to Windows 11, but (fortunately, as it turns out) the installation failed for lack of disk space. It kept wanting me to offload some things to make room. I have a Surface Pro and almost everything I have is stored on a mini SD disk, so other than my iTunes I have very few files stored on the drive.

In the meantime, I learned that I will lose tablet mode if I go to Windows 11 so that is all I need to know. I do not want it, yet as others are finding, it is a constant battle to keep it from trying to download. So, 2 questions:

1. If I keep pausing updates, will I miss other important updates for my current operating system? In case this is relevant, I am running Windows Home 21 H1.
2. If I do nothing to free up disk space, will this effectively keep me safe from Windows 11? Right now, after having deleted the last install attempts from the Windows>Software Distributions>Downloads folder as described elsewhere in this thread I have 10.8 G free on my local disk. Am I right to think this will never be enough for Windows 11 to install? It does download 100% and starts the install process, but I pause it in a panic for fear it will go all the way somehow. Then I go delete the download file as described above, to free up a bit of my disk space. But I am afraid that if I leave my computer unguarded by a full pause, somehow it will find the space to install next time!

I have read the registry block fix answers, and I am too chicken to try those!

Hi Matt,

There really are no good options. I agree with your assessment about if you make on tiny error in your registry trying to undo Windows 11, you are then seriously screwed. That is why I won't do it. I've read nightmares about what happens and I've also read that even if you do it correctly, Windows 11 pops up at you again.

So, what are we to do? For right now you can only keep pausing for 35 days. I go into the windows update 2 days before that is going to happen. You then have to click "check for updates". You'll see them start to resume in seconds. Immediately scroll down to the advanced options and delay for another 35 days. I plan on doing this until April or may when my business taxes are done. By then I'm just going to take the plunge. If after a day or two of exploring how it works, I'll either immediately roll it back to Windows 10 or stick with Windows 11. My version of Windows has end of support in May so I don't think I'll have much choice after that.

Yep. unbelievable. Like you said - no words for it. You should be able to get personal assistance to fix the mistake.

But no.

So, I'm at the same stage you are - I originally delayed it a week, then went into my settings and scrolled down to the latest date on the list which I believe was 35 days later.

It's ridiculous how many people are frustrated by the same issue as us and we are all stuck without an easy solution.

Any time you see the instructions detailing the steps of the whole process that begins with right-clicking on the Start button, selecting Run, etc., you are warned that the smallest mistake in the code could cripple your whole system. How could that be the only way to delete the download? It should not be that complicated!

What are we supposed to do here!?!?!?!

Hello Matt,

I truly feel your frustration. I do know that Microsoft has issued many more updates to Windows 11 which fixes a lot of the early bugs in the OS.

How long have you had Windows 11 on your laptop? You do have 10 days to roll it back to Windows 10 if you do not want it. From what I have read, though, you will be prompted to let Windows 11 install again, but I believe you have the option to check off "No - stay on Windows 10".

If it is passed the 10 days, I'm not quite sure what you could do other than either keep working with Windows 11 or possibly do a system restore back to before Windows 11 installed keeping in mind you will be prompted again to install it.

I'm still pausing the installation of Windows 11 every 30 days. It is so annoying that there are no words for it.