How to Cancel Windows 11 update?

Anonymous
2021-12-16T19:58:35+00:00

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.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Install and upgrade

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  1. Rodrigo Queiroz 78,620 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2021-12-16T22:57:27+00:00

    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.

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-12-16T23:55:35+00:00

    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.

    Nothing bad will happen if I delete everything I'm seeing in that file? Will the Windows 11 download start again when I restart my computer?

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  3. Rodrigo Queiroz 78,620 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2021-12-17T01:07:01+00:00

    Nothing bad will happenif you delete these files, the Windows 11 will start downloading as soon you restart the computer, but can be downloaded again in the future.

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-12-17T14:27:59+00:00

    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???

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  5. Rodrigo Queiroz 78,620 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2021-12-18T02:41:02+00:00

    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

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