How to Cancel Windows 11 update?

Thank you, JoJun, for replying. My screen looks just like yours, but with the extra things above. For some reason my computer will not do a screen shot when I am in the registry, but here are the entries from a Print to PDF save:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Security

Class Name: <NO CLASS>

Last Write Time: 3/8/2022 - 3:44 PM

Value 0

Name: OutlookSecureTempFolder

Type: REG_SZ

Data: C:\Users\Lynn'sSurfacePro\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows \INetCache\Content.Outlook\E2JVQ1K6\

Value 1

Name: InitEncrypt

Type: REG_DWORD

Data: 0x2

Value 2

Name: InitSign

Type: REG_DWORD

Data: 0x2

Value 3

Name: TargetReleaseVersion

Type: REG_DWORD

Data: 0x1

Value 4

Name: ProductVersion

Type: REG_SZ

Data: Windows 10 Value 5 Name: TargetReleaseVersionInfo Type: REG_SZ Data: 21H1

So my guess is that the items parked in Values 1 and 2 (already there before I did anything) are overriding what I have added with the instructions here and elsewhere and which show up as Value 3 and 4. The little icon with the blue letters that precedes TargetReleaseVersion is also there in front of those entries for Values 1 and 2.

Your suggestion of setting for 21H2 seems worth trying, though, so I think I will do that. Thank you again.

Hi LynnChristy. Sorry to see you're having problems.

I don't have the keys you mention. Here's a screenshot of my registry you can compare to.

I set my 'TargetReleaseVersionInfo' to '21h2', since I wanted to stay on 10 for as long as possible. From what I understand, setting an older version *can* still force you to upgrade, if that older version is out of support. My memory is hazy now, but I think I first tried setting my old version (1904?) and that didn't help.

If you don't find any differences in the registry path and keys, I'd say call Microsoft Support line and ask them to help.

I did this whole process, using my current Windows 10 21H1 in the TargetReleaseVersionInfo and all went smoothly -- except that as soon as I unpaused updates and it started looking for updates, Windows 11 download resumed. I also emptied the Download folder and even the recycle bin. Tried restarting many times. In trying to figure out what could be wrong, I did notice something: All of the new input is there on the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate page and it looks just like it does on the YouTube tutorial I also consulted that gave the same steps you do. EXCEPT, there are things above the new entries that were already there before I did anything that are also REG-DWORD entries with the same little icon that the ones I put in have. One says InitEncrypt and one says InitSign. I'm thinking maybe these override the direction to Windows 10? I don't want to delete anything, because I am strictly following step-by-step instructions and don't want to mess anything up. Anything you can tell me?

I’m sorry, LynnChristy. The REG-DWORD step is actually where I was when I decided F this I’m not risking it. I looked for alternative measures and didn’t find anything I trusted on the internet. I really don’t trust calling Microsoft over the phone. So I got stuck in the position where we are all at end of day it’s a risk/reward decision . Do it if you trust the instructions 100% and that you will execute them 100% precisely without the smallest error you could think of - a one keystroke typo, the most ill-timed, related/unrelated technical glitch on your computer occurs resulting in god knows what, anything. I don’t say that sarcastically either - if you are confident you can do it and it’s worth the risk to you, then do it. I’m sure there may be people out there that think we are being overly cautious, paranoid, neurotic, whatever. If you say screw it and try, there’s definitely a chance you get through the instructions successfully and you’re out of the woods. Like I said, it’s risk/reward. Everybody’s different. I, personally, am very confident I am capable of doing it. But I also know there’s that chance something goes wrong and I exponentially compound my problem. I just think I’d be nuts to risk making some error that cripples my OS (granted that may be a worst case scenario, but it’s certainly possible if you just go buy the words of the tech advisors on here - they are the ones who advise extreme caution); therefore, being diligent about postponing the stupid update is the better option for me imo. I hate it. I think it is totally ridiculous and unfair. Historically, new OS’s take a year to fine-tune the diagnostics and fix all the bugs and adjust it according to the users’ feedback.

Like Portland said our best bet is “some brilliant tech guy” bestows a “magic answer” upon us after seeing how much we are bothered by this.

Another thing Portland - yes there are worse things in life to worry about but this is the Microsoft complaint blog - we’re not in Ukraine or some place where there’s obviously much more serious social issues to discuss.

MICROSOFT - IT WOULD BE NICE IF THERE WERE A SJMPLE WAY WE COULD GET HELP WITH OUR COMPUTER ISSUES!

I did this whole process, using my current Windows 10 21H1 in the TargetReleaseVersionInfo and all went smoothly -- except that as soon as I unpaused updates and it started looking for updates, Windows 11 download resumed. I also emptied the Download folder and even the recycle bin. Tried restarting many times. In trying to figure out what could be wrong, I did notice something: All of the new input is there on the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate page and it looks just like it does on the YouTube tutorial I also consulted that gave the same steps you do. EXCEPT, there are things above the new entries that were already there before I did anything that are also REG-DWORD entries with the same little icon that the ones I put in have. One says InitEncrypt and one says InitSign. I'm thinking maybe these override the direction to Windows 10? I don't want to delete anything, because I am strictly following step-by-step instructions and don't want to mess anything up. Anything you can tell me?

Welcome to the pausing group. Once Windows 11 is there, there is no option but to either pause or let it install and roll back again to Windows 11.

"Yes. I have also read that the rollback is a total disaster. So for now I am still in the camp that must continually pause updates."

In reply to both of you and probably others...

--->Yup. Here we all are. This is where everyone seems to wind up no matter what they try. I'm sorry you guys and others are dealing with this unnecessary frustration and I'd say 'hey at least we're not alone.' But who really cares? How does that help us? This sucks and creates anxiety that I do not need - so, so help me god if it actually does end up screwing with my work or school in any way. Bc having to worry about it in the back of my mind is ridiculous enough