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. Anonymous
    2022-04-15T15:53:07+00:00

    Hello Lynn,

    I changed the registry to target Windows 10 version 21H2 yesterday. First thing this morning (Friday), I turned on the computer and there was the update for it.

    I just installed. Lightening fast. Everything appears to be working, but I'll know in the next few days if all is good.

    For right now, I'm on the latest version like you. Together we conquered Windows 11.

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-04-15T15:54:02+00:00

    That is so funny! I just noticed the installation date. It should say 4/15/2022.

    How strange!

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-04-15T23:54:52+00:00

    Congratulations! Now you can relax until Oct 14, 2025 and just take the normal updates.

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-04-16T10:51:19+00:00

    Thank you Lynn and PortlandMT, etc) for your on-going conversation and information.

    Over the past several months (following instructions back on Page 10 of this thread) I have been continually stopping the wuauserv process (Task Manager, Services), deleteing the files in C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution, and emptying the Wastebasket (Recycle Bin!).

    Reading the latest entries (Page 16-17 of this thread), I have just checked my version of Windows -> 21H2. I cannot remember if/when I updated (if that is the right word) to 21H2!

    I also checked the Windows Update process (Settings, Update & Security, and Activation), and low and behold, it asks if I want to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro - no longer any mention of Windows 11 [except that my PC meets the minimum specification for Windows 11, on the Windows Update page].

    So my question is: Am I correct in thinking that I no longer need to keep stopping the wuauserv process (Services, Task Manager) and deleting the files in the SoftwareDistribution directory?

    Thanks, Martin.

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  5. Anonymous
    2022-04-16T12:57:50+00:00

    Hello Martin,

    I'm glad that you have followed my experience and what Lynn went through. Sounds like you are on the right track finally.

    I never did stop the wuauserv process as I was told that is not necessary. The key was changing the registry to the target version of Windows 10 that you want; delete the files in the download folder and then restart your computer.

    I'm not an expert, but you should not have to do that any longer. You are positive you have the new version of Windows 10 which is 21H2 and that is set as the target version in your registry? If so, you should be all set as your computer would not be able to load Windows 11 on you. The registry dictates that it won't.

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