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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

319 answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2023-01-09T16:40:50+00:00

    I just deleted everything in the Download file. Can I download windows 11 again, at a later date?

    Thank you!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2023-01-09T17:23:02+00:00

    If that is all you did, Windows 10 will on its own redownload Windows 11 again, and again, and again, so "yes".

    If you changed the registry as per the instructions, all you have to do is undo the registry change, and Windows 11 should download again.

    HOWEVER - There will probably be a time limit on the 'free upgrade' period, so you have to undo the changes before that date.

    I personally don't know the end date for it, and I don't think Microsoft has posted one yet, per the answer to the FAQ question 'How long will the free upgrade offer last' on this page; https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/get-windows-11?r=1

    But after that not-yet-announced end date, I don't think you will be able to upgrade.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2023-01-17T13:24:10+00:00

    There is no SoftwareDistribution/Download file on my windows 10??

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2023-01-17T14:00:15+00:00

    Hi Gordon,

    It has to be there. The Software Distribution folder in Windows 10/8/7 is located in the following location in File Explorer: C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2023-01-30T06:09:14+00:00

    In older versions of Windows you used to be able to right click on a file that was to be downloaded from Microsoft Updates to remove them from being available. I have a bunch of files in my Windows Update list (to be downloaded) that I don't ever want to download because they are Microsoft Office 2010 32-bit edition. I do NOT have Office 2010 installed. I have Office 2021 installed.

    How do I permanently remove them from the Updates available to install list show in Windows Update?

    I use this batch file to fix stuck updates:
    net stop wuauserv
    net stop cryptSvc
    net stop bits
    net stop msiserver
    ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
    ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
    net start wuauserv
    net start cryptSvc
    net start bits
    net start msiserver
    RD C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.old /S /Q
    RD C:\Windows\System32\Catroot2.old /S /Q
    Pause

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments