how do i stop downloading and installing windows 11

I want to jump in and say that in regards to changing your registry keys, you need to know what version of Windows 10 you are using. I was given that same advice in order to stop the installation of Windows 11. I'm not going to do that as you need to upgrade your version of Windows 10 to 21H2 version. For me, I'm running:

Edition Windows 10 Home

Version          20H2

Installed on    ‎3/‎17/‎2021

I researched and I would have to do this upgrade which I'm not going to do. In all honesty, I think the advice about changing your registry would only stop updating Window 11 updates. Not the installation of the entire new operating system. Once Windows 11 is downloaded onto your computer; pending installation, you are screwed short of disabling the updater service. I'm sticking with the pausing for 35 days at a shot until I'm ready to let it install. That way I can still get any necessary Windows 10 updates and then quickly pause the installation date of Windows 11. There is no way out of this and it appears that everything we do try to do runs the risk of messing up your computer. Most likely not worth it.

Hello johnsoderberg,

Good day! I'm John Dev a Windows user like you and I'll be happy to assist you today. I know this has been difficult for you, Rest assured, I'm going to do my best to help you.

Interrupting the upgrade process can cause your system to become unstable and not work properly. I recommend waiting for it to finish and check Kapil Arya’s guide below on How to Downgrade from Windows 11 to 10.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

Kindly let me know if this helps or if you have any further concerns.

Kind regards,

John DeV

Independent Advisor

Yes, modifying the registry is the only way to stop Windows Update from downloading and installing the Windows 11 upgrade. This article was extremely helpful to me: https://www.howtogeek.com/765377/how-to-block-the-windows-11-update-from-installing-on-windows-10/

It explains the whole process WITH screenshots. It was very simple!

Also, I believe it is important to delete Windows Update Cache. Windows itself says that it is completely safe to delete everything out of the SoftwareDistribution/Download folder. See the following YouTube video and Microsoft forum articles:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHerbmtWV6o

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/cwindowssoftwaredistributiondownload-deleting/7121844b-82bb-4a53-ad52-3a93fcfc9ffb

I restarted my computer and ran Windows update and it updated the current version of Windows 10 (21H2) and there's no sign of Windows 11 upgrade notifications. I am super pleased, however, it took WAY too much of my time to figure out this one, simple thing! Windows can be so unintuitive sometimes.

Here is where you can figure out what the latest version of Windows 10 is (this will be important for modifying the registry to update the version of Windows you want to get updates for): https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/release-information

Also, you may find it helpful to reset Windows Update. You can do so using Windows Update Troubleshooter: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-update-troubleshooter-19bc41ca-ad72-ae67-af3c-89ce169755dd

Now I'm stuck pausing it all the time. Just know you can pause it up for 35 days. The day before that date, go in and click 'check for updates'. Then, you will get a message to schedule the time to install Windows 11. Go to advanced settings and pause again for 35 days.

PortlandMT I am having the same problem and have also paused until January 24. However the temporary pause comes with a warning that "when you reach your pause limit your device will need to get new updates before you can pause again" That appears to mean Windows 11 will be installed before further pause. So frustrating, I only had it on for 3 days!!

I want to jump in and say that in regards to changing your registry keys, you need to know what version of Windows 10 you are using. I was given that same advice in order to stop the installation of Windows 11. I'm not going to do that as you need to upgrade your version of Windows 10 to 21H2 version. For me, I'm running:

Edition Windows 10 Home

Version          20H2

Installed on    ‎3/‎17/‎2021

I researched and I would have to do this upgrade which I'm not going to do. In all honesty, I think the advice about changing your registry would only stop updating Window 11 updates. Not the installation of the entire new operating system. Once Windows 11 is downloaded onto your computer; pending installation, you are screwed short of disabling the updater service. I'm sticking with the pausing for 35 days at a shot until I'm ready to let it install. That way I can still get any necessary Windows 10 updates and then quickly pause the installation date of Windows 11. There is no way out of this and it appears that everything we do try to do runs the risk of messing up your computer. Most likely not worth it.

I have Windows 10 Home 21H2 but like you I am not doing any changes to the registry at all. The only thing I have done for the moment is disable the Windows Update and I have just rolled back to Windows 10 again now and with the Update disabled it is no longer showing the update for Windows 11 so I'm praying that works. Thanks for letting me know as well.