how do i stop downloading and installing windows 11

Wow what a terrible mess for all of us. I did more research on changing the registry. I'm not doing it. Some of these short term 'solutions' are really just another domino load of issues.

As it stands now, the pausing is the only option. If you have the Windows version 20H2, which I have, as I've never gotten the optional update to 21H2, Microsoft support which includes any updates was discontinued on December 14th. I just found that out today. So, I'm not too worried about receiving any updates as there won't be anymore for my version of Windows. If you do have the newer version 21H2, you will continue to get updates.

No answers so I'm staying on the pause until I can get the nerve up to let Windows 11 install and then just try to figure that operating system out. It has become obvious there is no rollback to Windows 10. You'll mess up all your previous functions/apps etc. AND you'll still get Windows 11 just downloading on it's own or installing on its own. Microsoft is bound and determined to get us all on Windows 11.

Thank you to respondents for the advice about "pausing" to stop the Windows 11 re-upgrade attempts; I am now paused to 1/28/22.

I had to rollback to Windows 10 due to unacceptable performance issues associated with disk pegged at "red" 100% Disk per Task Manager with Windows 11: one case after start up making the PC unusable for 5+ minutes even after reboots, and one case upon use of a well known email client and email with large photo attachments, some of which would not open and instead froze the computer. Rolling back to Windows 10 solved both these performance problems (I did find a workaround for the first problem in Windows 11, but not the second).

Unfortunately, not long after I rolled back to Windows 10, on the same day I was greeted with the Windows 11 update screen yet again which gives no choice but to either do the upgrade or schedule it later, Then, I read these posts, and hence I have now paused the upgrade to temporarily solve this problem.

Now I am stuck with a paused update process, and thus not getting the Windows 10 updates nor its security updates unless I investigate and apply each update, and have the annoyance of having to pause the Windows 11 update over and over again to avoid it.

(I also have a user interface concern about Windows 11. Its not directly related to this post, but it was another good reason for me to roll back to Windows 10 though I could have lived with that other concern)

HI ShoreUser, I had the same realization here. I just spent more than an hour of on-line chat with Microsoft support. At first I was directed to a third party link which had instruction for changing the registry.

https://www.pdq.com/blog/how-to-block-the-windows-11-upgrade/  Please click on the link and follow the steps. Do not click any just use the scroll down button to follow the steps.

I read the introduction and I am NOT in anyway proficient in registry so as soon as my screen differed from the example I was stuck.

Just in case this would happen I asked for further help and this link was offered but it was a 404 page. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/global-customer-service-phone-numbers-c0389ade-5640-e588-8b0e-28de8afeb3f2 Big help!!

So I searched again for the on-line chat and the rep eventually got to the point of suggesting she would do a reset. My data would be saved in windows.old and retrievable BUT I would lose my apps and she would help put them back.

I don't want any updates for my ancient Epson printer and she couldn't be sure it could be reinstalled with the old version, I would have to contact Epson. Same with my old versions of Quicken from 2011 and Quickbooks 2016. She suggested I contact the companies!

So there we were. I can contact them again and get help to re-install Windows 10.

There is no way to re-install the supposed "go back" option, Microsoft just lured us in.

She agreed my only other option is continually pushing off the updates a problem if you still want Windows 10 updates as you said.

About that, 2 days ago I could move the updates to January 31st, today I can only move them to January 28th. That seems like a whole other issue!

Good luck everyone. I shall be happy if someone finds the promised "go back" button, that surely is the answer!

Susan

Thank you to respondents for the advice about "pausing" to stop the Windows 11 re-upgrade attempts; I am now paused to 1/28/22.

I had to rollback to Windows 10 due to unacceptable performance issues associated with disk pegged at "red" 100% Disk per Task Manager with Windows 11: one case after start up making the PC unusable for 5+ minutes even after reboots, and one case upon use of a well known email client and email with large photo attachments, some of which would not open and instead froze the computer. Rolling back to Windows 10 solved both these performance problems (I did find a workaround for the first problem in Windows 11, but not the second).

Unfortunately, not long after I rolled back to Windows 10, on the same day I was greeted with the Windows 11 update screen yet again which gives no choice but to either do the upgrade or schedule it later, Then, I read these posts, and hence I have now paused the upgrade to temporarily solve this problem.

Now I am stuck with a paused update process, and thus not getting the Windows 10 updates nor its security updates unless I investigate and apply each update, and have the annoyance of having to pause the Windows 11 update over and over again to avoid it.

(I also have a user interface concern about Windows 11. Its not directly related to this post, but it was another good reason for me to roll back to Windows 10 though I could have lived with that other concern)

Merry Christmas to you Susan! Once again, not the best Christmas, but I'm always hopeful for a better year.

I am stubborn like you are in so many ways. I have read so much about downloading, pending, installing, deleting that I'll probably dream about it tonight. Makes me angry that we are powerless. On the upside, maybe in the months to come we'll look back at this Windows 11 fiasco and laugh about it. At some point, everyone will be running Windows 11.

Besides my Window 11 pause hell I'm in, since the Printer nightmare update of Sept. 14th, none of my other laptops can share my main computer. I have finally given up as of yesterday after what I read. Microsoft is not going to spend anytime on this one and the focus is now Windows 11.

Hang in there. Keep pausing.

Screwed is right, there it is again, wanting to update to Windows 11. I've used the Advanced pause till 28th January while I try to remove any trace of Windows 11.

I searched Microsoft support Canada and found phone/email/on-line chat. I used the chat and it was very quick. I will have to try again today.

I am more stubborn than smart.

I do not want to mess with the registry unless I really must.

The Staples store tech suggested I contact Microsoft who have a liability to remove this unwanted software - and to keep persisting.

I shall continue to post my progress or lack thereof!

Merry Christmas Susan